CALIFORNIA

CHILD CUSTODY and SUPPORT

When you are going through a divorce as a parent

child custody and support issues are going to be important.

In this presentation we will look at some basic information that you need to know.

CHILD CUSTODY

The matter of child custody does not fit

under a single umbrella.

1

•Legal Custody

2

•Physical Custody

There are two distinct types of custody that must be considered:

Legal Custody

Legal custody is oftentimes going to be

shared by both parents.

This type of custody gives a parent the

power to make decisions that are relevant to the welfare of the child.

These would include

educational and health-related

decisions.

Physical Custody

Physical custody is for the most part self-explanatory. This form of custody involves the

child's physical place of residence.

With a joint physical custody arrangement the child would spend a relatively equal amount of time living

with each parent.

Primary physical custody would involve the child residing with one parent. The other parent would generally have visitation rights.

WHO GETS CUSTODY?

Custody arrangements can be agreed upon by both parents with the best interests of the children in mind.

If the parents simply cannot come to an agreement the court will be forced to make

custody decisions.

CHILD SUPPORT

Under California law

both parents of a child are responsible

for his or her financial support.

Either party may be required to pay child support to the other.

However, in most cases the custodial parent will be the recipient

of child support payments.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

The amount of child support that must be paid is calculated based on a

rather complex formula.

This formula is partially based on the income that is earned by each individual.

This formula is partially based on the income that is earned by each individual.

The other factor is the percentage of time that the child

spends residing with each parent.

Child Support Agreements

The divorcing parents can come to a

private agreement with regard to child support payments.

However, to protect the well-being of

the child the court must approve of this agreement.

This is a very brief overview. If you are going through a divorce as a

parent you would do well to discuss everything with a licensed attorney.

Our Walnut Creek divorce attorneys offer free consultations to people in and

around Contra Costa County.

Our Walnut Creek divorce attorneys offer free consultations to people in and

around Contra Costa County.

Give us a call at (925) 314-2320 or visit our website at www.FamilyLawGroup.com to request an appointment.Give us a call at (925) 314-2320 or visit our website at www.FamilyLawGroup.com to request an appointment.