Divorce While Pregnant Lawyer in Ventura

Paternity Considerations

One of the first issues to address is paternity. If you and your spouse are married, California law presumes that your spouse is your child's legal parent. However, if there are doubts about the father's identity, this issue must be resolved before finalizing a divorce. Establishing paternity can involve genetic testing and may impact custody and support decisions.

Child Custody and Support

California courts prioritize the best interests of the child when determining custody arrangements. While it might be difficult to establish a custody plan for an unborn child, courts can make provisional decisions that will take effect once the child is born.

• Temporary Orders: You can request temporary orders for custody and support during your pregnancy. These orders serve as a placeholder until the court agrees upon or orders a more permanent arrangement.
  
• Child Support: The court can mandate child support payments to begin after the child’s birth, based on both parents' incomes and custodial arrangements.

Health Insurance and Prenatal Care

Pregnancy brings additional healthcare considerations that need addressing during divorce proceedings. Ensuring continuous health coverage is vital for both you and your unborn child.

• Maintain Coverage: If you are on your spouse’s health insurance plan, you must ensure coverage continues through your pregnancy. Courts often issue temporary orders to maintain health insurance coverage during divorce proceedings.
  
• Medical Expenses: Negotiating the responsibility for prenatal and birth costs can be part of the divorce settlement. It’s a good idea to document all medical expenses related to your pregnancy as part of your financial disclosures.