As the parent who holds primary custody over a child, the custodial parent has a lot to account for. In simple terms, the custodial parent is ultimately responsible for everything involving child’s physical and legal needs. This can be overwhelming for a lot of new or newly-divorced parents, which inspired us to write this post.

Here, we’ll be breaking down the primary responsibilities that custodial parents need to account for in California. As always, if you’re looking for tailored advice, we at the White Oak Law are more than happy to help. Be sure to call us for more information but for now, here’s the primary obligations that custodial parents should always be up to date on.

What are my Obligations as the Custodial Parent?

As the primary caretaker of your child, you need to ensure that you’re accounting for the following:

• Tracking all child support payments
• Enforcing and sticking to your visitation schedule
• Looping the other parent in on all important matters, including major expenses
• Informing the other non-custodial parent before leaving the state
• Promoting a safe, stable environment and sticking to a routine
• Ensuring that all of your decisions have the best interests of your child in mind

Needless to say, being the custodial parent is a serious responsibility that should not be taken lightly. When child custody disputes come into play, be aware that judges will consider these factors when making their decision.

Speak to an Experienced Child Custody Attorney in California

Remember, the experienced family law attorneys at James P. White are a quick phone call away. Call us today to schedule a initial consultation with one of our legal experts, where we can address all of your concerns regarding child custody, divorce, and any other matter revolving around family law in California.