{"id":371747,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-child-custody-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-12T18:15:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T23:15:54","slug":"california-child-custody-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-child-custody-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Child Custody Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California Child Custody Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Ally Marshall, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When they separate, parents must agree on child custody arrangements. These arrangements include how they will make major decisions about their child moving forward (legal custody). They also must decide how they will share time with the child. Time with the child is parenting time, timesharing, or physical custody, depending on the state. If parents can’t agree, courts will decide the best course of action based on the state’s child custody laws<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

All states, except Massachusetts, adhere to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act<\/u><\/a> (UCCJEA). This article offers a general overview of child custody laws in the state of California.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Custody in California<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In California,<\/a> child custody has two primary types: legal custody<\/a> and physical custody<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n