California Child Custody Mediators

Securing Your Child’s Best Interests through Mediation

Child custody is easily one of the most contentious aspects of any divorce. After a couple decide to separate, their relationships with their children are almost always a primary concern. They may disagree on who should have primary custody, or about how much visitation each person should have.

Are you and your spouse trying to establish a child custody agreement that works for both parents and, most importantly, the best interests of the child? Our team of child custody mediation attorneys can help.

Contact Alternative Divorce Solutions today at (949) 558-2624 to schedule your free consultation and find out how we can assist your family through this change.

Child Custody Mediation – Helping Achieve a Custody Agreement that Works for Everyone

Our child custody lawyers understand well the struggle and emotional weight that comes with divorce of any kind, but in particular those that involve children. It is important to us that we be able to help our clients come to a mutually beneficial agreement that protects each parent’s rights and gives children a sense of stability and allows them to maintain a loving and healthy relationship with each parent.

Our child custody attorneys provide clients with information on custody matters of all kinds, including:

• Custody mediation
• Parenting plans
• Custody rights
• Parent relocation
• Post-judgment modifications
• Enforcement

How is Child Custody Determined in California?

Child custody in California is determined based on the best interests of the child. This is decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances involved. Some factors used to evaluate each case include:

• The health and age of the child
• The relationship the child has with each parent
• Each parent’s ability to care for the child
• The child’s involvement within school and the community
• Whether or not there is a history of substance abuse
• Whether or not there is a history of domestic violence

If you have further questions about how custody is determined in California, do not hesitate to contact our child custody law firm.

How Co-Parenting Works

When parents decide on a joint custody arrangement, both parties agree that they will consult in advance on important issues such as religion, education, healthcare, and recreation to ensure that these issues do not cause friction later. Benefits of this shared arrangement include greater freedom and flexibility in your schedule, such as for socialization. However, it can certainly take time and practice to implement rules and disciplinary measures that are consistent across both households.

The key to making this system work is advance planning. Our child custody attorneys can help you and your co-parent build an agreement that outlines activities, establishes methods of sharing information, and provides tools for problem solving and addressing major decisions.

The Custody Mediation Process

Our child custody mediation process is designed with three primary goals in mind:

• To build a parenting plan, tailored to the family’s needs, that is in the best interests of the children
• To create a plan that gives children time to build and maintain meaningful relationships with both parents
• To help parents address and move beyond feelings of resentment or anger

There are of course cases in which parents are unable to meet and create their parenting plan face to face. In these situations, there are alternative options for child custody dispute resolution. No matter what your situation is, it is critical to have a committed legal advocate to help you navigate these complex matters.

Grandparents’ Rights After Divorce

When a divorce happens, grandparents are often unexpected victims when their ability to see their grandchildren is compromised. At Alternative Divorce Solutions, our team of skilled attorney-mediators can help you to closely examine your circumstances and guide you to the resolution that works best for your family.

In California, grandparents may legally file for visitation under several circumstances, including:

• If the grandchild does not live with either parent
• If the grandchild’s married parents live separately
• If a parent has disappeared or their whereabouts are unknown
• If the grandchild was adopted by a step-parent

Guardianship vs. Adoption

The primary difference between guardianship and adoption is whether or not the child’s birth parents maintain parental rights. With guardianship, parents will keep some measure of parental rights and may petition the court for reasonable contact with their child. Adoption, however, ends the birth parents’ parental rights permanently, and the adoptive parents take on all rights and responsibilities.

Additionally, the court can bring an end to the guardianship if the situation changes substantially, whereas adoption is permanent.

Have further questions? Ready to get started on your child custody case? Call our child custody mediation lawyers at (949) 558-2624 today!