California Child Custody Laws

Considering Divorce? We've helped 85 clients find attorneys today.

Full Name

Full Name is required

Email

Email is required

Please add a valid Email

Phone

Phone Number is required

Please enter a valid Phone Number

Zip Code

Zip Code is required

Please add a valid Zip Code

Description is required

By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

If you have children in California and aren’t living with the other parent—because you’re getting divorced, are already divorced, or were never married—you should understand how the state’s laws on child custody apply to you. Custody includes both legal custody—the right to make important decisions affecting children’s health, education, and welfare—as well as physical custody—where children will live most of the time and how much time they’ll spend with the other parent.

Even when a judge has issued custody orders—which might be based on the parents’ agreement—those orders aren’t set in stone. Circumstances change, and divorced parents might need to go back to court to seek a change (modification) in the current parenting arrangement. This especially becomes an issue when one parent wants to move far away with the kids. Parents may also have to go back to court to enforce current custody orders. California law addresses all of these issues.

California Child Custody Basics

California Child Custody Laws

California courts award custody of children based on the "best interests of the child" standard. Here's how it works.
Parental Alienation and Child Custody in California

Child custody disputes are stressful on clients, attorneys, judges and, most importantly, the children. Custody cases can be expensive to litigate and often involve one or more mental health practitioners. And, in severely damaged relationships between spouses, another party to the family relationship – the child – usually suffers the most from the parents’ continued battles.

Visitation Rights & Custody Modification

Parenting Plans in California

When parents divorce - or separate if they were never married - they will need to make difficult decisions about the care and custody of their minor children. This article provides a basic overview of parenting plans and highlights some important factors to consider when creating them.
Enforcing Child Custody and Visitation Orders in California

Find out how child custody and visitation rights can be modified in California.

Child Relocation Issues

Move Away Cases in California

Often, after a separation or divorce, parents decide to move because they can no longer to afford to live in the same city, for a new job opportunity, or so they can be closer to extended family for financial or emotional support.

More Legal Topics

California Property Division Laws

Considering Divorce?

Talk to a Divorce attorney.

We've helped 85 clients find attorneys today.

Full Name

Full Name is required

Email

Email is required

Please add a valid Email

Phone

Phone Number is required

Please enter a valid Phone Number

Zip Code

Zip Code is required

Please add a valid Zip Code

Description is required

By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

How It Works

Briefly tell us about your case
Provide your contact information
Choose attorneys to contact you