Custody issues in California can become drawn out, complex affairs. Things can quickly spiral out of control when the dispute crosses state lines, and many of our clients are overwhelmed with questions when they’re dealing with an ex who wants to take or has taken the child to another state.

For this post, we’re looking at a quick overview of how custody issues across state lines are handled in California. Don’t forget: custody issues are very delicate legal matters that require the attention of a qualified legal professional. For more on this topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Rubin & Levavi, P. C.

The Home State is Where Jurisdiction Lies

When dealing with interstate custody issues, you have to ask yourself where the home state is. What this means is that the jurisdiction of the case will lie wherever the child has lived for the past six months. Custody proceedings are typically carried out wherever the home state is, which means that all local and state laws will apply.

The “Status Quo” Is Always Taken Into Account

One other important factor to consider is that courts often favor the “status quo,” which refers to the child’s current living situation. The courts don’t like to interfere with a child’s routine, as this can be considered detrimental to his/her well-being, and there must  be a good reason for the courts to consider any changes to the current arrangement. Otherwise, they are likely to favor stability over sudden changes and unexpected moves across the country.

Remember, this is just a quick overview of a very complicated topic. Learn more about how we help our clients handle their interstate child custody issues in California by scheduling a free initial consultation with one of our skilled family law attorneys. We’re equipped to help you with any matters relating to divorce, child custody, and all other family law matters in CA.