Child Custody Attorney in New York

Protecting Your Child's Best Interests in White Plains

Custody disputes are some of the most difficult family law cases. Whether you are a single parent or you are considering a divorce, you want what’s best for your child—but it can be difficult to ensure that happens.

New York Family Courts determine child custody based upon the "best interests of the child." It is your New York child custody attorney’s job to show the court that your wishes are in alignment with what is in the best interests of your children. That is why you need an experienced child custody lawyer in New York.

Attorney Andrea Friedman is dedicated to representing both mothers and fathers in parental custody cases. These issues may arise in a separation agreement, during a divorce, or following a divorce. Our legal team assists clients throughout all of Westchester County. We welcome you to contact our firm so we can answer your questions and address your concerns as they relate to your child custody matter.

Call (914) 873-4410 or contact us online to set up your initial consultation with a child custody attorney in NY.

How Custody Is Decided in New York

What determines who gets custody of a child? There are various factors that will be used to determine child custody in a Westchester County court. While decisions will vary from court to court, case to case, and jurisdiction to jurisdiction, there are some standard guidelines that are helpful to understand.

Some of the issues the court will look to in determining the best interests of the child and therefore child custody may include:

• The current living arrangements of the child (if the parents are already separated)
• The child’s preference (in some cases)
• The stability of the environment at each parent’s home
• The financial stability of each parent
• The emotional and mental stability of each parent

It will be your child custody attorney’s job to ensure that your case is presented in the best possible light with regard to these key categories. It will also be his or her job to protect you from allegations that misrepresent your emotional, financial, and residential stability.

Our New York child custody lawyers at Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law understand what is at stake and will skillfully build and present your case in the best possible light regarding each of these categories. Let us help you prove to the court that you having parental custody is in the child’s best interests.

Two Types of Custody Arrangements (and Why You’ll Want Both)

Custody arrangements have two general forms: joint custody and full custody. Family courts generally prefer to create joint arrangements, recognizing that children benefit from having two parents in their lives. Full custody is avoided when possible, because it grants full custody to only one parent.

That being said, both joint custody and full custody have two additional types:

1. Legal Custody – The ability to make decisions for your child
2. Physical Custody – Where your child lives

It is possible for you to have joint legal custody while having limited visitation rights, so even in joint custody cases, you’ll need a child custody attorney in New York if you want to protect your relationship with your child.

Crafting and negotiating an arrangement that understands your bond with your kids is our chief goal. When we take on a custody case, we utilize over 90 years of combined experience and strategy to make sure you and your children have the arrangement that is best for you.

How to Win Full Custody in NY

There are two types of custody in New York: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody determines where the child lives. Legal custody determines who makes major education, medical, and other decisions for the child. In most cases, the state believes that a child is best served by a relationship with both parents. Unfortunately, there are situations where one parent should have full custody.

Arguments used in court when petitioning for full custody include:

• History of domestic violence
• History of child neglect
• A pattern of drug or alcohol abuse
• Untreated mental health issues
• Testimony of witnesses to bad parental behavior
• Habitual unemployment
• Inability to provide an appropriate home

Depending on the factors involved, a judge may award full custody to one parent but allow limited supervised visitation with the noncustodial parent.