Los Angeles Child Visitation Attorney

Child custody and visitation present some of the most emotionally trying issues in the entire arena of family law. To a parent going through a divorce, nothing is more important than the ability to take part in the child’s upbringing. At Boyd Law, our Los Angeles child visitation lawyers provide personal, experienced and effective legal representation to help achieve your goals and do what is in the best interest of the child.

Visitation goes hand in hand with child custody in Los Angeles and California. While judges generally prefer that the parties agree to what the visitation schedule will be they will step in and set the schedule if the parties cannot agree. Mediation is often ordered by the judges as a means to help the parties agree to a workable visitation schedule, both temporarily while the child custody proceedings are under way, and permanently for after the proceedings have ended. Mediation costs are usually split equally by both parties. The results then become a binding agreement. Judges prefer that the parties come to the decisions on their own because then there is less likelihood of the need for a modification.

In California, it is public policy to ensure that children have frequent and continuing contact with both parents after parents separate or dissolve their marriage, or end their relationship. If parents cannot agree on a parenting plan for the children, the court will decide. The legal standard is always the child’s “best interest.” Child custody and visitation orders may be requested by either parent of a child. The evidence a court can consider includes psychological evaluations, social worker studies, witness testimony and the child’s preference if the child is age 12 or older. Proof of misconduct by one parent, such as adultery, alcohol or substance abuse or violence, can factor into the court’s decision.

If you are not the custodial parent, it means that your children live for the majority of time with the other parent, called the custodial or residential parent. Courts and judges want to grant the non-custodial parent child visitation rights because they realize that it is important for each parent to have a significant presence in a child’s life. Contacting an experienced child visitation attorney at Boyd Law is your best chance at securing your family’s rights.

When a court rules on visitation rights, often it will order “reasonable” visitation and let the parents determine where and when visitation will take place. This allows for the flexibility of the parents’ and children’s schedules. It also gives the parent with physical custody more control over the details – the dates, times, and duration of visits. Unfortunately, the custodial parent might abuse this power and restrict or prevent the non-custodial parent visitation attempts.

If you are the non-custodial parent and are not happy with the visitation arrangements you need to contact a child visitation attorney at Boyd Law for help in modifying the arrangements. If you’re child’s other parent interferes with your visitation rights, you can ask the court to modify the child custody and visitation arrangements, and even request a fixed schedule that will detail the times and places for visitation.

Free Legal Consultation With Child Visitation Attorney in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles family law attorneys at Boyd Law provide solid representation to protect the best interest of your child, your financial interests, and your relationship with the co-parent. Our attorneys are experienced litigators and understand how to navigate the California family codes to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients. Child visitation and child custody are one of the major and sensitive issues involved in divorce and paternity cases. The attorneys at Boyd Law are knowledgeable, experienced and aggressive family lawyers who take your case to heart and fight on your behalf. Contact our office today at (310) 777-0231 for a free consultation.