Long Beach Child Custody Lawyers 

Straightforward Client Representation Keeping Your Children’s Best Interests in Mind

Few things are as stressful for a parent as seeing their children go through the stress of their parents getting a divorce. Children often blame themselves and feel pressured to take mom or dad’s side and worry about what will inevitably change in their lives after their parents split up. At Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation, you can rely on our thoughtful, compassionate child custody attorneys in Long Beach to provide straightforward advocacy to resolve these delicate matters while keeping the best interests of your children in the forefront at all times as you dissolve the legal bonds of your marriage.

When you work with our firm, we take the time to understand your family’s daily routines, your children’s needs, and your long-term goals so we can pursue a realistic and workable parenting plan. As a child custody lawyer Long Beach parents can turn to during a difficult transition, we can help you prepare for mediation, gather documents, and organize your thoughts before you ever appear in front of a judge, which can make the process feel more manageable. We also explain each step of the case so that you always know what to expect from the court, the other parent, and from us.

When you first meet with us, you can expect:

• A detailed consultation where we listen carefully to your concerns, ask questions about your children’s lives, and review any court papers you have received.
• Clear explanations of your legal options, including mediation, settlement conferences, and hearings in the Long Beach Courthouse or other Los Angeles County family courts.
• Personalized strategy planning that takes into account your work schedule, your child’s school and activities, and any safety or communication concerns you may have.

To discuss your child custody case with our Long Beach child custody attorneys at Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation, get in touch with us at (310) 904-6648 or reach out online to set up a consultation.

How Child Custody Is Determined in the State of California

Every U.S. state has unique child custody laws. When a judge determines which parent will earn legal and physical custody of his or her children in California, there are several considerations, all of which revolve around the best interests of the couple’s children. That is what we keep in mind, too, at our law firm – what is best for your children and what is most fair to you as their mother or father.

“Legal” custody is defined as the parent who is granted custody and permitted to make important life decisions for their children, such as determining their education, religious upbringing, and health choices, among other important considerations that will have an impact on their futures. “Physical” custody is more straightforward: It determines where and with whom the children live. One or both parents may be granted physical custody – as close to evenly as possible (“joint”) or if one is given custody 100% of the time, this is called “sole” custody.

The factors used to determine child custody include:

• Health and safety of the children
• Preference of the children
• Parental cooperation
• Stability of the child

Our Long Beach child custody attorneys will help you through the complex California family courts during what is surely a frustrating, emotionally challenging time. We will explain to you the numerous issues that can impact a final custody decision. Keep in mind that child custody orders can be modified and reevaluated if you can show there has been a significant change in life circumstances warranting a modification.

Which Factors Does a Judge Take Into Account When Determining a Custody Arrangement?

Child custody takes intricate decision making on the part of a California family court judge. This judge will award joint or sole legal and/or physical custody depending on a number of factors. Based on the judge’s decision, the parent given custody will have the ability to make major decisions about their children’s lives and will have their child live under their roof at predetermined times.

Our Long Beach child custody attorneys handle many of the factors that California family court judges consider when determining final custody arrangements, such as:

We handle many factors that can impact a custody arrangement, such as:

Understanding Long Beach Parenting Plans and Modifications

Many parents are unsure what a day-to-day custody arrangement will actually look like once the court has made its orders. A parenting plan is the written schedule and set of rules that explains where your child will live, how holidays and vacations are divided, and how you and the other parent will handle major decisions. When you work with a custody attorney at our firm, we walk you through common schedule options used in Long Beach and other Los Angeles County courts so that you can see how different arrangements might affect your children’s routines.

In addition to creating an initial plan, parents often have questions about when it is possible to return to the Long Beach Courthouse to request a change. California law allows for modification of legal or physical custody orders when there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as a move, a serious health issue, or ongoing problems with compliance. We can help you gather records, school information, and other documentation that may support your request and present a clear picture of how the proposed change serves your child’s best interests.

Common Issues Addressed in Parenting Plans

Parenting plans can be tailored to reflect the unique needs of your family, and they cover far more than just the basic weekly schedule. Many families also address how exchanges will occur, how they will communicate about the children, and how they will handle future disagreements before turning to the court. By addressing these details carefully at the beginning, you may reduce conflict later and create more predictability for your child. Our goal is to help you craft a thorough plan so you can move forward with greater confidence and stability.

Contact Our Child Custody Lawyers in Long Beach: We Have 70+ Years of Combined Experience.

Determining child custody matters is wrought with high emotion for all members of the family, even those not in your immediate family. We understand, and we are here to provide personalized legal advice and guidance during this challenging time. We can shield your rights and those of your children so you can have adequate parenting time you are entitled to and deserve as the mother or father of the most important people in your lives. With the guidance of our attorneys, whether you’re going through an uncontested or contested divorce, you can stay focused on your children’s best interests and create a unique parenting plan.

When you choose our firm for child custody representation, you receive:

• Guidance from experienced attorneys who have spent decades appearing in Long Beach and Los Angeles County family courts on behalf of parents.
• Support through every stage of your case, from the initial filing to mediation, hearings, and post-judgment modification requests.
• Practical, realistic advice about settlement and litigation so you can make informed choices that reflect your values and your children’s needs.

When you meet with a custody attorney at our office, we will talk about practical issues such as your work schedule, your child’s school and activities, and the distance between each parent’s home so we can propose a schedule that works in real life. We regularly appear at the Long Beach Courthouse and other Los Angeles County family courts, so we are familiar with local procedures and expectations that can affect how your case is presented. Our goal is to give you clear guidance so you can make informed choices about settlement, mediation, or litigation while always keeping your child’s well-being at the center of every decision.

Contact Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation for an appointment with our Long Beach child custody attorneys and find out more about how we can stand up for your rights. Call (310) 904-6648 today or reach out online for a confidential consultation.