Child Custody and Visitation
Building Well Structured Parenting Plans for Success
Child custody and visitation decisions shape a child's life and a parent's role for years to come. Whether through settlement or litigation, reaching workable custody arrangements requires balancing legal rights with your child’s emotional needs. Our firm provides experienced, thoughtful representation to help you navigate this sensitive process with confidence and care.
Handling Complex Custody Challenges
When parents separate, questions of custody and visitation can quickly become the most challenging and emotional part of the process. Custody refers to both the legal right to make decisions on behalf of a child (legal custody) and the physical time a child spends with each parent (physical custody). Visitation plans, sometimes called parenting schedules, outline the time the non-custodial parent spends with the child. California law focuses on promoting the child’s best interests, encouraging frequent and continuing contact with both parents whenever appropriate.
It’s important to understand that custody and visitation arrangements can also affect financial matters, including child support. In California, the amount of parenting time each parent has is a key factor in the calculation of child support obligations. A well-structured parenting plan not only supports your child’s emotional stability, but can also impact the financial responsibilities between parents. Our office ensures you understand the broader implications of your custody decisions and works closely with you to create solutions that protect both your child’s needs and your legal rights.
Protecting Your Child in Difficult Situations:
Unfortunately, even the best intentions can get lost when difficult circumstances arise. In some cases, concerns about a parent's fitness, such as substance abuse, mental health challenges, or unstable living conditions, can complicate custody and visitation arrangements. Our firm is experienced in addressing these sensitive issues, including securing supervised visitation when appropriate, coordinating court-ordered evaluations, and arranging substance testing when necessary. We understand that protecting your child's well-being must always come first, and we work closely with qualified professionals — including therapists, evaluators, and substance abuse specialists — to ensure the court has a full and accurate picture.
No matter how complex the situation, we are committed to building solutions that prioritize the safety, health, and stability of your child.
Keith E. Dolnick’s experience working as court-appointed Minor’s Counsel gives him a unique advantage in handling custody and visitation matters. Trusted by the courts to represent the interests of children directly, Mr. Dolnick frequently collaborates with therapists, counselors, and other family law professionals. His insight into both the legal and emotional sides of custody disputes allows him to craft strategies that genuinely serve the best interests of the child while protecting your parental rights. When you need an attorney who understands the bigger picture — and knows how to work toward lasting, positive outcomes — Keith is the advocate you want by your side.
Comprehensive Family Law Services