When a couple makes the difficult decision to pursue a divorce, it is fair to say that they are likely entering a challenging time in their lives. A divorce represents a new chapter for both parties, but it can also come with some significant conflicts. A couple will be forced to resolve various issues as they go about the process of dissolving their marriage. These issues can range from the allocation of marital assets to the separation of bank accounts. One of the most consistently contentious aspects of many divorces is child custody. For divorcing parents, it is important to understand the steps you can take to ensure you will remain a significant presence in your child’s life. 

Child Custody in California 

Here in the state of California, when a child custody case cannot be resolved through mediation, a judge ultimately will decide where the child will primarily reside. The judge will do this by evaluating what is in the best interests of the child. They will consider a variety of criteria, including which parent will provide a safer environment for the child and whether the child would benefit from consistently being around one or both parents. It should be noted that the judge will not consider the gender of each parent when evaluating a case and making their decision. 

When you choose to end your marriage and obtain a divorce, the emotional process can be incredibly turbulent for everyone involved. Separating from a person you once loved and lived with can be one of the most difficult times in your life. The divorce process can be especially challenging when children are involved. For fathers, divorce can be downright scary, due to the fact that they are often perceived as being at a disadvantage in decisions related to child custody. However, with the proper preparation, you can protect your rights as a father and ensure that you will be able to maintain a close relationship with your children.

Addressing Child Custody Issues as a Father 

Nothing terrifies a parent more than feeling as though they may lose the ability to spend time with their children. As a father, you may have to grapple with the possibility that the judge will side with your children’s mother in your divorce case. Because of this, it is important for you to showcase your willingness to be the best parent possible as you work to secure significant custodial privileges. Taking these steps can be beneficial for your case:

The divorce process presents a unique set of challenges in each individual case. For parents, a divorce can significantly alter their relationships with their children. In many cases, divorcing parents will be fighting for custody of their children, and as this battle for custody takes place, many parents forget what should truly be at the forefront of the conversation: what is best for the children. In many cases, mediation can be used to resolve these issues amicably while keeping children’s best interests in mind.

The Benefits of Mediation in Child Custody Cases

During the mediation process, divorcing parents will work together with a neutral mediator to reach an agreement about child custody and visitation. Mediation can provide many benefits, including:

Every year, thousands of American couples make the difficult decision to pursue a divorce. While some divorces can be hostile and aggravating, others can be navigated with some level of amicability. In these instances, mediation can represent an alternative option to standard divorce proceedings, enabling you and your spouse to have greater control over the decision making process while maintaining a dialogue that can be critical during this difficult time in your life.

The Benefits of Mediation

Divorce mediation is a process in which a divorcing couple works with a trained, neutral mediator to facilitate a dialogue and resolve issues surrounding the divorce. Here are a number of reasons why mediation can be a smoother process than a divorce trial:

• It Expedites the Divorce Process: In many cases, divorce can be a long and strenuous process. During mediation, spouses will work together with a mediator to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to the outstanding issues in their divorce, and the process can often be much quicker than a standard divorce trial. As spouses look to transition to the next phase of their life and begin a fresh start, the ability to reach a faster resolution can be invaluable.

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Many people consider their pets to be like their own children, so what happens to the family pet when couples divorce? In the past, pets would be treated like any other non-living property in a California divorce. Though previously given the same consideration as a piece of furniture or a car, the understanding that people share special relationships with their pets prompted California lawmakers to change how pet custody is treated.

A law passed last year dictates that the well-being of an animal or animals owned by a couple must be considered when parties cannot agree on who will keep the animals following divorce. California was the third state in the U.S. to pass such a law, and it went into effect on January 1 of this year.