Parental Rights Attorney in Westchester County

90+ Years of Combined Experience. Recognized Among New York Metro Super Lawyers.

Parental rights cases cover a wide range of concerns: who a child lives with, how decisions get made about their upbringing, and whether a parent’s legal relationship with the child has even been established. Any parent in Westchester County, married or unmarried, mother or father, can face these questions. Our attorneys handle custody, visitation, paternity, and related family law matters from our White Plains office, serving clients throughout the county.

New York courts decide custody without any legal presumption favoring either parent. Every determination comes down to the best interests of the child, which means both the facts of your situation and how you present them in court can carry real weight.

If you’re dealing with a custody dispute, a paternity question, or any related parental rights concern, call our Westchester County family law attorneys at (914) 873-4410 to discuss your situation.

Why Parents in Westchester County Work with Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law

Our Westchester County family law attorneys bring over 90 years of combined experience to custody, visitation, paternity, and modification matters. The firm has been recognized among New York Metro Super Lawyers, placing in the top 5% of attorneys in the region. Our practice is concentrated on family law, so these matters aren’t a sideline.

Andrea B. Friedman, our Westchester Managing Partner, has over 15 years of experience handling matrimonial and family law matters in this county. She leads local parental rights cases with the familiarity that comes from sustained, focused practice in Westchester courts.

Custody & Visitation Rights in New York

Legal custody and physical custody are distinct. Legal custody gives a parent authority over major decisions about a child’s health care, education, and general upbringing. Physical custody determines where the child primarily lives. A custody arrangement can divide these two components differently, and courts weigh each separately.

New York courts favor joint legal custody when both parents can communicate and cooperate around the child’s needs. When that cooperation isn’t realistic, sole custody may be awarded based on best-interest factors. Parenting time schedules vary widely and are shaped by the child’s age, school schedule, each parent’s availability, and other circumstances. We represent parents in both initial custody proceedings and contested visitation disputes.

Establishing Legal Parentage for Unmarried Parents

An unmarried parent can’t go to court to enforce custody, visitation, or child support rights without first establishing legal parentage. In New York, parentage can be established voluntarily through an Acknowledgment of Paternity, which both parents sign, typically at the hospital or through a local registrar. When parentage is disputed, a court proceeding is required.

We help clients navigate New York’s Acknowledgment of Paternity process and, when necessary, represent them in contested paternity proceedings. Getting this step right is the foundation for the issues that follow, whether the goal is custody, parenting time, or support.

Speak with a Parental Rights Lawyer in Westchester County

Whether you’re facing a first-time custody filing, a dispute over parenting time, or a question about establishing legal parentage, our team can help. We serve parents throughout Westchester County from our White Plains office.

Contact Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law at (914) 873-4410 to schedule a consultation with a parental rights attorney in Westchester County.