Child Custody & Visitation
Custody and visitation
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Overview
1. Families and children: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-family.htm
2. Custody and parenting time: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-custody.htm -
How to get your orders regarding custody and visitation:
1. Overview: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/request-for-order
2. Free online assistance in completing forms: https://california.tylerhost.net/SRL/SRL (“Request for Order”) -
How to respond to Request for Order (FL-300) regarding custody and visitation
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Family Law Facilitator: Free legal assistance
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Free classes regarding:
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Child custody and visitation mediation
Overview
When parents separate, they have to make decisions about custody of their children and parenting time (also called "timeshare" or "visitation").
If you cannot reach an agreement with the other parent about a parenting plan, usually one of you has to ask the court to make an order.
Court’s Involvement with Custody and Visitation:
California law says that judicial officers must keep the "best interest" of your children in mind when deciding on custody. California laws have changed a lot in the last few years. Courts no longer automatically give custody to the mother instead of the father, even if your children are young. Courts cannot deny your right to custody or visitation just because you were never married to the other parent, or because you or the other parent has a physical disability, or a different, or minority lifestyle, religious belief or sexual preference.
In most cases, parents can make their own agreements for custody and visitation (parenting time). If you and the other parent agree on custody, and you have an existing Family Law case, then you can mediate and write up a parenting agreement with Family Court Services. The judicial officer will review your agreement. Family Court Services offers mediation services at no cost to parents who want to resolve custody or visitation disputes without filing for a court hearing. This is called an "informal mediation" and can be scheduled by calling Family Court Services at (657) 622-6196 for an appointment. If you and the other parent do not have an agreement, then the judicial officer will send you to mediation and a mediator will help you. If you still cannot agree, you and the other parent will have to attend a court hearing.
Remember: The best plan is a plan that is good for your children. Change is hard for children. Research tells us that if both parents are active in their kids’ lives and they do not fight over custody and visitation schedules, the children will usually do much better.