Child Custody | San Diego Family Law Blog - Part 9
Custody Agreements and COVID-19 Vaccinations
As the COVID-19 pandemic nears its second year, we are hopeful that the new vaccines will finally bring lockdown to an end and allow Californians to go back to a sense of normalcy. For many older individuals and those who are immunocompromised, a vaccine is necessary to withstand the full brunt of COVID-19. But for divorced parents, vaccinations may be a difficult subject to agree on, especially if one parent does not believe in them.
School’s Role in Your Child’s Custody
It’s a part of nearly every parent’s life: taking your children to school. We don’t think much about it, but maybe we need to start. Controversy has boiled up around certain policies that schools have in place for how they manage parental pickups, in particular, when the parents are divorced.read more
How to Respond to Parental Alienation
No one will tell you that sharing joint custody with an ex is a cakewalk, but disputes between the parents should never impact their relationships with the children.
The Modern “Move-Away” Family
American family life has rapidly evolved in the past few decades. At one time in the not-too-distant past, it was expected that a husband and wife would make their home in a community and remain there as they raised their children. As divorce rates increased, so did the break-up of the nuclear family, dispersing parents and children across cities, states, and sometimes countries.read more
Can a Visitation Parent Ask to Move to Another State With the Child?
Maintaining a visitation schedule while also juggling the demands of work, health, and your relationships can be difficult for a divorced parent. Parents with visitation often have to fight hard to maintain relationships with their children and prove their commitment to the court-ordered visitation plan.
Here’s the Story of a Lovely Lady…
We are all familiar with The Brady Bunch, the beloved television show from the ‘60s. The story is delightfully set up in the opening by its catchy theme song—you might be humming it in your head right now. The complicated family dynamic of a father of three boys one day meeting the mother of three girls, hitting it off, and ultimately becoming one big happy family may have been a lot to take for 1960’s John Q. Citizen, but today, remarriage and blended families are common.
Unfortunately, that tends to complicate things if the partners go their separate ways.read more
When Should You Consider Hiring an Expert Witness in Your Child Custody Case?
Considering several relevant factors leading up to a final decision, a family court judge presiding over a child custody case in California must rule with what is in the best interest of the children. When both parents agree on a child custody arrangement, this saves a lot of grief associated with the process. In other situations, bitter disputes unfortunately arise, and you might want to consider hiring a child custody expert witness.
Your Children Are Coming With Us
The following fictional scenario is a real one that many San Diego families face. If you find yourself in a similar situation, please don’t wait – call a child custody lawyer immediately.
In February of 2015, Cassie noticed that her daughter, 13-month-old Hannah, was not putting any weight on her left leg. read more
Using an Evidentiary Hearing to Your Advantage
A child custody case can weigh heavily on your shoulders as you work to maintain your relationship with your child, whether it is through a custody plan or visitation. Most parents simply want to continue being a part of their children’s lives after a divorce, but if the other parent is combative or dismissive of their interests, it can lead to a high-conflict custody battle. If you attempt to file a motion to gain custody or modify your agreement, then the other parent will likely request an evidentiary hearing. An evidentiary hearing may sound intimidating, but out attorneys at Mattis Law, A.P.C. can explain what you need to know about them and how to prepare for one.
The Key to a Stress-Free Holiday? Maybe
Despite our best intentions, the holiday season seems to catch most folks by surprise. Many of us negotiate with ourselves each year and say things like, “This year I’m not making it a big deal,” and “Just gifts for the kids,” which turns into “Just gifts for the little kids.” All of this ultimately leads to the frantic final days where our best-laid plans get thrown out the window. Mad dashes to grocery stores and packed malls ensue.read more