Child Custody & More

Fresno Child Custody Attorney Can Help!

When a couple decides to end their relationship, they must make many hard decisions. Of these decisions, child custody, visitation, and child support are often the most contested. It’s unfortunate, but all too often the couple’s children become the subject of a painful dispute.

As a parent, you want what’s best for your child. To get the custody and visitation agreement that’s fair to you and your children, you need the guidance of an experienced Fresno family law attorney.

The Law Office of Rick D. Banks is highly qualified to handle all your divorce and custody legal needs. We have successfully represented central California parents for more than 20 years. We are well versed in the state’s confusing custody laws. Let us help.

Call us today, at (559) 222-4891 for a no obligation consultation.

What Are The Different Types of Child Custody?

We can help you choose which custody arrangement works best for you. There are several different types of child custody, including:

• Legal Custody – Legal custody allows one or both of the parents the right to make long term decisions about the raising of the child and the child’s welfare. This can include the child’s education, medical care, and religious instruction.
• Physical Custody – Physical custody concerns which parent the child primarily lives with.
• Sole Custody – Sole custody is when only one parent has custody of a child. This is usually awarded when one parent is deemed unfit or isn’t interested in caring for the child.
• Joint or Shared Custody – As the name implies, joint custody is when both parents share the legal and/or physical custody of a child.
• Joint Legal Custody – When both parents are involved in making decisions about the child’s upbringing and welfare.
• Joint Physical Custody – When a child spends an agreed upon amount of time with each parent.
• Sole Legal Custody – When only one parent is given the right to make decisions on a child’s behalf.
• Sole Physical Custody – When the child lives with one parent only. Sole physical custody is often awarded when one parent is absent, known to be abusive, or deemed unfit to be with the child.

Who Decides Child Custody in Fresno?

In amicable divorces, the parents make the custody agreement. If the parents disagree on certain aspects of a custody agreement, the parents can be ordered to enter into “custody mediation.” Custody mediation brings in a neutral party to attempt to resolve your custody disagreements. If you and your ex are still in disagreement about custody arrangements following mediation, your case will be decided in court by a judge.

Best Interest of the Children

When the court makes a custody decision, they will look at what is in the best interests of the children. In making such a decision they will take into account the following considerations:

• The child’s age and health
• Who has been the child’s primary caregiver up to this point
• The emotional ties between parent and child
• A history of violence or substance abuse
• The employment and financial situation of each parent regarding their ability to care for the child

If you are in the separation process and have questions about child custody, you need to contact an experienced child custody lawyer. The attorneys at the Law Office of Rick D. Banks are qualified to advise you through every phase of the custody proceedings.

We can draw up a custody contract between two parents, represent you in mediation, or in court. For your child’s sake, call (559) 222-4891 to schedule a no obligation consultation.

Additional Information

• Child Custody Blogs