San Diego Child Custody Lawyers

Few issues in family law are as emotionally charged or as important to participants as child custody. For parents, the uncertainty of where their children will live, how much time they will spend together, and who will make decisions about their upbringing can be highly stressful and legally overwhelming.

You may worry about unfair pressure being placed on your children or whether the other parent will make harmful statements about the divorce in a child’s presence. These challenges are deeply personal and require careful handling.  

At Andrew J. Botros, APC, we recognize that your children’s well-being is your highest priority. Our role is to guide you through this challenging process with skill, compassion, and clarity, whether you are navigating custody in a divorce, facing post-divorce disputes, or pursuing custody in a paternity action. 

Our team understands how sensitive these issues are and approaches every case to protect children from unnecessary stress while securing an arrangement that serves their best interests.

Schedule a case evaluation with a San Diego child custody attorney at Andrew J. Botros, APC by calling (858) 422-1377 or contacting us online. We offer phone, office, and convenient virtual consultations. 

How We Can Help in Child Custody Cases

From the outset, we discuss your children’s needs, your concerns, and available legal options. 

We:

• Explain California custody laws and processes in plain language
• Prepare you for mediation or court proceedings
• Work with experts when necessary (such as child psychologists or evaluators)
• Advocate for your parental rights 

Our team includes multiple Board-Certified Family Law Specialists who bring exceptional expertise to this issue. We are known for combining strategic skill with compassion, helping parents feel supported during one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.

Types of Custody in California

The different types of custody under California law include: 

• Legal: The right to make decisions about your child’s health, education, and welfare. Parents may share joint legal custody, or one parent may be awarded sole legal custody.
• Physical: Where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. This can also be joint (children split time between both homes) or sole (children live primarily with one parent while the other has visitation).

Our attorneys can explain how these custody categories apply to your situation and help you work toward an arrangement that reflects your child’s needs and your role as a parent. 

At every stage of the custody process, the guiding principle of California family courts is the child's best interests. Judges weigh factors such as the child’s age, emotional and physical needs, stability, each parent’s past involvement, and any concerns related to safety, such as domestic violence or substance abuse. 

Whether custody is decided in mediation or litigation, the court’s focus is not on the parents’ preferences but on crafting an arrangement that protects the child’s well-being and promotes healthy development.

Parenting Plans in California

California courts require that every custody case result in a clear custody and visitation order; the preferred way is through a parenting plan. A parenting plan (sometimes called a custody agreement) sets out the schedule and rules for how custody will work in daily life. 

It typically covers:

• Weekday and weekend schedules
• Holidays and school breaks
• Vacations and travel arrangements
• Decision-making responsibilities

If parents agree on a plan, the court will almost always approve it if it supports the child’s best interests. If parents cannot agree, we have expert consultants available to help you prepare for custody mediation. If mediation fails, the court will impose an order that essentially becomes the parenting plan.