<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">Child custody disputes can be the most challenging part of a divorce. Ensuring that your children&rsquo;s best interests are protected requires the expertise of a <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Santa Ana divorce attorney who understands California&rsquo;s custody laws.

<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">Types of Child Custody in California

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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 14px 30px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Legal Custody: Determines who makes important decisions about the child&rsquo;s education, healthcare, and well-being.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 14px 30px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Physical Custody: Decides where the child will live.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 14px 30px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Joint Custody: Parents share legal and/or physical custody.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 14px 30px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Sole Custody: One parent has primary custody rights.</li>
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<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">Factors Courts Consider in Custody Cases

<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">1. Child&rsquo;s Best Interests: Stability, parental involvement, and emotional ties are considered.

<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">2. Parental Fitness: Mental health, substance abuse history, and criminal records impact custody decisions.

<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">3. Child&rsquo;s Preference: If the child is mature enough, their preference may be taken into account.

<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">4. History of Domestic Violence: Any history of abuse can result in loss of custody rights.

<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">How a Santa Ana Divorce Attorney Can Help

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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 14px 30px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Negotiating Custody Agreements to avoid court battles.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 14px 30px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Ensuring Fair Visitation Rights for both parents.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 14px 30px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Protecting the Child&rsquo;s Interests during legal proceedings.</li>
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<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Conclusion

<p dir="auto" style="margin: 0px 21px 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 14.4px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;">Child custody cases require skilled legal representation. A Santa Ana divorce attorney can fight for the best possible outcome for your family. Schedule a consultation with JOS Family Law today.