CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION LAWYER IN NYC AND LONG ISLAND

Custody and Parenting Time (Visitation) – The best interests of children controls in determining issues involving children. Custody and parenting time or visitation orders can be sought for children up to eighteen years of age in New York.

Custody must be decided in a divorce when there are minor children of the marriage. Parties can also litigate custody and parenting time or visitation issues in the New York State Family Court.

There are various forms of custody arrangements. Sole custody is a situation where the child resides with the parent that also has legal custody or decision making authority over the child. In joint legal custody, which is also a possibility, the parents need to make decisions together for the child. Shared custody, although less common, is an arrangement where children spend equal time with each parent.

Usually, a parenting time (visitation) schedule is made as part of a child custody order or stipulation. Neither the mother nor the father enjoys a presumption under the law that children should reside with them.

Upon a substantial change of circumstances, modifications of custody and parenting time may be sought.

This law office cares deeply about the parental rights of its clients and fights hard to protect them. A $175 per hour rate is available for family court proceedings involving custody. In the Supreme Court the $200 per hour rate applies for custody and parenting time or visitation issues.