If you and your ex cannot agree on a child custody schedule, a court will get involved to make one. When making this determination, California law instructs that courts must consider the best interest of the child.

This means that the desires of the parents are not given much weight, except as to how they relate to the child’s best interest. Also, it should be noted that this calculus is related only to physical custody not legal custody. Legal custody refers to the rights of the parents to make all critical decisions that affect the child's life.

The law further outlines what factors should be weighed in deciding what custody arrangement is in the best interest of the child. Your Campbell family law attorney can discuss the specific circumstances in your case, but generally, these factors include: