Visitation Rights Attorney in Westchester County

Representing Both Sides of Parenting Time Disputes in Westchester

At Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law, we believe every parent should have the right to participate in their child’s life when it is possible, reasonable, and safe. In cases where parents are divorced or separated, the child’s best interests guide every family law decision. Attorney Andrea Friedman, our Westchester managing partner and a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, leads these cases with more than 15 years of family law experience. As a dedicated family law firm, we bring focused attention to parenting time matters.

Does your ex-spouse have full custody of your children? As a child visitation attorney serving Westchester County, we can help you seek to maintain a meaningful relationship with your kids. If you have custody and need to restrict or oppose visitation because of abuse, neglect, or other safety concerns, we’re equally prepared to advocate for what is best for your child.

Contact us online or call our office at (914) 873-4410 to consult a Westchester County visitation lawyer.

The Who, When & How of Visitation Rights in New York

Here is how visitation and parenting time cases move through the courts in Westchester County.

• Who Can Petition: Any parent who does not have custody of their child can file a visitation rights petition in Family Court. When a divorce is pending, parenting time is addressed in Supreme Court proceedings. Grandparents and siblings may also petition for visitation in New York, subject to a best-interests analysis.
• When to Act: A noncustodial parent can petition at any time. The sooner you file, the sooner the court may establish a schedule. Delay doesn’t pause your child’s developmental timeline, and courts can issue temporary parenting time orders to maintain stability while the case proceeds.
• How the Process Works: You obtain the necessary paperwork from Family Court, complete it with attorney guidance, and file the petition with the clerk. After filing, the court may issue a temporary visitation order. The court can also appoint an Attorney for the Child (AFC), an independent lawyer who represents the child’s own interests in the proceeding. From there, parties can request mediation to resolve the dispute out of court or proceed to a hearing before a judge.

Modifying or Enforcing a Visitation Order in Westchester County

A visitation order entered today doesn’t have to be permanent. New York courts may modify an existing parenting time order when there has been a substantial change in circumstances since it was entered. Grounds for modification include a parent’s relocation, significant changes in a parent’s health or work schedule, a child’s evolving needs, and for older children, the child’s own stated preferences. Courts can also add supervision requirements to an existing order if safety concerns arise after the original schedule was set.

When one parent willfully violates a court-ordered visitation schedule by withholding a child or refusing scheduled parenting time, the other parent can file a contempt motion. A parent who repeatedly denies court-ordered access risks changes to custody rights or parenting time. We file modification petitions and enforcement motions for clients on both sides of these disputes, pursuing the outcome that serves the child’s best interests.

Talk to a Westchester County Child Visitation Lawyer

Parenting time is among the most contested aspects of any divorce or separation. Child support, custody, and visitation decisions shape your child’s daily life for years, and no two situations are alike. No one can truly advise you on your options until they’ve heard the full picture of your case.

Call us at (914) 873-4410 or contact us online to speak with a child visitation attorney serving clients throughout Westchester County in divorce and separation proceedings.