Modification of Custody
Child Custody Modifications
Law Office Serving Los Angeles and Surrounding Areas
Do you need to speak with a divorce and family law attorney about a child custody modification? We represent clients in the Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada, La Crescenta and Burbank. To schedule a free consultation with attorney Thomas J. Samaha, in Montrose, California, call 818-541-1101.
What you Need to Know
The courts and legislature place a high value on the finality of court orders. If a mother or father could return to court and get a modification of child custody any time they pleased, the courts would be clogged and the judges would have no time to hear other cases.
To prevent parents from seeking a child custody modification in unnecessary cases, California state law holds parents seeking a modification to a stringent standard. A parent seeking a modification of a child custody order must prove a significant change of circumstances and demonstrate that a change of custody is in the best interests of the child.
In considering the best interests of a child, a judge may consider the custodial preference of a child of suitable age. However, a child's preference alone, even if the child is a teenager, is not binding on a judge.
Some of the facts that can form the basis of a child custody modification include:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Chemical dependency
- Danger to a child from an unfit parent
- A subsequent marriage to a convicted sex offender
Contact the Samaha Law Firm
If you need to speak with a lawyer about a child custody or visitation dispute, call 818-541-1101, or contact us by e-mail.
