Bronx Child Custody Attorney
Child custody can be a highly contentious part of any divorce. When parents cannot reach an agreement, the court must step in to settle the matter. This can lengthen an already stressful event and be emotionally exhausting to all parties.
If you are divorcing and need experienced legal help with child custody or child support, contact the Law Offices of Vivien I. Stark. Our child custody attorneys can work with you to deescalate a potential conflict or represent you in your custody trial.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Vivien I. Stark in New York are:
- Professional and trustworthy;
- Experienced in all areas of child custody and family law; and
- Able to provide client-focused, realistic legal solutions to child custody issues.
Schedule your confidential consultation with one of our Bronx child custody attorneys today to learn more about our personalized services.
How a Bronx Child Custody Attorney Can Help
There are several reasons it is imperative to retain an experienced child custody attorney. The first is your relationship with your children. Your child custody case will determine your ongoing legal and residential relationship with your children. A child custody attorney from the Law Offices of Vivien I. Stark will ensure your desires and evidence to support your arguments for your positions on these points are clear to the court.
Your child custody attorney from the Law Offices of Vivien I. Stark will also help with the following:
- A speedier case resolution;
- Strategic arguments and counter-arguments at hearings or a trial;
- Calculation of appropriate child support;
- A complete custody and visitation plan that meets all statutory requirements.
The legal system is complicated; having the proper legal representation is crucial. Reach out to the Law Offices of Vivien I. Stark now to discuss the specifics of your New York child custody case.
Types of Child Custody in the Bronx
There are two types of child custody in the Bronx: physical and legal child custody. Parents may be awarded joint or sole physical or legal custody rights regarding their children.
Physical Custody
Physical custody refers to where a child resides. A parent with primary physical custody lives with their child. Parents can have joint physical custody, or one parent may have sole physical custody.
In the Bronx, NY, joint physical custody is when both parents spend substantial parenting time with their child. This does not mean the parents spend equal time with their child.
Legal Custody
Legal custody is the ability to make major educational, medical, religious, or legal decisions on a child’s behalf. It is usually in a child’s best interests for parents to share legal custody.
Visitation in the Bronx, New York
Parents generally file and are awarded visitation rights as part of a divorce, custody, or paternity case. There are typical minimum visitation schedules for parents without primary physical custody, or the judge may award another schedule as appropriate.
Parents are entitled to regular and consistent visitation with their children. In cases where the judge is concerned about a child’s safety, they can order supervised visitation at an agency or under the supervision of a mutually agreed-upon third party.
The Child’s Best Interests
Child custody in New York is awarded based on the child’s best interests. In determining the child’s best interests, the court will look to the following factors and more:
- Each parent’s relationship with the child;
- The child’s relationship with siblings and extended family members;
- The child’s ties to their school, home, and the community;
- Each parent’s role in caring for the child;
- The child’s special needs, if any;
- Each parent’s age, physical and mental health;
- The parents’ geographical proximity (for joint custody arrangements);
- Each parent’s stability;
- Each parent’s willingness to foster a relationship between the child and the other parent;
- Either parent’s history of domestic abuse; and
- Any other factor relevant to the child’s well-being.
A parent’s gender is not relevant to a custody decision.
Modification of Child Custody in New York
Once child custody orders are in place, they remain until a child ages out, is emancipated, or the custody order is modified. Either parent can file a request with the court to modify custody. However, a judge will only consider a custody modification if there is a material change in circumstances that substantially affects the child’s best interests.
Contact an Experienced Bronx Child Custody Attorney
If you are in the midst of or soon to be facing child custody challenges, the experienced Bronx divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Vivien I. Stark can help. We have the knowledge, skills, and resources available and will work diligently on behalf of you and your children.
Contact our law group today to discuss your Bronx child custody or child support issues. Our New York lawyers will gladly answer your child custody questions and address your most pressing legal concerns.