Child custody and the time that children spend with each parent, often called "visitation" or "time share" is one of most important aspects of a family law case. The court uses the "best interest of the child" as the standard for its decision-making. There are a multitude of factors that help determine what is ultimately in a child's best interest and include:

• Child's age
• Physical and psychological well-being of child
• Relationship of child's parents
• Proposed living arrangements and stability
• Developmental needs of child
• Input from child regarding their preference, depending on child's age/maturity

However, child custody and visitation or time share can be one of the most contentious issues in divorce and family law matters. In fact, if parties are in dispute, California family law courts require that parents attend mediation prior to a judge making a decision. Mediation in a contested court case is carried out in a time limited and often stressful manner. Fortunately, there are many benefits to using private mediation, as well as collaborative law in resolving child custody and visitation matters.

Contact an experienced Burlingame child custody attorney at Chase, Berenstein and Murray, to learn more about our family law services.

Benefits of Collaborative Law, Mediation and Child Custody

My name is Lisa R. Murray. As owner and partner of Chase, Berenstein and Murray, Counselors at Law, I provide each of my clients with resolution methods that will work best for their particular case. As a California divorce mediator and attorney with more than 20 years of legal experience, I advise my clients on the benefits of utilizing alternative dispute resolution also known as appropriate dispute resolution (ADR) methods in resolving their child custody matters.

Both mediation and collaborative law collaborative practice allow parties to reach an agreement on child custody issues that they want, rather than having a court decide for them. There is more flexibility in creating a parenting plan and time-sharing agreement. In addition, both methods are generally efficient and more cost effective. Litigation can be very time consuming and expensive. Yet, most important are the ways in which mediation and collaborative practice can be less stressful on children and foster more cooperation between parents.

Child custody also impacts guideline child support, specifically the amount of time a parent spends with a child has a correlation to the amount of support a parent pays or receives for that child. Resolving your child custody matter amicably with positive interaction between parents can assist the support in a more productive manner. Whether you decide collaborative practice, mediation or litigation is best for your case, I can provide you with strong legal guidance.

Contact a Highly Skilled San Mateo Child Support Lawyer

Contact my office to schedule a consultation regarding your child custody or child support matter.

Chase, Berenstein and Murray, in Burlingame, California, serves clients in San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Francisco County, and the communities of Burlingame, South San Francisco, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Belmont, Millbrae, Foster City, and San Carlos.

Chase, Berenstein and Murray
Counselors at Law
1220 Howard Ave.
Suite 250
Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone: (650) 548-1171
Fax: (650) 548-0565
lisa_cbm@earthlink.net