California Infant Custody Laws

Are you considering a divorce,  but you are worried about what will happen to your infant?  Although divorce is never easy, you can at least take comfort in the fact that the state’s laws are based on a standard that puts the child first:  the best interest of the child.

What is the best interest of the child?

There are many factors a judge could consider to determine what is in the best interest of the child.  These include the child’s age and health, the emotional ties to each parent and other caretakers, and each parent’s physical and emotional ability to care for the child.  These are just a few of the many factors that can roll up into the best interest of the child analysis.  

What are some factors specific to babies that a court may consider?

If a child’s health, safety and welfare are the most important priorities, then some issues specific to babies will likely be extremely important.  For example, important considerations might be whether your child is breastfed or bottlefed, the safety of the baby’s living environment, and whether both parents are capable of providing for an infant’s needs.  Infants  need much more hands-on care and careful supervision than older children, so those infant-specific needs will be part of the court’s analysis.   Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules to allow a prediction of exactly how a judge would rule in a case, but we can predict many of the factors that will likely be considered.

What is the difference between legal infant custody and physical infant custody?

Most people have heard about custody, but there are actually two types of custody:  legal custody and physical custody.  Legal custody is a parent’s authority to participate in decisions about a child’s health, welfare and education.  Physical custody is the child’s physical presence with the parent. 

Is the decision about my child’s custody always in the hands of the judge?

Many parents come to an agreement between themselves about child custody.  Sometimes a mediator is used to facilitate the negotiations.  If the parents can reach an agreement, then the next step is to take that agreement to the judge who will approve it if it is in the best interest of the child.  

Do you need to talk to a lawyer about the custody of your infant?

If you have questions or concerns about the custody of your infant or would like a consultation on any divorce related legal issue, contact the Law Office of David Knecht.  We have extensive experience in all aspects of family law and can answer your questions.  Contact us at 707-451-4502 for more information.