Family Law Lawyer Concord, CA Family Law Lawyer Concord, CA 

When you are going through family legal battles, it can be helpful to work with a family law lawyer Concord, CA residents rely on. Family law encompasses a wide array of legal possibilities; divorce, child custody, dividing property, and spousal financial support, to name a few. Because family law can be so complex, it pays to work with a specialized family law attorney just so they can lead you down the right path when it comes to what is right for you and your family. This is why a Concord, California family law lawyerfrom the Law Office of Ariel Brownell can help you.

If you aren’t sure of where to start, please read below. Here are some commonly asked questions about family law to help point you in the right direction.

What Are the Legal Grounds for Getting a Divorce?

Each state has different terms and conditions for filing a divorce, but no matter the grounds, it will either be a no-fault or a fault-based situation. No-fault divorces are available in some form in every state, and this is when both spouses agree that their marriage just doesn’t work. Common claims for no-fault divorces include:

  • Irreconcilable differences
  • Incapability, or
  • Irretrievable Breakdown

On the other hand, fault divorces happen when one spouse claims the other is the cause of the divorce. Some examples of fault divorces are:

  • Adultery
  • Abuse
  • Theft
  • Desertion
  • Addiction
  • Alcoholism, or
  • Impotency

What Exactly Defines Child Custody?

Being named the primary custodian for a child is more than just having them in your care, it also includes making major decision for the child and both physical and legal guardianship. There are two types of child custody; physical which decides which parent(s) see the child on a day to day basis, and the legal form is the parent who is responsible for making all large legal decisions for the child.

How Can I Better Ensure that My Child Custody Case Is Resolved in Healthy Ways?

Child custody disputes are uniquely personal challenges. As a result, it can be very easy for parents to become highly emotional at various times in the child custody dispute process. Becoming highly emotional as a result of a child custody dispute is normal. But allowing your emotions (as opposed to your reason) to drive your decision-making at this time can result in truly negative short-term and long-term consequences. As a result, it is important to seek out the experienced legal guidance of a Concord, California family law lawyer early in your child custody dispute process and to ask questions whenever you need to. It is far better to connect with an attorney if you are unsure of something or feel that you may not be acting objectively than it is to “knee-jerk” when emotional, as reacting emotionally to any number of situations can negatively impact your child custody case.

The Best Interests of the Child Standard

Both child custody and child visitation disputes are resolved according to the “best interests of the child” standard. This standard is applied in both contentious cases that require judicial intervention and amicable cases that are resolved via mediation and/or attorney-led negotiation. The best way to ensure that your child custody case is resolved in healthy ways is to structure your approach according to the spirit of this standard.

As an experienced Concord, CA family law lawyer will tell you, this standard is flexible in order to accommodate the fact that no two children’s best interests are exactly the same. But because the standard is flexible, it may be applied differently by independent judges. For example, one judge may view your child’s situation and believe that joint custody is an excellent option while another may be skeptical that such an arrangement is the best option for your child. As a result, it is important to work with your Concord, CA family law lawyer in order to determine what your child’s best interests are and to structure an approach that advocates for those interests. Similarly, if you approach your relationship with your child and your relationship with your child’s other parent with the “best interests of the child” standard in mind, you will be less likely to act in highly emotional ways that may hurt your case.

Legal Assistance Is Available

There is no single “right” way to resolve a child custody dispute in healthy ways. Each approach must be tailored to your child’s best interests and your unique family situation. If you are navigating a challenging child custody dispute, please consider connecting with an experienced Concord, CA family law lawyer today. The Law Office of Ariel Brownell is here to answer your questions and help you to explore your legal options. Perhaps you are in a position to negotiate with your child’s other parent in order to create a parenting plan together. Or perhaps your child’s other parent is not a good influence and you will need to rely on judicial intervention to protect your child’s best interests. Either way, our office can provide guidance and support moving forward.

How Does Child Support Work?

Depending on your state, your child support will be determined based on different criteria including the parent’s income, how many days the child is with them a month, and other expenses like if they are in school or daycare or their medical care.

Can I Modify Child Support and Child Custody?

Yes, as long as the child’s best interests are kept to heart. Modifications are usually made if there has been a big life change such as a change in income or a relocation, or if the child has requested a different circumstance.

Speak with a Family Law Lawyer Concord, CA Residents Trust Today!

Family law can be tricky to navigate if you don’t have a professional by your side. If you have any questions about anything concerning divorce or child custody, do not hesitate to contact a Concord, California family law lawyer from The Law Office of Ariel Brownell today!