San Francisco Custody & Visitation Lawyers

In a custody order, the court will make a decision on both physical and legal custody. Physical custody refers to which parent the child is living with at any given time. Legal custody refers to the right to make decisions about the health, education, and welfare of the child.

Additionally, the court will make a decision on whether the parents have joint (shared) or sole custody. Child custody can be awarded in a number of ways:

Because of California’s interest in the welfare of minor children, the court always has jurisdiction to make or change custody orders, even after a divorce is finalized. In fact, changes to custody agreements are quite common as children become older and families change.

The decision to modify an existing custody order will depend on whether the previous order was a temporary order or a final order. If the previous custody order is a temporary order, the court will determine what would be in the best interest of the child. If the previous custody order is a final order, the court will determine whether there has been a sufficient change in circumstances that so affects the child that modification is necessary to the child’s welfare.

Such changes in circumstances include (but are by no means limited to):

• Change/proposed change in residence of one of the parents. (This may require a motion for a “move-away order”)
• The desire of an older child to increase or decrease visitation
• Alteration of the child’s school schedule
• Evidence of child abuse

Our attorneys are experts in handling custody and visitation cases, and work dedicatedly to ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your children.

• We are skilled at assisting our clients as they attempt to establish or disprove parentage, both in the process of a divorce or between unmarried parents.

• We use our knowledge of the law and expertise to assist you in coming up with the best possible custody arrangements for your children.

• We create the right strategies to help ensure your rights as a parent.

We are a full-service family law firm with experience litigating and negotiating complex divorces and domestic partnership dissolutions in California since 2009.

• We understand more than family law: From analysing dividing stock options and restricted stock to untangling limited partnership interests and even working with a forensic accountant, we effectively support our clients in the high-asset landscapes of the Bay Area.
• We’re well-versed in custody matters: Our strategies are all about your children’s best interests, including helping you and your partner become successful co-parents when possible.
• When we say team, we mean it: We review client cases at weekly roundtable strategy sessions; this ensures that our clients receive the best possible solutions for their complex situations.
• We are straightforward with our clients: We tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Our attorneys answer your questions before, throughout and even after the journey of your case.

Whether it’s a simple asset division, a basic custody agreement, or more intricate matters like dividing stock options, limited partnership interests, or a contested custody dispute, we develop creative strategies to meet every goal. Our premier divorce lawyers have a strong record of courtroom success and negotiated settlements.