Del Mar Child Custody and Visitation Attorneys

Dedicated to Helping You Navigate Sensitive Del Mar Custody and Visitation Matters

The outcome of a child custody or visitation case can have a profound impact on your life, and the life of your child. These are often highly emotional situations, which is why it is important to hire an experienced family law attorney to advise and guide you every step of the way. At Mattis Law, A.P.C., our Del Mar family law attorney is experienced in taking on some of the most difficult cases and has an excellent record in child custody matters. Call our law office today at (858) 328-4400 to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about what we could do to help you resolve these important issues.

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Different Types of Child Custody

There are two main types of child custody – legal custody and physical custody – and, within each of these categories, there are additional options available.

• Legal Custody: Legal custody refers to a parent’s right to make certain crucial decisions for their child, including those related to education, medical treatment, and overall welfare. A judge may order either joint legal custody, allowing both parents to make these important decisions, or sole legal custody, which gives that right exclusively to one parent.
• Physical Custody: Physical custody refers to the parent with whom the child will reside or spend most of their time. A judge may order joint physical custody, sole physical custody, or primary physical custody, depending on what they decide is in the child’s best interests. Generally, even in cases where sole physical custody is granted to a parent, the other may still be given visitation rights. In most cases, family courts believe it is best for a child if both parents continue to be involved in their upbringing.

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Important Factors in Determining Child Custody

Child-related decisions, including custody and visitation, are always based on the child’s best interests. To determine what is best for a child, a judge will consider a range of factors, including:

• The child’s age
• The child’s health
• Where the child attends school
• How involved the child is within their community
• The emotional relationship the child has with each parent
• Each parent’s ability to care for the child
• Each parent’s wishes
• The living accommodations of each parent
• Which parent has provided most of the child’s care
• If either parent has a history of substance abuse or domestic violence

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How Do Visitation Agreements Work?

Generally, parents comply with their custody or visitation orders. Even if your child wants to skip a visitation, it is a parent’s obligation to make a child reasonably available for visits. However, if you believe your ex is trying to deny you your rights, our Del Mar family law attorney could help enforce them. Before taking legal action, however, check in with your co-parent to assess if you believe your ex is intentionally keeping your child away from you.

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Discuss Your Child Custody Case with a Skilled Del Mar Family Law Attorney Today!

If you are dealing with child custody or visitation matters, experienced legal help is essential. At Mattis Law, A.P.C., our Del Mar child custody attorney was named among the 10 Best Female Family Law Attorneys 2020 and is known for taking on even the most challenging cases. She also has an excellent track record in handling child custody, parental alienation, and move-away cases. We invite you to speak with us and find out if we could provide the help you need during this difficult time. Call our office today at (858) 328-4400 to schedule a free initial consultation, so you can discuss the details of your case and learn more about what we could do to resolve a child custody matter.

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