Divorce is an overwhelming and confusing experience for anyone. It is particularly tough on the children, especially when parents have a bitter relationship with one another and cannot determine custody amongst themselves.
However, in California, child custody is primarily about the best interests of your child, while fairness to parents comes second. The courts look into various factors to award child custody, and the final award must align with their best interests.
These tips can help you create a parenting plan that benefits your children.
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Maintain a Supportive Environment for Your Child's Upbringing
The courts will consider the environment in which the child is raised. So ensure to create a supportive environment where the child is comfortable and relaxed. Take measures to make your home safe and a conducive environment for them to grow. Remember, any inappropriate behavior may negatively impact your custody chances.
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Minimize Disputes with your Ex Post Breakup
Regardless of how your relationship with your ex-spouse or partner, you must have a healthy working relationship with them for the benefit of your child. Act maturely and treat your ex-spouse with respect, especially when children are around. Refrain from talking negatively about your spouse in front of anybody else, especially if children are around.
Avoid posting negative comments about your ex-partner on social media as well. Any evidence of disrespect will signal to the court that you're unable to maintain a positive environment for your children. Family law judges prefer the child to spend time with both parents, and a healthy relationship is fundamental to this view.
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Show Commitment Toward Your Children
Provide the care, time, and attention that your children need and deserve from you. Spend quality? time with your kids and attend all appointments, visits, and other events. Demonstrate your commitment by spending parenting time with them.
You should also connect with everyone outside the family who affects your children's lives like teachers and healthcare professionals. Help your kids with homework, hobbies, and other activities that show you are actively taking part in your children's life.
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Ensure a Clean History
While this may be obvious, you should make sure to refrain from any activity or behavior that posits character deficiency on your part. Make sure you have no criminal records, even including any speeding tickets.
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Document Everything
Documenting and keeping records won't just help you with your custody case but also show you are a responsible parent. Include all activities you and your spouse did with your children.
If your spouse puts your child in an uncomfortable situation or neglects them in any way, make sure you document that too. Also, note every time you pay or receive child support. If you are responsible for paying child support, ensure timely payments to show you care for the child.
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Never Put Your Children in a Difficult Situation
The court won't ask your children to testify, but in exceptional cases, they may be asked their preference. Thus, it won't benefit your case to pressure your kids into testifying that they want to live with you. This may severely hurt your case. Remember, that your case will be decided on what the judges think falls under the best interests of your children.
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Don't Fight with your Spouse in Front of the Child
Never fight publicly with your ex, especially in front of your children. Don't lose your temper or show emotional volatility. Even if your relationship has broken down, it is best to avoid negative responses in public. Only open up to your closest friends or relatives. You may also talk to a professional therapist to keep yourself on a positive note.
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Prepare for Custody with a Child Custody Attorney
Preparing for child custody is key to gaining primary custody of your child. An experienced child custody attorney can guide you regarding custody and visitation policies. There's no guarantee regarding the outcome of your case, but your attorney can give tips to improve the odds in your favor.
Consult with Jos Family Law
As you prepare for your child custody case, it is important to hire the right legal services. Consult with Mr. Binoye Jos, a certified family law attorney in Orange County. We offer tailored and personalized guidance to serve the best interests of your children. It is our priority to retain a healthy environment for your family and children.Jos Family Law
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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.
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.
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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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