Glendale Joint Custody of Children Lawyer
Glendale Joint Custody of Children Attorney
When two parents separate in California while sharing children, a child custody agreement must be made in order to distinguish how parental responsibilities will be shared moving forward. For many parents navigating custody disputes, joint custody of children is the preferred outcome, as this allows their child to maintain a relationship with both parents. A Glendale joint custody of children lawyer can help you navigate custody proceedings and secure an optimal outcome.
About the Law Offices of Patricia Rigdon
The Law Offices of Patricia Rigdon has been serving residents of Los Angeles and beyond since 2012. Our founding attorney, Patricia Rigdon, has devoted her career to family law and has assisted countless families in securing custody agreements that help them feel comfortable and confident for their future. When you’re looking to create a joint custody agreement in Glendale, don’t wait to see how the Law Offices of Patricia Rigdon can help.
Understanding the Different Kinds of Custody in California
With nearly 23.5 million minor children in the U.S living in single-parent households, it may seem like joint custody is hard to obtain. However, it is important to distinguish the types of custody you may be able to receive and how they may be split.
Physical custody in Glendale refers to a parent’s ability to have their child live or visit them, requiring them to provide for their basic needs if they have custody. Legal custody, however, discusses the rights of a parent to make decisions on their child’s behalf, such as where they go to school or what kind of medical care they receive.
Both physical and legal custody can be split between parents in a joint custody agreement, or allocated to a single parent in a sole custody agreement. Joint custody means parents share a mixture of legal and physical custody and allows both parents to stay involved in their child’s life. Local Glendale family courts often aim to create joint custody agreements whenever possible, as it is considered to be in the best interests of the children involved.
What Factors Are Considered When Creating Custody Agreements in California?
When dividing physical and legal custody, a family judge must consider a wide range of factors that prioritize a child’s best interests. While joint legal custody can be a simple split of responsibilities, determining how to split physical custody can be more difficult. IF parents are unable to make a decision on their own about splitting custody, a family judge will look at factors such as:
- Parental Fitness: Family courts look at a parent’s financial stability, history of substance abuse, income, contact history with their child, and other factors to gauge how fit they are to hold physical custody. You are more likely to gain majority custody if you have a history of attentive parenting and physical care.
- Child’s Preference: Children may have a say in where they want to live in Glendale if they are mature enough and understand the weight of their decision. However, the child’s best interests can override preference based on a judge’s decision.
- Parental Availability: Parents with busy work schedules may be awarded less physical custody than the other parent. However, reduced time-share does not equal a lesser ability to care for a child.
Why Should You Hire a Joint Custody of Children Lawyer in Glendale?
Whether you just filed for divorce or you’ve been involved in an aggressive child custody dispute for months, it’s essential that you hire a family lawyer in Glendale who can help you achieve your goals. Child custody cases in California are among the most contentious, emotional, and complex family law matters. When you partner with a skilled family lawyer like Patricia Rigdon, you can trust that your child’s rights and your goals will be advocated for.
Patricia Rigdon and her team work tirelessly to help families create legal agreements that bring them peace of mind. She has experience managing cases involving mediation and collaboration, and also has the litigation experience needed to represent you at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
FAQs About Glendale, CA Joint Custody of Children Law
Is Joint Custody Always Split Equally in California?
While legal custody is often split 50/50 in a joint custody case, physical custody arrangements can vary depending on the unique circumstances of your case. A family judge can split physical custody equally or grant one parent more time, depending on what is best for the child. For example, one parent may have custody during the school year while the other has the children during the summer.
How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost in Glendale?
There are multiple factors that can influence the cost of a child custody lawyer in Glendale. While most lawyers charge hourly fees or flat rates, there may be additional court fees and payments you need to keep in mind. The complexity of your case, whether it’s contentious, and how long it takes to settle, can all impact how much you pay. A skilled family lawyer can give you a better idea of potential costs when you schedule an initial consultation with them.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid in a Custody Battle in California?
When going through a custody battle in California, it’s imperative that you remain level-headed and do not have any outbursts. Yelling in court, using foul language, or being rude to a judge can all negatively impact your case. Additionally, talking poorly about your co-parent or prioritizing your own needs over your child can impact your case greatly.
When Is Sole Custody Awarded in a Child Custody Case in California?
Because it is the duty of family courts to make sure a child’s best interests are prioritized during family law matters, joint custody tends to be more common than sole custody. However, there are certain cases where a local judge may feel that sole custody is better for the child. This can occur when there is a history of substance abuse, domestic violence, or a lack of a relationship with the child in question.
Hire a Joint Custody of Children Lawyer Today
The Law Offices of Patricia Rigdon can help you work toward a fair joint custody agreement with your co-parent in Glendale. Contact the firm today to get started.
Serving Glendale and the Greater Los Angeles Area
When your family faces the challenges of divorce, custody disputes, or other family law matters in Glendale or throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, you need an attorney who understands that preserving your family’s financial resources and emotional well-being is just as important as achieving favorable legal outcomes. Patricia A. Rigdon, Esq., CFLS, practices exclusively in family law and has dedicated her career to finding creative solutions that resolve conflicts without unnecessary court battles—allowing families to invest their resources in rebuilding their lives rather than funding endless litigation.
Based in Southern California and serving Glendale and surrounding communities, Patricia brings both Certified Family Law Specialist credentials and a comprehensive approach to family conflict resolution. Whether through skilled negotiation, mediation, collaborative family law, or vigorous courtroom advocacy when necessary, she tailors her strategy to each client’s unique circumstances and goals. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: exhaust every reasonable avenue for resolution before resorting to costly court intervention, but when talking no longer works and alternative dispute resolution isn’t appropriate, she becomes a fierce advocate ready to be your voice before the judge.
Whether you’re navigating a high-net-worth divorce involving complex asset division, fighting for custody of your children, seeking modification of existing orders, protecting your interests through a prenuptial agreement, or addressing any family law matter in Glendale, partnering with a Certified Family Law Specialist who prioritizes keeping your precious financial resources within your family while still being fully prepared to litigate aggressively when necessary can be the difference between draining your savings on attorney fees and achieving efficient, lasting resolutions that serve your family’s best interests.
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The mediation process provides a more peaceful alternative to fighting about your personal issues in court. Read more to see if divorce mediation is right for you.
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Litigation in the divorce process involves submitting issues to family court in order to resolve them with the assistance of a judge, if both parties cannot reach an agreement in other ways. Read more to see if Divorce Litigation will be needed.