Child Custody | San Diego Family Law Blog
What Counts as an Emergency in San Diego Child Custody Cases?
Child custody issues are often emotionally charged, but not every conflict qualifies as a legal emergency. If you believe your child is in immediate danger or at risk of being removed from the state without permission, you may need to act quickly. But it’s important to remember that in California, emergency child custody orders are only granted in certain urgent situations.read more
A Marriage and Family Law Attorney’s Guide to Custody for Unmarried Parents in La Jolla
When a relationship between unmarried parents ends, questions around custody, parenting time, and paternity rights can get complicated. Unmarried parents face different legal steps than married couples when it comes to establishing custody.read more
A Lawyer’s Guide to Navigating Mandatory Custody Mediation in San Diego
When parents argue about custody issues, it’s hard on everyone involved, especially the children. To help resolve these disputes, courts in San Diego County require parents to participate in custody mediation through Family Court Services (FCS) before appearing in front of a judge. This process is unlike mediation in many other jurisdictions; it’s mandatory, ordered by the court, and it plays an important role in the court’s decision. read more
Top Co-Parenting Schedules for Toddlers in San Diego
Creating the right toddler parenting plan is one of the most challenging aspects of co-parenting after a divorce or separation. Toddlers thrive on routine, predictability, and secure attachments, which can make structuring shared parenting time especially delicate during these early years.
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San Diego Custody Modification Laws: What Qualifies as a Change?
Parenting plans created during divorce or legal separation are intended to provide stability for children and predictability for parents. But over time, changes in a child’s needs, a parent’s schedule, or other significant circumstances may require an update to a custody agreement.read more
When One Parent Opposes Grandparent Visits in San Diego
Family relationships are complex, especially when they intersect with California custody laws. When a parent opposes grandparent visitation in San Diego, it creates legal and emotional tension that requires a careful balance between parental rights and the interests of the child.read more
Understanding the Impact of Troxel v. Granville on Grandparent Rights
In family law, few cases have had as lasting an effect on the balance between parental rights and third-party interests as Troxel v. Granville. This 2000 U.S. Supreme Court decision reshaped the way courts approach grandparent visitation rights by affirming the fundamental liberty interest of parents to direct the upbringing of their children.
For grandparents in San Diego seeking visitation or custody, the Troxel v. Granville California impact continues to define legal boundaries.read more
How a Child’s Preference Impacts Custody in San Diego
When families go through divorce or separation in California, one of the most sensitive issues is child custody. In many cases, both parents want significant time with the child.
But what happens when the child has their own preference? In San Diego, courts consider a child’s wishes, but only under specific conditions outlined in California law. The child’s age and level of maturity are a major factor that courts take into account in these situations.read more
How to Rotate Holiday Parenting Time for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas in La Jolla: A Guide to Custody Schedules
For many families, holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas carry special meaning. These traditions bring comfort, continuity, and joy for children. But when parents are separated or divorced, deciding how to share these holidays can be one of the most challenging parts of a custody arrangement.read more
What Happens When Divorced Parents Can’t Agree on a School in La Jolla?
Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. Families weigh factors like academic reputation, extracurricular opportunities, and proximity to your home.
But for divorced parents, the decision can become complicated, especially when parents share legal custody. School disputes may come to a head right before critical enrollment deadlines for junior high or high school, leaving little time to resolve disagreements.read more