Brentwood Child Custody Lawyer

Child custody decisions are the most important decisions made in a family law case. They are also some of the most contentious. Whether you and your child’s other parent were married or not, determining legal custody and visitation schedules is challenging and best handled with the assistance of a Brentwood child custody lawyer.

At Fernandez & Karney, our Brentwood child custody attorneys diligently represent both fathers and mothers. Our attorneys are:

• Seasoned child custody attorneys with negotiation, mediation, and trial experience
• Aggressive defenders of parental rights and children’s best interests
• Respected and successful members of the legal community

To arrange an initial child custody consultation, please call Fernandez & Karney in Brentwood or contact our firm by email. We will promptly respond to your message.

Let Our Brentwood Child Custody Attorneys Help You

With the help of a child custody attorney from Fernandez & Karney, you can rest assured that all the legal complexities of your child custody case will be handled correctly and efficiently.  Our Brentwood child custody lawyers have the skills and knowledge necessary to negotiate or litigate the most complicated child custody matters.

At Fernandez & Karney, we strive to minimize delays in your case while also:

• Preparing trial-ready arguments to support your position
• Avoiding ambiguous language and other mistakes in court orders that could mean repeat trips to court
• Finalizing corresponding matters like child support calculations
• Reducing your stress by managing all of the legal aspects of your child custody case
• Finding solutions to your child custody problems that are manageable and practical

Finding the correct representation is the first crucial step in any Brentwood child custody matter. Let Fernandez & Karney develop a unique strategy to meet your child custody needs and concerns.

Determining Child Custody Arrangements in Brentwood

The family court prefers parents to make their own child custody and visitation schedules whenever possible.  Parents who cannot agree on a schedule will have one imposed on them by the court. The court has a wide degree of discretion when making child custody decisions.  When determining what custody arrangement is in the best interest of a child, the court considers several factors.  

These include:

• The health, safety, and welfare of the child (Fam. Code § 3011(a)(1))
• The desires of the child (beginning at age 14) (Fam. Code § 3042)
• The stability of each parent
• Any history of domestic violence or abuse by either parent (Fam. Code § 3020(a), § 3011(a)(2)(A), § 3044)
• Habitual illegal use of controlled substances and abuse of alcohol or prescription drugs by either parent (Fam. Code § 3011(a)(4))
• Each parent’s ability to care for the child
• The nature and amount of contact the child currently has with each parent (Fam. Code § 3011(a)(3))
• The family court may make any orders regarding the custody of a child during the child’s minority that seem necessary or proper (Fam. Code § 3022) if the parents cannot agree in child custody mediation

The court does not consider the sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation of a parent when making child custody determinations.

Two Types of Child Custody in Brentwood

There are two types of child custody in Brentwood, California. These are legal custody and physical custody. While legal custody refers to the right and responsibility to decide a child’s welfare, health, and education, physical custody refers to where a child resides.

Parents may share legal and physical custody jointly, or one parent may have sole custody of a child. Parents who share joint legal custody each have the right to make significant decisions about a child’s welfare but need not agree on every decision.

Although parents may share physical custody of a child, this does not necessarily mean their time is split equally. Joint physical custody is when a child spends a substantial amount of time with each parent.  

In a sole physical custody situation, there is most likely a visitation order in place for the non-custodial parent.

Contact an Experienced Brentwood Child Custody Attorney

As a parent, it is vital you know and understand how California’s child custody laws apply to your and your children. Learn about these laws and their effect on your circumstances by contacting a Brentwood child custody lawyer at Fernandez & Karney.  

At Fernandez & Karney, we can assist you with any custody-related matter, including adoption, guardianship, paternity, divorce, and legal separation. Do not hesitate to schedule your confidential consultation with a child custody professional in Brentwood today.