Cohabitation agreements secures the rights and obligations of persons living together without being married and can deal with issues dealing with children as well as property. Similarly, parenting agreements treats the issues surrounding the custody and visitation of minor children between married or unmarried persons. Finally, marital settlement agreements resolve the issues arising out of the breakup of a marital relationship either partially or fully. It most often becomes the foundation for a judgment of dissolution of marriage, of legal separation or of nullity. Child Custody and Visitation.
Child custody can be either joint or primary to one party.
The law favors joint child custody whenever feasible since the standard is for frequent and continuing contact between parent and child. The goal in most situation should be a joint custody arrangement whenever appropriate. Child visitation is the term used for the scheduling of time between the non-custodial parent and the child. Visitation can consist of any different schedules which are agreeable to both parties and insure frequent and continuing contact between the parent and child. In San Diego county, all parties must attend a mandatory mediation with a Family Court Services mediator.