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Child Custody Attorney Laguna Woods

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Reliable & Compassionate Child Custody Lawyer Laguna Woods, CA

The well-being of your child is the most significant consideration in divorce. As parents, deciding custody and parenting schedules can be a significant challenge, especially if there’s a conflict between co-parents. That’s why having a Laguna Woods child custody lawyer can make all the difference in protecting your rights and your child’s best interests.

In Laguna Woods and Orange County broadly, attorney Binoye Jos has significant experience resolving child custody disputes inside & outside the courtroom. Our law firm can answer your questions and provide quality counsel & representation to achieve an outcome that paves the way for a better future for you & your children.

We will help you make the transition into your new life as seamless as possible. You may reach us at (714) 733-7066 or via email at jos@josfamilylaw.com to schedule a consultation today.

Why Choose Us?

Expertise Inside & Outside the Courtroom

Experienced Legal Representation

When you hire us, you benefit from our 55 years of combined experience, collective skills, and in-depth knowledge of California family laws.

Highly Knowledgeable in Local Court Procedures

Resolution Focused

A strategy specific to your situation is vital, and we excel in formulating and executing those plans to perfection.

Recognized for Excellence

Reputation for Excellence

At Jos Family Law, we have earned a reputation for excellence inside & outside the courtroom.

Compassionate Advocacy Providing Value to Clients

Resourceful Expertise

We focus all our resources on settling disputes swiftly & amicably whenever possible and advocating for your rights & interests whenever needed.

At Jos Family Law we are available to provide consultations, at any time, including the weekends or evenings.

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Get In Touch

Our attorneys are here to help you during every stage of your case. Schedule a confidential consultation and know your options with the seasoned counsel of top family law attorneys.

Contact Information

Please call, email, or contact our office online to arrange an appointment for your case today.

(714) 733-7066

jos@josfamilylaw.com

1918 W Chapman Ave Suite 200, Orange, CA 92868

Legal Custody v/s Physical Custody.

In California, child custody is divided into: physical custody & legal custody.

Legal Custody: This is the right & responsibility to make decisions on important aspects of the child’s life, including education, healthcare, and religion.

Physical Custody: Determines where the child will physically live and the timeshare ratio between parents.

Physical and legal custody can be further broken down into sole custody or joint custody.

Sole Custody: Sole custody is where one parent is responsible for child-rearing and has the authority to make major decisions concerning the child’s upbringing.

Joint Custody: Joint custody is when both parents make important decisions together and spend an equal (or nearly equal) amount of time with the child.

Every child custody decision in California is based on the best interests of the child, which we’ll discuss below.

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Defining the Best Interests of the Child

The best interests of the child are the legal standard used by the courts to determine which custody arrangement will benefit the child the most. While this standard is not defined in the California Family Code, it is the singular focus of the court, which takes into account the following factors:

  • Which parent has been the primary caregiver during the marriage
  • Which parent is most likely to encourage a healthy relationship between the child & the other parent
  • Mental & physical health of each parent
  • Each parent’s work schedules
  • Parenting skills
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Domestic violence or child neglect
  • The child’s preferences (if old enough)
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Parenting Time Schedules

In California, the court orders parents to go through mediation to resolve their child custody dispute before engaging in litigation. Parents may choose to negotiate along with their attorneys or mediate a solution facilitated by a neutral third party. This includes creating a parenting schedule that includes custody & visitation rights. Creating a parenting plan that would hold up in court requires preparation, openness, communication, patience, & compromise.

To ensure the agreement reflects your children’s needs and your parental rights, take time to think about what's important for you and your family dynamics. Knowing your goals will also simplify the job for your attorney - putting them in a better position to build a successful strategy & pursue your goals.

In the custody schedule, you will have to outline the specifics of physical custody. It should specify:

  1. If & how parents will divide time with the child on weekdays
  2. If & how parents will divide the time with the child on weekends
  3. If & how parents will split time with the child during school breaks, holidays, and special occasions
  4. If, when, & how each parent can take the child on a vacation
  5. Logistical details if & when the child transits between both households
  6. Visitation schedule of the non-custodial parent (if sole physical custody)

The parenting schedule should be a written agreement and unique to the child’s and parent’s needs. If necessary, the parents may introduce a provision for supervised visitation to protect the physical & emotional well-being of the child. Grandparents also have the right to visitations, and a clause in this lieu can also be included in the arrangement.

As your Laguna Woods child custody lawyers, we can help create & negotiate a fair settlement agreement that secures the best arrangements for you & your children.

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Child Support for Children with Special Needs

Visitation Agreements

Typically, the courts prefer that children maintain frequent and ongoing contact with both parents. However, joint custody may not always be possible due to parental conflict or distance between households. In such cases, the noncustodial parent has access to the child by a set visitation schedule.

Visitation schedules can be:

  • Scheduled Visitation: The court sets forth dates and times when the child will be with each parent. This includes holidays, vacations, and special occasions.
  • Open-ended Visitation: The parents work out visitation schedules on their own as the court order does not specify the dates and times and leaves it up to the parents.
  • Supervised Visitation: When the court has concerns over child safety when the child is with the noncustodial parent, it may order supervised visitations. This means a relative or a professional will supervise the noncustodial parent’s visits with the child.
  • No Visitation: If the court deems that even supervised visitation puts the child at undue risk of physical or emotional harm, it may not give any parenting time to the noncustodial parent.
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Helping Parents With Relocation Issues

There may be instances when the custodial parent decides to relocate to a distance. If such a change interferes with the noncustodial parent's access to the child, the custodial parent must seek consent from the other parent or get approval from the court. The court will only approve the move if it is in the child’s best interests or if both parents agree.

If you are seeking to relocate with the child or want to stop the other parent from doing so, here are some factors that the court would consider:

Type of Custody Arrangement

The court’s approval becomes necessary if both parents have joint custody. A parent with sole custody has more freedom but may still face legal consequences if the other parent objects.

Distance of Relocation

Sometimes, relocation may involve a long-distance move, which can significantly affect the current custody schedule. The longer the distance, the more stringently it will be scrutinized by the court.

Reason for the Move

The court will consider the moving parent’s reason for relocation. Legitimate reasons like job transfers, educational opportunities, or a military relocation will have more weight than trying to alienate the other parent.

Impact on the Child

Finally, the court will consider whether the relocation affects the child’s safety, stability, school environment, and relationship with both parents before ratifying or disapproving the relocation request.

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Resolving Custody Modifications

Circumstantial changes in the years after a divorce or a separation may require a modification of the original child custody & visitation order. Either parent can file a request for the modification if any of the following events occur:

  1. Changes in the child’s needs
  2. Allegations of child abuse or neglect
  3. Violations of the existing custody/visitation orders
  4. Changes in job, income fluctuations, or health issues of a parent
  5. Parental relocation to a significant distance

At Jos Family Law, we regularly represent parents who want to modify their custody arrangements or alter parenting schedules. We have the skills to negotiate a fair modification plan or advocate for your rights in court to reach an outcome that reflects your current situation & child’s needs.

Binoye Jos

Top-rated Child Custody Attorney Laguna Woods

Our lead attorney, Binoye Jos, understands the complexities and legal nuances of child custody procedures in California. Having experienced his family law dispute which took 198 filings, two attorneys, and cost $40,00, he left a multi-billion dollar industry to serve individuals and families. After winning half of his child's custody, he graduated from law school and has been helping parents by realizing their parental rights and protecting the best interests of their children.

He formed Jos Family Law to help families in Southern California during dire need. Our law firm has made a name for itself with a successful track record of winning custody cases for parents. Be it at negotiations or litigation - our child custody attorney Laguna Woods is dedicated to achieving the best for your family.

Why is Having a Child Custody Attorney Important?

Children are the most affected by divorce. Things become more complicated if the parents fail to reach an agreement regarding their children's custody. As a parent, you would want the best possible arrangement for your children, and the best way to ensure this is to hire a child custody attorney in Laguna Woods.

Here are some reasons why hiring an attorney is crucial for your child custody case:

Minimizing Impact on Your Child

Regardless of how amicable your divorce or separation is, your children will likely be impacted due to it. As a parent, it is important to try and minimize the impact of your divorce on your children. Parents who do not pay attention to this risk long-term complications in their child's life. An attorney will help you reach a favorable resolution in your child's best interests.

Possessing In-depth Legal Knowledge

A knowledgeable child custody attorney can help you understand the law. Without their counsel, it may be difficult to navigate complex family laws and procedures that apply to your case. This may lead to problems in the future, including the risk of losing out on your child's custody.

Reduced Stress

Any family law case, especially child custody, can take a serious emotional and physical toll on the parents as well as the children. An accomplished child custody attorney Laguna Woods will handle all aspects of your case so you can fully devote yourself to caring for your children.

Saving Time & Money

The last thing you would want is to watch your child custody case drag on for more time than it should. This is not just frustrating for all parties but also adds to expenses.

A child custody attorney will use every method at their disposal to resolve your case quickly. Sometimes, a child custody arrangement may be reached outside court, thus saving stress, time, and money.

Improved Chances of Winning Custody

Family law and child custody regulations are vast and complex. The court procedures can also be confusing. Without a lawyer, your chances of obtaining custody are slim.

An attorney possesses the legal knowledge and experience in such cases and knows how to present your case in a positive light. Having an attorney by your side is thus important, especially if your spouse has hired one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal custody is the parental right to make decisions on important matters in the child's life, like education, healthcare, religion, etc. Legal custody may be shared by both parents or enjoyed by one parent exclusively.

Physical custody refers to where the children will live and which parent has the responsibility to care for and supervise the child. Physical custody may be awarded jointly - where the child spends an equal amount of time with both parents, or awarded solely - where the child lives with one parent exclusively and gets visitation from the other.

No. California law prohibits granting custody based on gender. The court will award custody by determining which parent is more likely to allow the child to have continuing contact with the non-custodial parent, amongst other factors.

Yes. The parents have the right to agree on child custody and visitation via mediation. The process is facilitated by a neutral third party who helps the parties settle their disputes without the presence of attorneys. If the parents reach a settlement agreement, they can make the contract binding with the court's approval.

If the parents fail to reach an agreement on their own, the matter will be decided by a family court judge based on the child's best interests.

The courts are always guided by the best interests of the child before passing a custody or visitation order. It determines the best interests of the child by considering the following factors:

  • Age and health of the child
  • The ability of each parent to take care of the child
  • Emotional relationship shared by the child with each parent
  • Any history of domestic or substance abuse by either parent
  • Where the child goes to school
  • The child's involvement in his/her community

Get In Touch

Our attorneys are here to help you during every stage of your case. Schedule a confidential consultation and know your options with the seasoned counsel of top family law attorneys.

Contact Information

Please call, email, or contact our office online to arrange an appointment for your case today.

(714) 733-7066

jos@josfamilylaw.com

1918 W Chapman Ave Suite 200, Orange, CA 92868

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Sonia Fernández

Jos exhibits exceptional compassion and understanding, promptly addressing all inquiries to facilitate clarity and calm throughout the process with comprehensive and sincere explanations. He offers potential solutions to minimize unnecessary court costs. His team operates efficiently and effectively to complete the task. I highly recommend this law firm as it operates with integrity.

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Carlos Serrano

Thank you very much to Mr. Jos and to all his group of professionals who helped me get out of my child support case with a very good result. Each case is different and my case was very complicated. I live in the state of Virginia and the child support office of the state of California was starting a case against me, the amount they wanted me to pay was ridiculously high I didn't know what to do because I don't live in California and I had never met the child either. I searched online for a lawyer in California and thank God I found Mr. Jos's law office. I don't know them personally but I put my trust in them and they didn't disappoint me. We had very good communication despite the distance and they were always available to talk to me and clarify my doubts. Mr. James was the one who took my case to the end and after a long and very difficult process everything went very well in my favor much more than expected. I am very grateful to God for putting the entire team of professionals from Mr. Jos' office on my way. Words are not enough for me to describe everything they did for me and how grateful I am. I definitely recommend Mr. Jos's law firm. Thank you Mr. James for not giving up in my case and having achieved a magnificent result in my favor.

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Alexandra Duvall

Jos Family Law has been absolutely fantastic in helping me through my child custody case. Mr Jos communicated with me throughout the entire process. He was very empathetic and understanding with my case and my concerns. The team was always supportive and never once did I feel like they didn’t take my case seriously. I’m so grateful I chose this law firm to represent me and I would 100% recommend this team to anyone seeking assistance. In the end I received the outcome I was looking for which was Sole Physical Custody. Thank you so much Jos Family for representing me.

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Marco Galatro

This was the second attorney that represented me for my divorce. Binoye is a very knowledgeable, fair, and professional attorney. They are reliable and this made my experience way less painful. They are definitely not greedy for money, they are not one of the many attorneys out there who overbill for their services. I truly recommend them.

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Roya

Mr. Jos is by far the best attorney l've ever had to work with. He is diligent, extremely prepared and informed and patient with his clients and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure you get the results you are hoping for. I recommend him to anyone who needs a Family attorney.

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Ricardo Lajaruna

My most sincere gratitude to the attorney Mr. James Sowers, who is very knowledgeable about the law, works with and for his clients. He is very transparent, honest and I am very grateful for his great support. His legal representation is highly recommended!!!

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Nader Zayid

JOS family Law took on my case which entailed custody and move away components and I honestly could not say enough great things about JOS Family Law! Mr. Jos is not only extremely knowledgeable and professional, but it is also extremely obvious how much he cares for his clients on a personal level as well. There is an expression that two heads are better than one, however, Mr. Jos' philosophy takes it further as eight heads are better than two. It was so impressive and reassuring how collaborative everyone at the office works together to meet on regular cadences and discuss their client's cases to brainstorm strategies in order to seek the best possible outcome for their clients. Mr. Jos has an amazing team of extremely talented and knowledgeable attorneys that have worked together on my case. James was the lead attorney on my case and also represented me in my hearing. James was able to get us everything we were asking for as he successfully proved that full custody remaining with me is in the best interest of the children and that the move away is in the best interest of the children as well. We were able to come up with a plan to ensure that the children's mother can visit regularly and still maintain a healthy relationship. James is a rock star attorney! I would without hesitation refer anyone seeking help in a family law matter to call Jos Family Law!

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(714) 733-7066