Parenting Agreement Lawyer in Los Angeles Simplifying Custody and Visitation Arrangements

No one sets out to have a child with someone they’re not going to stay with. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence in America. Pew Research found that the number of children with unmarried parents in America has more than doubled since 1968. Around one in three children live in such a situation, so it’s frequently necessary to lay out rules regarding child support, custody, and visitation. These rules too often come from a court order issued by a judge far removed from the situation. Rather than letting the courts decide what’s best for your child, however, you can speak with a parenting lawyer in Los Angeles to figure out your options.

At Kim Mediation and Law Center, you’ll work with an attorney who has more than 20 years of experience in family law. We understand that family law situations involving children can be incredibly complex and emotional, but this doesn’t mean you and your child’s other parent have to be combative. By reaching a parenting agreement rather than opting for litigation, you’re simplifying the entire process while also reducing stress for you and your offspring. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn all your options regarding parenting contracts in Los Angeles.

What Is a Parenting Agreement?

A parenting agreement is a written document — also known as a parenting plan — that dictates how two parents will handle the care of their child. These are frequently part of divorce settlements, but that isn’t always the case. Around 1 million American children are born to unwed parents yearly, and when this happens, it’s very important to work out an agreement if both parties want to remain in their child’s life. The entire point of a parenting plan is to reduce the potential for conflict and to create predictability for the child.

Some parents are unable to reach agreements on much, and this typically leads to litigation. Unfortunately, this means a judge will make major decisions — and in many cases, they may not have a full understanding of your situation. This is why it’s so important for parents to try to create a Los Angeles parenting agreement prior to going to court. If they can succeed in this, their agreement becomes an official court order after being signed and filed by a judge. At this point, your parenting plan will have the force of the law behind it.

What Goes Into a Parenting Agreement?

California parenting agreements can include a number of provisions dealing with various issues. The state says that these contracts can be general or specific but that in all cases, they should include provisions regarding legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody deals with who makes important decisions for a child, and courts typically prefer when parents can reach joint legal custody arrangements. Physical custody deals with where a child lives and how their time is spent.

These are just a few of the issues typically covered under these provisions:

• Medical care
• Religious teachings
• Visitation schedules
• Living arrangements
• Extracurricular activities
• Pick-up and drop-off scheduling and transportation
• Time spent during holidays
• Child support
• Academic activities
• Parenting schedules

As evidenced by this list, California parenting agreements can cover a wide array of topics. In fact, this list isn’t even close to exhaustive; just about any issue that you could encounter when co-parenting can be included in this written document. While it may seem tempting to try and “beat” the other parent when making these decisions, you’ll often be surprised at how far a cooperative approach can take you. Unless there has been violence or abuse in your relationship, working together to negotiate a plan that works for everyone is typically the best approach.

A parenting agreement lawyer in Los Angeles can help you do this. Contact Kim Mediation and Law Center today to learn how.

Do I Need a Los Angeles Parenting Agreement Lawyer?

Under California law, no person is required to seek legal counsel for any reason. When it comes to making parenting agreements, this leaves many people to ask why they need an attorney at all. After all, can’t they negotiate with their child’s other parent on their own? Wouldn’t going this route save time and money? Unfortunately, this is often not the case. While you can work towards creating a parenting plan on your own, parties often find it difficult to reach fair agreements without a legal professional that can keep emotions in check.

Even if you get along perfectly with your former partner, though, opting to move forward without an attorney can still prove problematic. That’s because a judge has to approve any parenting agreement you come up with, and if certain statutory requirements are not met, it’s likely that the plan will be rejected. An experienced family law attorney can help you avoid this outcome. Working with a Los Angeles parenting agreement attorney is also important if you need a court order modification due to changed circumstances.

Regardless of your specific situation, you can benefit from speaking with a legal professional. And with a free consultation at Kim Mediation and Law Center, you can get a better understanding of your situation prior to choosing how to move forward.

Contact a Parenting Agreement Lawyer in Los Angeles Today

Raising a child comes with various unique challenges, but these can become more difficult when the parents aren’t together. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean there has to be turmoil between former partners. Everyone wants what is best for their child, and in many cases, what’s best is working out a parenting agreement without going through the stressful process of litigation. Even if it seems like there is no room for compromise between you and your child’s other parent, this is rarely the case. In fact, many people are surprised at how capable they are of reaching mutually beneficial arrangements with the help of a family law attorney in Los Angeles.

At Kim Mediation and Law Center, we strive to help our clients take a cooperative approach that avoids the typical stressors of child support, custody, and visitation issues. Through mediation and collaborative law, it’s possible to come to an agreement that’s in the best interest of your child without having to let a judge make important decisions in your life. Even if a cooperative approach doesn’t work, you can still opt for litigation if necessary. And since Kim Mediation and Law Center offers prospective clients a free consultation, you have nothing to lose by reaching out to learn more. Contact us today by calling (213) 351-1000 to speak with a parenting agreement lawyer in Los Angeles.