Ventura Visitation Attorneys

About Visitation Rights in CA

In the state of California, as with most states, the well-being of a child takes precedence over the interests of the child's parents. In many divorce cases, the court will award sole physical custody to one parent in the belief that a child needs the security of a solid and consistent household.

The court also recognizes that a child needs both parents in his or her life. Visitation rights exist to ensure that the non-custody holding parent will still have an active and vital role in their child's life. It is important to work out a child custody agreement that fairly reflects the needs and interests of all parties involved.

If you are going through a divorce and would like legal assistance when negotiating visitation rights, don't hesitate — speak to our Ventura visitation attorneys by calling (805) 464-7315 today.

Why Visitation Rights Matter

If you wish to have a part in your child's life and upbringing, then it is incredibly important to be able to see and interact with your child freely and often. When and how often you get to see your child depends on the child visitation agreement reached during your divorce hearing. If you do not have proper legal representation when the court determines the terms of your visitation right, then you risk having your visitation time severely limited.

After a divorce is finalized, it may be very difficult to modify your child custody agreement. With this reality in mind, you should work closely with your lawyer to negotiate for visitation terms that honor your interests as a parent.

Types of Visitation in California

Visitation orders vary depending on a variety of factors, foremost of which is what is in the best interests of the child or children. When signing off on a visitation agreement, both parties, or the judge, if the parties cannot agree, should also take into account both parents’ unique situations, the custody agreement, and other pertinent issues.

In general, there are four different visitation orders:

• Scheduled visitation: This involves a detailed plan in order to avoid confusion over dates and times between parents. Your schedule may include mapping out who has visitation on important holidays, weekends, birthdays, and vacations. Agreeing to a schedule can help avoid conflicts later on.
• Reasonable visitation: These orders are more open-ended than visitation schedules, and generally work better for parents who are on good terms. Because reasonable visitation orders lack specific details, issues may arise in the case of a misunderstanding or conflict.
• Supervised visitation: When a child’s safety may be in question, visitation may be granted only when the parent in question is supervised by the other parent, a professional third-party, or another trusted adult. Supervised visitation may also be necessary when one parent is still getting to know the child and they both need time to adjust.
• No visitation: While California does prefer that parents be in their child’s lives, the judge may deny visitation if it is not in the best interests of the child. This is the case when visitation is physically or emotionally detrimental, such as in the face of abusive behavior, addiction, or other circumstances deemed dangerous to the child.

Serving Clients Throughout Ventura County

At Negley Law, APC, we firmly believe that a child needs both parents in his or her life in order to live a healthy and vibrant life. We will fight on your behalf to reach an agreement that both keeps the interests of your child in the forefront of everything we do and also maintain your rightful place in the child's life. Do not entrust your future and the future of your child to lesser legal counsel. Call our firm today to take an active step towards ensuring the happiness of your child.

Contact our Ventura visitation lawyers to take legal action in enforcing a court order.