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Legal Custody Your Family Is In Good Hands. Put More Than 15 Years of
Dedicated Experience in Family Law on Your Side.

Covina Legal Custody Attorney

What is Legal Custody?

Legal Custody is defined as the right to make certain decisions regarding the parties= minor children as well as the obligation to share certain information with the other parent. As with physical custody, there are two types of Legal Custody (Sole & Joint).

Common decisions that are involved with Legal Custody include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Selection of Doctors, Dentists, and Mental Health Professionals
  • Selection of Schools and Sports
  • Obtaining a Passport or Driver's license.

Joint Legal Custody

Family Code 3083. In making an order of joint legal custody, the court shall specify the circumstances under which the consent of both parents is required to be obtained in order to exercise legal control of the child and the consequences of the failure to obtain mutual consent. In all other circumstances, either parent acting alone may exercise legal control of the child. An order of joint legal custody shall not be construed to permit an action that is inconsistent with the physical custody order unless the action is expressly authorized by the court.

The parties are under an obligation to meet and confer (discuss the legal custody issue) prior to making such a decision. Failure to do so may result in various sanctions being imposed by the court such as changing the order from Joint to Sole Legal Custody for the harmed party for that particular issue or perhaps even a change in custody (depending on the egregiousness of the action)

Sole Legal Custody

When a parent has Sole Legal Custody, they are not required to meet and confer with the other parent prior to making the decision for the child. For example, a parent who has Sole Legal Custody may obtain a passport or enroll a child in a particular sport without discussing same with the other parent. Sole Legal Custody may have a Notice requirement (whereby the other parent must be notified of the decision made) such that the other parent may petition the court to undue or block the decision of that parent. Alternatively, the Court may order Sole Legal Custody only as to a certain issue such as where the child attends school or the selection of a therapist.

A Practical Guide to California Family Law By Paul A. Eads, Esq.

This book, written By Paul A. Eads, helps readers know how to prepare before they initiate a legal endeavor and helps make the legal terms of family law issues easier to understand.


 

Client Testimonials

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    "Mr. Eads, you are a true master in your field and I will always be available should any of your prospective clients want to contact me as a reference."
    Mr. Eads, you are a true master in your field.
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    My ex boyfriend was very abusive. His attorney seemed to be very aggressive and was always filing Ex Parte (emergency) hearings for me to appear in court. Due to a cost issue, I attempted to handle matters myself but it seemed that I could not get my point accrues to the judge who seemed to be familiar with my ex boyfriend’s attorney. I found Mr. Eads in the phonebook and I thought I would give him a call. Mr. Eads was able to get the restraining order I was seeking and my ex boyfriend ended up paying Mr. Eads’ attorney fees. I can now feel rest-assured that my daughter and I will be safe. I also happy that I do not have to deal with my ex’s attorney anymore. Mr. Eads worked hard for me and I am confident he will do the same for you.
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    I will be able to pay it off quicker and with more money left over with the payment Mr. Eads was able to negotiate for me.
    - John H.
    "The outcome was much more than I ever expected to receive."
    My previous attorney failed to show up for my court date and as a result, the matter was set for trial without any input from my side. I desperately sought out an attorney but most of them wanted a huge retainer up front. I found Mr. Eads and when I went in for a consultation, I found that his retainer was more than reasonable. I also liked the fact that he practices exclusively family law and seems very familiar with the local judicial officers. I felt very comfortable with Mr. Eads in my corner going into my trial and I found that the outcome was much more than I ever expected to receive. Mr. Eads was very thorough in my case evaluation and helped me get everything I was entitled to.
    - J.L.
    "Mr. Eads when to bat for me and in my opinion, hit a home run."
    I decided to hire Mr. Eads based on his experience and the fact that his practice is limited to Family Law.
    - Veronica S.
    "Mr. Eads was able to help structure a settlement that allowed me to keep my business while sharing the business debts with my ex."
    I am a business owner and when I got divorced, I was terrified that I would lose my business. My business was also heavily leveraged against and I did not have enough capitol to sustain the business and pay my wife spousal support. My ex had an attorney who was very intimidating and kept pressuring me to liquidate the business so that I could pay his attorney’s fees. I was referred to Mr. Eads by a friend. Mr. Eads was able to help structure a settlement that allowed me to keep my business while sharing the business debts with my ex. I was also able to shorten my spousal support obligation. I really appreciate Mr. Eads professionalism and guidance during these difficult times.
    - J.A.
    "Not only did Mr. Eads get my daughter returned to me, I was able to have full physical custody."
    I am honored to write this review for Mr. Eads after he helped reunify me with my daughter after my ex abducted her and moved to Arizona. I was devastated when I came home from work to find my ex had left with all our daughter’s belongings. I called the police who told me I needed to hire an attorney. I came across Mr. Eads’ website and I was impressed with his bio. I contacted him immediately and within days, we were in court requesting that my the DA Abduction unit assist me in the return of my daughter. Not only did Mr. Eads get my daughter returned to me, I was able to have full physical custody and my ex has summer and holiday visitation. Mr. Eads is truly my hero. Thanks Mr. Eads!
    - Paul W.

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