Child Custody Lawyer

in Napa, CA

If you’re thinking about filing for divorce or legal separation in Napa County, or if you’re already in the process and have children with your spouse, one of the most important issues to resolve will be child custody. This matter is often the most emotionally charged and contentious part of a divorce. That’s why it’s crucial to have a skilled and experienced Napa family law attorney and Napa child custody lawyer by your side to guide you through the process and advocate for your rights. If any child custody modifications become necessary, we’re here to help you navigate the custody case every step of the way.

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Your Child’s Best Interest is Always the Priority

In Napa County, when it comes to making a child custody decision, California judges prioritize the best interests of the child. Typically, both parents start with equal rights regarding custody, and the judge then evaluates various factors to determine how custody and child support should be allocated.

California judges follow two key principles when considering what’s best for your child or children: (1) ensuring their health, safety, and welfare, and (2) recognizing the benefit of frequent and continued contact with both parents, often resulting in joint or shared custody arrangements.

Within these guiding principles, the judge will consider several factors. For instance, they often favor decisions that allow the child to maintain stability and continuity in their home environment, including preserving strong emotional bonds with the primary caregiver, which may lead to primary custody.

Additionally, judges assess which parent is more likely to foster a positive and healthy relationship between the child and the other parent. They also strive to keep siblings together, except in extraordinary circumstances where it may not be in their best interest.

Child Preference May be Considered

In Napa, depending on your child’s age and maturity, a judge may consider their preference regarding which parent they want to live with regularly. You might wonder, “How old does my child need to be to have a say?” While California law doesn’t set a specific age, the older and more mature your child is, the more likely a judge will take their preferences into account.

Factors That Can Result in the Loss of Custody

There are certain factors that arise from a child custody case that will likely lead a judge not to award custody and/or visitation rights to a parent. These factors include:

Evidence of you of your spouse engaging in habitual use of alcohol or illegal narcotics.

California child custody law expressly prohibits judges from granting any form of custody to a parent who was convicted of committing rape, sexual abuse, and/or first degree murder

Things to keep in mind For

Child Custody

Custody Arrangements

In Napa County, it’s important to understand that child custody is a complex issue with multiple aspects. Custody involves both legal and physical custody. Legal custody pertains to your right to be involved in significant decisions affecting your child’s health, education, welfare, and overall development.

On the other hand, physical custody refers to where your child lives and spends time with each parent. When you hear the term “joint physical custody,” it generally means that both parents will have substantial time with their child or children. However, having physical custody doesn’t necessarily mean you have legal custody, and vice versa.

You Have a Voice in Shaping Custody Decisions

In Napa, it’s essential to understand that custody decisions aren’t solely in the hands of a judge. You and your spouse have the opportunity to negotiate a mutually agreeable parenting plan, including arrangements for both legal and physical custody, as well as spousal support. If you can come to an agreement, a child custody attorney will submit it to the judge for approval. However, if you can’t reach a consensus, the judge will step in to decide on child custody. Additionally, you can request modifications to custody arrangements through a court hearing if circumstances change.

Common child custody arrangements include:

Sole legal custody
Sole physical custody, where one parent has full physical custody, and the other parent is a non custodial parent
Joint legal custody
Joint physical custody

Involved in a Child Custody Dispute with Your Spouse?

If you are contemplating filing for divorce, or are in the process of getting divorced, and need help assessing your rights pertaining to child custody, Castro Law Offices, P.C. child custody lawyers are ready and able to help. We are a premier law firm specializing divorce, child custody, and all other issues concerning California family law. Castro Law Offices, P.C. is based in Novato, California, but is ready and able to provide legal services and advice to clients in and around Marin County including Novato, San Rafael, Greenbrae, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Sausalito, Larkspur, West Marin, Ross, Mill Valley and Corte Madera. Contact Castro Law Offices, P.C. today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Testimonials

Jeremy Castro helped me with an adoption after my daughter’s dad passed away. My husband has been a step dad to her for 8 years and wanted to adopt her. Even though there is no way he can completely fill the role of her deceased father, he wanted to fully be there for her and offer comfort and emotional support for her. Jeremy and his wife Danielle were there every step of the way for us! I’m so grateful they were there to help with all of our questions and guide us though this process. Jermey’s passion for helping bring families together was so delightful.

Erin C

This review is about my experience with Jeremy and team at Castro Law. After calling around numerous times to different firms, going to the law library, and reaching out to dads rights advocates. I still didn’t get much help. I made the best choice of my life by calling Castro Law. If you’re reading this I recommend at least giving them a call because they mean business. I finally feel at peace , they went above and beyond for me. The team is great at communicating, very knowledgeable, helpful, and are professional. In my experience mothers are the one favored in the courts, and get the better outcome. Jeremy and team were in my corner the whole time and proved that dads have rights too! Im with this team until my kids are 18 , thanks again Castro Law

Jessica G

I highly recommend Jeremy Castro and his associates to any future clients. They are legal professionals who: 1. Know and apply the law to your individual case to achieve the best possible outcome 2. Communicate in a fair and straightforward manner to all parties 3. Reduce the tension in an otherwise emotional setting and assist making objective decisions. They personally saw my case through to an amicable conclusion and their billing hours were appropriate. First class performance!

John C

I wanted to take this time to write a review about my experience with Castro Law Offices. First off, they were not only FAST to my reply, but also very kind to my emotional situation. I was even handed some tissues for when I was crying. I was treated with the upmost respect (even though I'm sure I looked a little manic while in there explaining my case.) and kindness. They got my case close within a week, and also got me EVERYTHING I was asked for. I recommend Castro Law for ANYONE in need of lawyer assistance. Jeremy and his team work hard, day and night to make sure they meet all of their client's needs. If you're looking for immediate help and guidance with ANY attorney, Castro Law.

Lacey M

When things came to a point of contention with my children's father I knew I needed the help of an attorney. After weeks long search and hundreds of dollars in consultation fees with numerous other attorneys I finally found Jeremy! He is very knowledgeable regarding family law issues, authentic in his character and legal advice, as well as very reliable. As anyone in our shoes has been knows, the unknown can be very stressful. Jeremy made it a point to get back to me promptly when I contacted him...sometimes late into the night. He also was very transparent regarding communication with the other party. Would absolutely recommend Jeremy to anyone with with family law needs!

Krystal W

I was so happy I had decided to hire the Castro Law Office for my child custody and visitation case in Napa County. As a single father of three boys in the state of California, I felt as if I was already doomed thinking that the state would favor the mother regardless of my capability to care for our children. Jeremy was very empathetic and worked diligently to get myself in a good position for the hearing, as I hired him approximately a month prior to the court date. During the hearing, he was very stern and aggressive at the right moments. The situation I was in was extremely stressful and hiring the Castro Law Office helped put my mind at ease. He was very upfront and honest with me from the beginning and which is a trait I greatly appreciated. In the end, we were able to obtain an agreement that is best suited for the children and ourselves. I would hire them again for any other issues I might have in the future.

Abraham B

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