Beverly Hills Child Custody Lawyer

Legal Custody

Legal custody gives a parent the right to make crucial decisions regarding the kid's welfare, including education, religion, and medical care.

Legal custody also allows the parent to obtain information from schools, doctors, governments, and other institutions.

Courts almost always award joint legal guardianship to the parents unless there is a specific cause to believe that this arrangement would not be in the best interests.

Joint legal guardianship means that parents confer on decisions regarding the child.

Physical Custody

Physical custody is granted to the parent with whom the children will live most of the time. Joint physical custody means the time with each mother and father is split relatively evenly.

The basic schedule will be officially agreed upon as part of divorce proceedings, but the schedule does not have to follow a one-set structure.

Joint vs Sole Physical Custody

When possible, courts will award joint physical guardianship if both parents want such an arrangement. In some cases, however, sole custody is granted. Typically, with sole custody, the non-custodial mother/father is granted certain visitation rights, although there are extreme situations where one parent is denied custody and visitation.

In all determinations, the child's best interests are the top priority.

Finding a Custody Arrangement That Fits Your Family

Sharing physical custody after divorce can be a challenging experience.

Depending on numerous details of your specific situation, there may be different options to consider regarding how you plan to share custody.

Below are a few options that you may want to explore.

• Separate parents, separate homes. This is the most common type of living arrangement and the one most people think about when they think about sharing guardianship. This traditional arrangement involves each ex-spouse living in their own home. The kids then travel between the homes and live with each parent during their parenting time.
• Nesting, or bird nesting, Nesting is an arrangement where the children's home is "the nest." Parents then move in and out of the nest home, depending on who has custody. As this article points out, nesting can work well for families who prioritize stability for the kids, but it isn't easy. To make nesting work, each parent needs to have their own separate home in addition to the children's home. Parents also need to be committed to taking care of "the nest."
• Living together. Some families can still live in the same space and co-parent. While this is likely one of the rarer options, it could work when people have substantial homes with different living spaces. It might also work for people living in apartments in the same building or people with a main house and guesthouse on site.
• Finding the best arrangement for you and your kids. Whatever you decide to do, it is crucial that you prioritize your kids' well-being when figuring out custody and living situations after divorce. You would also be wise to discuss with your attorney any legal measures and protections you can put in place to ensure the arrangement is fair.

Mediation as an Alternative to Litigation

When it comes to child custody disputes, mediation can be a beneficial alternative to taking the case to court. Mediation is a process where a neutral third party, known as a mediator, helps parents work together to reach a mutually agreeable solution regarding child custody and visitation. At Mansouri Law Offices, we understand the importance of finding a peaceful resolution that prioritizes the best interests of the child.

Benefits of choosing mediation include:

• Control over the outcome: Unlike litigation, where a judge makes the final decision, mediation allows parents to have more control and input in creating a custody agreement that works best for their unique situation.
• Cost-effective: Mediation is often less expensive than going to court, as it typically requires fewer legal fees and takes less time to reach a resolution.
• Preserving relationships: Mediation promotes open communication and cooperation between parents, which can help preserve their relationship and minimize conflict for the benefit of the child.
• Confidentiality: Mediation is a private and confidential process, which means that discussions and agreements made during mediation are not part of the public record.

If you are considering mediation as an alternative to litigation for your child custody case in Beverly Hills, our experienced attorneys at Mansouri Law Offices can guide you through the process and help you reach a fair and amicable resolution. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.