Custody and Visitation

Orange County Child Custody Attorney

Maintaining your Parental Rights

If you face divorce, and you have children, you have some decisions to make. Even though you are no longer a couple, you are still parents. If it is possible, you must work together to raise your children. Over the years, our family law attorney has handled many child custody and visitation cases. We can help you maintain your parental rights and create a parenting plan that is simple, easy to follow, and tailored to fit your circumstances. To discuss your legal options in more detail, contact the Law Offices of John A. Balent to talk to our family lawyer.

Child Custody and Visitation

There are two types of child custody. The person who lives with the child and takes care of his or her everyday needs has physical custody. Legal custody involves making decisions about the child's life. A single parent has sole custody. When two parents share the work of raising the child, they have shared custody (also called joint custody).

Normally, after a divorce, one parent has sole physical custody, and both parents share legal custody. The one who lives apart from the children has the obligation to pay child support. He or she has visitation rights, and also maintains the right to have a say in how their child is raised.

However, this is not the only arrangement that you and your spouse can make. If you cannot agree on the arrangements, you go to court. We can represent you if this happens. The court will base its decision on what it sees are the best interests of the child.

Contact an Orange County child custody attorney for a free consultation.