Improving Your Chances of Obtaining Child Custody in Pasadena

Obtaining Child Custody in Pasadena

The determination of child custody can be one of the most draining experiences for a parent. Ultimately, the court is going to make a legal custody order based on what it believes is in the best interest of the child. Factors the court will look at include stability, income, safety and general welfare of the child, and the ability of each party to work together and co-parent. We examine each category below:
Stability

A parent hoping to obtain legal custody of a minor child should have a stable place to live that provides a clean, safe, and child friendly environment — in other words, free of questionable behavior or illegal activities.

Income

One of the first items to be discussed in a legal custody dispute is the income of both parents. First filing petitions and any responsive declarations need to be accompanied by an income and expense declaration. This document explains to the court the amount of money a parent generates weekly, monthly, or yearly, as well as the expenses each parent is responsible for each month. It is imperative that a parent seeking to obtain legal custody have permanent, steady income, demonstrating the ability to provide for a child’s basic needs.

General Welfare

Children need love, shelter, security, trust, nurturing, and protection. Although there is no concrete, simple definition of what is in the best interest of a child, the court will consider a number of factors related to the child’s circumstances and the parent or caregiver’s circumstances and capacity to parent, with the child’s ultimate safety and well-being as the paramount concern (see www.childwelfare.gov). The court will look at:

Emotional ties between the child and his/her parents, siblings, grandparents, and caregivers
Capacity of the parents to provide a safe home and adequate food, clothing, and medical care
The mental and physical health needs of the child
The mental and physical health of the parents
The presence of domestic violence in the home

Co-Parenting

It impresses judges, family law facilitators, and especially a child when parents can engage in healthy communication and work together to agree on custody and visitation arrangements that help provide their child with the best possible care.

Family Law Counsel

Finally, the best way of improving your chances of obtaining legal custody often is to hire an experienced, compassionate, diligent, and highly focused team of legal professionals. It requires a certain type of strategy and sophistication when maneuvering around family law court. Contact attorney Robert Jacinto today to consult with an accomplished, skilled family law attorney about your legal custody issues.