Mother & Daughter Legal Team
Visitation
With 70 years of combined experience, you can trust that your case is in good hands.
Visitation Schedules in California
Torrance Child Custody & Visitation Firm Serving the South Bay Since 1977
Many children split their time between both parents following a divorce. Decisions regarding child custody arrangements must be made and agreed upon by both parents before the divorce is finalized. If there is a dispute over which parent should have custody, and this disagreement reaches the litigation stage, a judge in a California family court will ultimately determine the outcome.
Types of Custody in California
California Family Code § 3020 requires the court to decree custody and visitation orders based on the health, safety, and welfare of the child. The court will look at your family's unique situation and then lay out a plan that best assures the interests of the child.
There are two separate types of custody that the court can grant:
Legal custody gives a parent the right to make important decisions for the child, including choices pertaining to health and education.
Physical custody pertains to which parent a child lives with and the daily parenting responsibilities which come along with that.
The state of California prefers to grant joint legal and physical custody whenever possible because it has been demonstrated that the best interests of the child are best met when both parents are involved in their upbringing. Sometimes, however, this is not possible. One parent may not be safe for the child to live with, whether because of a history of domestic violence or drug and / or alcohol abuse. If you believe that your child is not safe with his or her other parent, it is important to retain the services of a Torrance divorce lawyer who can help you make a case as to why the judge should grant you sole legal and physical custody in order to protect your child.
Visitation Rights in California
The "primary custodial parent" is the parent who cares for the child more than half of the time. The parent with visitation rights is the parent who cares for the child less than half of the time. Visitation schedules vary widely. Every family is different. What works for your friend or co-worker may not work for your family. In one common schedule, noncustodial parents see their child every other weekend in addition to major holidays or school breaks on a bi-annual basis.
Can Child Support/Visitation Be Changed?
If circumstances have changed since your divorce, you may want to discuss the process of modifying existing orders with your attorney. Court decrees regarding custody or child support are not set in stone - they can be changed or adapted as your situation changes or your child ages. In fact, our attorneys recommend re-examining your court orders every year just to make sure that they are still serving their intended purpose and meeting your child's needs. For example, it may be several years since your separation, and your teenager's current school schedule or part-time job does not allow him or her to maintain a previous visitation schedule.
If your child's situation or needs have altered since the original orders were issued, it may be a good idea to rework your current custody plan in order to better meet your child's needs. A child custody attorney from our firm can help you determine the best way to modify a parenting time schedule. If you or your spouse are moving, we can discuss the repercussions and risks of relocation cases. Together, we can work to decide the best way for you to address move-away orders from a California family court.
Call a Torrance Child Custody Lawyer from Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation!
There is no reason to hesitate if you have questions about visitation rights or child custody. Receive answers to your questions today by consulting a legal professional at Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation who has served California families since 1977. These are not insignificant issues: They impact your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
We understand how important these issues are to you. Colleen & Patricia Barberis are a mother-daughter legal team committed to pursuing the best interests of our clients. Whether you are facing an upcoming divorce or are interested in modifying former custody decrees, we are prepared to be your best advocate and to serve you and your child in your unique circumstance.
I couldn't have chosen a better law team to represent my family and me. Everyone in the office treats us with love and care, ensuring that I understand everything that is happening. You are a wonderful, loyal person, and you are also an excellent, caring, and highly professional lawyer. Words cannot express how grateful I am for all you have done. I did not want the day to pass without thanking you again for your work today.
Mikki D.
“I thank them for their excellence”
Pat, Colleen, and the team helped me through a very difficult custody issue many years ago, so I called them again when I needed to divorce. I thank them for their excellence, efficiency, and a successful settlement!
Shireen C.
“Colleen was by my side”
Divorce can be very difficult, expensive and stressful. You need someone to talk to that could lead you in the right direction when you’re ready. Colleen was the right person to do that. She and Pat Barberis are the team that made me feel protected when I was the most vulnerable early in the divorce process. They were patient with me and Colleen was by my side in court when I really needed in person representation before the court.
C.D.
“I would strongly recommend Pat”
Pat helped me with my divorce, which was a difficult time for me. She was fantastic, helping me through the whole process. She worked very hard to ensure it was as positive an outcome for me as possible.
When I turned to her for some legal advice just recently, several years after my divorce, I was able to set up a consultation with her that same day. She worked through the situation with me, understanding it and providing me with options that could be pursued, and giving me very solid advice. I would never hesitate to engage her again if the need arose. I would strongly recommend Pat for any family law needs you might have.
Joseph R.
“Pat Barberis is fabulous!”
Pat helped me with my divorce previously, which was a very difficult time for me. She was fantastic, helping me through the whole process. She worked very hard to ensure it was as positive an outcome for me as possible. When I turned to her for some legal advice just recently, several years after my divorce, I was able to set up a consultation with her that same day. She worked through the situation with me, understanding the it and providing me with options that could be pursued, and giving me very solid advice. I would never hesitate to engage her again if the need arose. I would strongly recommend Pat for any family law needs you might have.
Joe
“Thank you so much”
Pat did a phenomenal job throughout my high conflict divorce. She will communicate all your options to you, she will advocate for you and fight for you, and she is so knowledgeable--her amount of expertise will put your mind at ease. She would be so prompt with all communications that if I ever had a question she would even respond to me after hours or on the weekends if needed (which I was super impressed with and it was much appreciated). Her team (which includes Colleen Barberis) and all of the office staff were incredible throughout the divorce and I will be forever grateful to them for getting me to the finish line with this divorce. I walked away with an incredible settlement and had a great outcome because of all their hard work. Thank you so much Pat, Colleen, and office staff!!
Liz L
“I would recommend them to everyone.”
Patricia and Colleen and their helpful office staff were a full service team who helped support me and get me through my family court battles. They were quick to respond and helpful. I would recommend them to everyone.
Sarah T.
“They are wonderful people and are extremely knowledgeable.”
I have had the best representation and experience with the law team of Patricia Barberis. I have had the pleasure of using them twice. They do a great job. Patricia Colleen and everyone in the office is super helpful and very talented in what they do. Their understanding of family law is amazing. Patricia and her team were very kind and patient with me in difficult times and circumstances. The last one was during the Pandemic late last year and they did an A+ job. Patricia’s guidance was super helpful and her paralegal Nancy did a fantastic job too. I highly recommend Patricia Barberis Law Firm for all family law matters. They are wonderful people and are extremely knowledgeable.
Meet Pat & ColleenDiscover the experience and dedication behind our trusted mother–daughter legal team.
