Pasadena Child Custody Attorney

Helping You Reach the Best Possible Agreement for Your Family

At the Law Offices of Christopher L. Hoglin, P.C., our Pasadena child custody attorneys stand ready to provide you with trusted representation throughout your child custody case. Our Pasadena office is proud to be a results-driven firm, and we use our knowledge of the local laws and regulations to help you reach an agreement that is best for your family.

If you find yourself going through a divorce or if you need a modification to an existing child custody agreement, do not hesitate to contact our child custody lawyers in Pasadena and schedule a free consultation as soon as possible.

What Custody Agreement Works Best for Your Family?

There are a few factors that need to be considered when determining what custody agreement will work for your family, including:

• The legal custody of the children involved. Parents who are granted legal child custody will be able to make all decisions for the children, including religious upbringing, healthcare options, and educational decisions.
• Physical custody agreements. Physical custody is where the child will reside and which parent will have most face-to-face time with the children.
• Visitation agreements. In the child custody case of one parent being given physical custody, a visitation schedule will need to be created so the non-custodial parent is able to have visitation with the children.

Of course, each custody case is unique, and every family is different, and there may be a few other circumstances to take into consideration. Children that are over 12 may be given the option to voice their opinions on physical custody. The parents’ criminal history, employment, and financial situations may all be taken into consideration as well.

What is Considered an Unfit Parent?

As previously mentioned, the fitness of a parent comes into play when a court decides on a custody case. Being “fit” means that you are both mentally and physically capable of caring for and protecting a child. Being “unfit” is the exact opposite and can result in loss of parenting privileges.

It is not uncommon for two parents to get into heated arguments and accuse one another of being unfit. Divorce can cause emotions to boil over and result in one parent challenging the fitness of the other. However, the court takes allegations of fitness very seriously and will evaluate certain factors to determine the validity of the claim.

Here are some factors that a judge may examine:

• Does the parent have a history of alcohol or substance abuse?
• Does the parent have a history of domestic violence?
• Has the parent shown the willingness to work with the other parent for the best interests of the child?
• Does the parent suffer from a mental disability that prevents them from caring for the child(ren)?

If the court cannot come to a decision based on those factors, then they may hire an evaluator to monitor the events occurring at the home. They may also resort to interviewing therapists, teachers, or close friends.

How Can I Obtain Full Custody?

As Pasadena child custody lawyers, we understand that parents want to exercise their rights and responsibilities and seek full custody. You must present "persuasive evidence" to the court regarding your fitness as a parent. The courts do tend to favor choosing joint or shared custody for the benefit of the child; however, there will be many factors that play a role, as previously mentioned above. If you are dealing with a former spouse who has had a history of domestic violence, abuse, a criminal past, poor employment history, or money issues, put us on the custody case!

Let the Law Offices of Christopher L. Hoglin, P.C. Represent You!

Custody can be a stressful part of a divorce, and at the Law Offices of Christopher L. Hoglin, P.C., we understand that having the right attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your child custody case. Our Pasadena office will work with you through every step of the legal process to get to know you and your family. We will discuss all options available and diligently represent you at all custody hearings that you may have.

If you have reached an impasse in your divorce regarding custody, or if you have questions regarding any part of a divorce decree, visitation agreement, or custody concern, do not hesitate to contact a Pasadena child custody lawyer from the Law Offices of Christopher L. Hoglin, P.C.