How does child custody work?

Judges in California must consider the best interests of the children in reaching a conclusion about custody of the children and how parents will potentially share time with the children. Parents begin with equal rights to custody; a judge is not permitted to show preference to either parent simply based upon the parent’s sex. In determining the child’s best interests, California law specifies two guiding principles: 1) that the health, safety, and welfare of children must be a court’s primary concern, and 2) children benefit from frequent and continued contact with both parents.