Substance Abuse & Custody

How Substance Abuse Affects Custody and Asset Division

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Key Takeaways

Substance abuse can affect nearly every part of a divorce, but the most immediate and emotional impact often shows up in custody battles. Courts don’t take these situations lightly, and for good reason. Children’s safety and well-being take priority in California family law, and when drug or alcohol abuse is part of the picture, judges are more cautious and outcomes are less predictable. In California, substance abuse and child custody are deeply intertwined, with addiction often becoming a deciding factor in parenting arrangements and court oversight.

Custody and asset division are already among the most contentious aspects of divorce, and addiction can shift the entire course of those discussions. The goal in California courts is to create stable arrangements for children and ensure a fair financial outcome. Substance abuse makes both goals more difficult to achieve and more important to get right.

When Addiction Becomes a Custody Issue

In California, child custody decisions revolve around one core principle: what’s in the best interest of the child. That’s a broad legal standard, but when addiction is involved, it tends to sharpen the court’s focus.

If one parent has a history of substance abuse—whether it’s alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit substances—the court may view them as a potential risk to the child. A judge will look closely at how the addiction affects parenting ability. Is the parent frequently impaired while the child is present? Has the child ever been exposed to dangerous situations? Is the parent currently in treatment?

Age and developmental stage matter too. A toddler might not recognize signs of danger, whereas an older child may know how to react if something seems off. Judges take that into account when evaluating parenting capacity.

Custody arrangements can range from shared legal custody to supervised visitation, depending on the severity and recency of the substance abuse. In some cases, a parent may be required to complete a rehabilitation program before regaining parenting time.

How Courts Evaluate Substance Abuse

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Judges aren’t expected to make guesses about addiction. They look for specific types of evidence that show patterns of behavior, risk to the child, and current parental fitness. Some common sources include:

  • Police or arrest records, especially for DUI or possession
  • Failed or missed drug or alcohol tests
  • Statements from teachers, neighbors, or other family members
  • Social media content that suggests unsafe behavior
  • Medical records or a substance abuse assessment from a licensed provider

In more contentious or complex cases, California courts may order a formal substance abuse evaluation, which involves interviews, testing, and observation by a licensed professional. In contentious custody disputes, this kind of evaluation can carry considerable weight. 

It’s worth noting that showing effort to recover can matter. A parent who enters a treatment program, consistently passes drug tests, and follows court orders may regain parenting time gradually. However, any backsliding is likely to be treated seriously, especially if it puts the child at risk.

The Role of Substance Abuse in Asset Division

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While child custody decisions tend to dominate the conversation around addiction in divorce, the financial side of things is also affected. While California generally splits marital property equally, if one spouse can prove that the other wasted or misused community assets—such as selling property or draining accounts to fund substance use—the court may assign that loss to the responsible party.

Let’s say one spouse drained joint accounts to fund an addiction, racked up credit card debt, or sold valuable property to buy drugs. That can be seen as “dissipation of assets,” and the other spouse might receive a larger share of the remaining property as compensation.

This is particularly important in high-net-worth divorces. With more complex financial portfolios, like those involving business ownership, investments, and multiple properties, the opportunity for financial harm increases. In these cases, courts may bring in forensic accountants to investigate how money was used and whether addiction played a role in financial mismanagement.

Strategies for Protecting Yourself

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If your spouse struggles with addiction and you’re heading into divorce, preparation can go a long way in protecting your rights and your children. Some practical steps:

  • Document everything: Keep a journal, save text messages, and gather evidence of incidents involving substance use.
  • Request testing or assessments: Your attorney can ask the court to order drug or alcohol testing or a formal substance abuse evaluation.
  • Secure financial records: Bank statements, tax returns, and credit reports help build a picture of how finances were handled during the marriage.
  • Consider temporary orders: These can establish custody, support, and asset protections while the divorce is ongoing.

The goal is to create a safe and stable outcome for everyone involved, with a focus on protecting the well-being of the children.

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A Realistic Path to Recovery and Modification

Substance abuse doesn’t necessarily end a parent’s relationship with their child forever. California courts can (and do) modify custody orders if circumstances change.

If a parent completes a rehabilitation program, maintains sobriety, and can show they’ve turned their life around, judges are often open to revisiting custody and visitation. This process typically involves proof of sustained recovery, such as:

  • Documentation from rehab facilities or sober living programs
  • Regular negative drug or alcohol test results
  • Support from therapists or counselors

In these cases, custody may be reinstated gradually, starting with supervised visits and potentially progressing to shared custody. But this isn’t guaranteed, and the timeline depends on the specifics of each case.

Divorce Involving Addiction Is Never Simple

Substance use can impact nearly every part of the divorce process, from custody decisions to how assets are handled. Substance abuse and child custody cases in particular often require closer scrutiny and added documentation in California, making an already complex process more challenging.

At Whiting, Ross, Abel & Campbell, we guide clients through the legal and emotional realities of divorce involving addiction. We coordinate with therapists, financial experts, and the court to ensure your children’s well-being is prioritized and your rights are protected at every step.

If addiction has affected your marriage, the right support can make all the difference. Reach out to our team for steady, experienced guidance through a difficult chapter.

 

The above is not meant to be legal advice, and every case is different. Feel free to reach out to us at Whiting, Ross, Abel & Campbell, LLP if you have any questions. Information contained in this content and website should not be relied on as legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice on your specific situation. 

Visiting this site or relying on information gleaned from the site does not create an attorney-client relationship. The content on this website is the property of Whiting, Ross, Abel & Campbell, LLP and may not be used without the written consent thereof.

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Ask Our Expert Attorneys

Yes, if a parent’s substance abuse is shown to negatively impact their ability to care for the child, the court may limit or deny custody to protect the child’s safety and well-being.

Substance abuse can influence custody and visitation decisions and may also impact property division if it leads to financial misconduct or harm.

Courts may consider police reports, medical records, witness statements, failed drug tests, or other documented evidence that shows the substance use affects parenting ability.

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