Westminster child custody has two parts under California law: physical custody and legal custody. Joint custody allows the parents to have joint physical custody and joint legal custody. However, the court can award joint legal custody, and not award joint physical custody. Under physical custody, one parent may be granted sole physical custody where the child would reside with and be supervised by one parent. Under joint physical custody orders, the parents share physical custody, and the law ensures that the child have frequent and continuing contact with both parents.
Sole legal custody allows one parent the right and responsibility to make decisions about the health, education, and welfare of the child. Joint legal custody allows both parents to share these rights and responsibilities. California law does not establish a preference for sole or joint custody in contested proceedings.
There are considerations the law establishes in making Westminster child custody awards. Public policy of California is to ensure the minor children frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Also, custody orders must be made according to the child's best interest. Domestic violence and a history of abuse will be considered by the court in determining the child's best interest. Move-away/relocation cases arise when one parent seeks to move to another jurisdiction. The court must evaluate the child's need for stability and continuity. Move-away/relocation cases are generally hotly contested.
Spousal Support/Alimony Lawyer
California spousal support can be temporary and long-term. Temporary support can be awarded while a dissolution or legal separation is pending. The court may award an amount depending on he party's need and he payer's ability to pay. Judges typically use the support software when ordering temporary Westminster spousal support.
Long-term Westminster spousal support may be ordered by the court in any amount, and for any period of time that the court deems just and reasonable. In making a determination for support, the court must base its decision on the marital standard of living. The court must also consider the extent to which each party's earning capacity will maintain the standard of living established during the marriage. The complete list of factors the court must consider are found in California Family Code section 4320.
Limited Scope Representation
California attorneys are allowed to provide Westminster limited scope representation to clients involved in family law and civil cases since it was approved by the Judicial Council. Many parties to family law and civil litigation actions would like the help of an attorney for parts of their cases, even if they cannot afford full representation. Attorneys may appear at court hearings even if the attorney did not prepare the legal paperwork. In contrast, attorneys can prepare legal paperwork, but do not have to appear in court if the cause of action actually gets to the point of having court dates. Most people find that having an advocate at the court hearing helps alleviate additional stress that is naturally created with litigation.
Westminster Divorce Lawyer
A Westminster divorce is more than the end of a marriage. How the issues are addressed will affect your life and impact your loved ones. Family dynamics and finances are complex. When confronted with a divorce, the future feels uncertain and overwhelmingly complex.
You need a Westminster divorce lawyer that is well versed in California State divorce laws. We are accomplished, experienced, and compassionate Westminster divorce lawyers, able to handle the most complex and involved cases.
With Westminster Divorce Lawyer Joe Torri on your side, you can move forward with confidence and breathe a sigh of relief.
About Westminster, CA
Determination, purpose, and a cooperative spirit define the flourishing city of Westminster today. However, the community does enjoy a rich history. More than 8,000 years ago, the Oak Grove people inhabited the area that is currently known as Westminster. These people remained in the region until the vegetation on this coastal plain had dried up and the climate became dry. Then, in 1870, the Rev. Lemuel Webber founded the Presbyterian temperance colony of Westminster. The name was taken from the Westminster Assembly of 1643. This assembly laid out the basic tenets of the Presbyterian faith. Because they associated grapes with alcohol, the farmers in the region wouldn't grow grapes for many years during its early history. Up until then, more than 200,000 Gabrielino Indians had relocated to this region from the desert, it remained uninhabited. The Indian population was reduced by diseases including diphtheria, smallpox, and measles.
In 1492, Pope Alexander IV declared that all of the unclaimed land on the continent of North America was owned by the King of Spain. This represents the next chapter of recorded history of the Northern Orange County region. The King of Spain awarded large land grants, which were known as ranchos in order to induce the colonization of the continent.
This new land was cleared, surveyed, and mapped by the Spaniards. The Spanish Governor of California granted some 21 square miles of land to a man named Manuel Nieto in honor of his military service in 1784. This land came to be known as the Rancho Las Bolsas. This Rancho covered most of what is currently known as western Orange County. The Rancho prospered with fine herds and large crops and fine herds until 1804 when Nieto died at which time the Rancho was subdivided in 1834 after some serious quarrelling by his heirs. Westminster is a city in Orange County, California.
With a population of 10,755 people, the year 1957 brought the incorporation of Westminster. As a result of the amalgamation of the three cities of Midway City, Barber City, and Westminster, originally, the community was called Tri-City. However, ultimately, Midway City declined to be incorporated, which left Barber City to become part of the recently incorporated Westminster. The former Barber City was located in the westernmost part of the current community of Westminster.
The landlocked community of Westminster is bordered by Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach to the south, by Garden Grove to the east and north, and Seal Beach to the west. With the exception of a small part of Westminster where Midway City intersects with Huntington Beach on the south, Westminster surrounds the unincorporated region of Midway City.
During the 1970's, numerous refugees from Vietnam arrived in the community and settled that is currently named Little Saigon. In 1996, Westminster won the All-America City Award.
According to the census taken in 2012, the population of Westminster was 91,377 people which reflect a 3.6% increase in population since 2000. The median age of a resident in Westminster is 38.7 years old as compare to the median age of a resident of the state of California of 45.6 years old. There are 45,182 males or 49.4% of the population and 46,195 females or 50.6% of the population. In 2011, the median income for a household was $52,498 as compared to $49,450 in 2000.
In 2011, the estimated value of a condominium or house in Westminster was $445,400 as compared to $215,900 in 2000 and $355, 600 in the state of California. As of 2012, there were 40,197 or 44.1% of the population who were Asian, 22,693 or 24.9% of the population who were White, 22,620 or 24.8% of the population who were Hispanic, 2,658 or 2.9% of the population who were at least two races, 1,687 or 1.9% of the population who were Pacific Islanders or Native Hawaiian, 1,148 or 1.3% of the population who were Black, and 75 or 0.08% of the population who were American Indian.