Child Custody
A Guide to Fathers’ Custody Rights in New York
Historically, when parents decided to separate or divorce legally, courts nearly always awarded the mother custody of the children. Today, our culture has recognized the importance of fathers’ rights and parents of either sex in parenting effectively. As a result, the laws are different, and courts may not award child custody to a mother simply…
Read MoreWhat are some common issues that unmarried parents face?
If the unmarried parents of a child separate, then some general issues that they may face are how to establish paternity, how to file for child support, and how to file for custody or visitation. Establishing Paternity Paternity can be established if the father is listed on the child’s birth certificate, and he signed an…
Read MoreDos and don’ts for divorced couples with children during COVID-19
COVID-19 has presented practically all New York residents with economic and social challenges. Schools and nonessential businesses that cannot operate online remain closed, which means that divorced couples with children are facing parenting challenges that they could not have anticipated at the time of separation. Below is an overview of some general do’s and don’ts…
Read MoreBronx Matrimonial Parts will resume hearing cases on April 13, 2020
Starting this Monday, April 13, 2020, the Bronx County Supreme Court matrimonial part(s) will resume hearing its matrimonial cases. Currently, there are three Matrimonial Parts located within the Bronx Supreme Court, and these parts are presided over by Judge Alpert, Judge Gouldbourne, and Judge McShan, who is transitioning to another division, and Judge Martin. Judge…
Read MoreDivorce rate goes up during COVID-19 pandemic
The quarantine imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had a detrimental impact on already troubled marriages. Divorce rates are going up, which shows that couples who previously enjoyed ample time apart have not reacted well to long hours under the same roof. In Xi’an, China, divorce requests multiplied so fast that appointment slots…
Read MoreParenting time concerns due to COVID-19 outbreak
When the court orders a custody and parenting time schedule, it typically meets the needs of everyone’s present circumstances. But what if an emergency–in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic–makes that arrangement unsustainable? What if you feel that it’s not safe for the kids to travel to visit their other parent? Although everyone’s situation is unique…
Read MoreHow to be near when you’re far away
For many people, divorce leads to long-distance parenting. According to the National Center for State Courts, nearly one-quarter of the nearly 18 million children of divorce have a parent living in another city. In addition, an estimated 75% of single mothers will move at least once within four years after divorce or separation. As a…
Read MoreCommon custody issues during the holidays
One of the hardest—and most emotional—aspects of separation and divorce is child custody during the holidays. In many cases, it won’t be possible for your children to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah with both parents. How can you keep the holidays special when only one parent is with them when they unwrap their gifts on Christmas…
Read MoreDealing with your first Thanksgiving after divorce
For families, Thanksgiving is one of the best times of the year. Everyone gets together around a dinner table heaped with roast turkey and all the trimmings, happy to put their smartphones away and enjoy a meal that has been a cherished tradition for generations. For some of us, this is one of the few…
Read MoreCan you modify your own custody agreement?
Technically, yes. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Once a New York family court has issued a custody order, you and the other parent are bound by its terms unless you apply for a modification, which is generally granted only if you can demonstrate that circumstances have changed significantly since the order was…
Read MoreProving adultery in a New York divorce
Last year, the New York Post ran an article revealing that Ashley Madison, the portal that connects cheating spouses, is as popular as ever despite a catastrophic data breach in 2015. The article stated that the company’s US revenue increased by 17% in 2016 and over half of its active users are female. Until 1967,…
Read MoreSpousal misconduct in a New York divorce
Your spouse was unfaithful to you for over two years, although you only learned about it a few months ago. You’re hurt, angry, and wondering whether her actions will have any impact on the outcome of the divorce. Will she lose her bid for custody of the kids? Receive less of the marital estate? Has…
Read MoreWhat is a divorce hangover?
In 1991, a book came out called Divorce Hangover. It was about the emotional pain and turmoil that often accompanies divorce and suggested that like an alcohol hangover, it would eventually pass and leave you ready to cope with life again. The book acknowledged that divorce was a life-changing experience that aroused strong emotions like…
Read MoreHandling “back to school” as a divorced parent
Back-to-school season is stressful for parents as well as kids, but when you’re recently divorced, the challenges can be amplified. How will you split the cost of school supplies? Who will go shopping for them? Will both of you accompany the kids to the bus stop or drive them to school? The back-to-school transition is…
Read MoreSealing your New York divorce record
Divorce has an uncanny way of bringing our most private circumstances to light. Even when the split is an amicable one, details like personal finances, a child’s special needs, and other intimate information take center stage so that they can be addressed and future plans made. Therefore, it’s an alarming thought that your family, friends,…
Read MoreHow to celebrate Father’s Day as a divorced dad
Normally you look forward to Father’s Day, but if this is the first time you’ve celebrated it since your divorce, then you may be wondering how you’re going to manage. These feelings can be even more difficult if you are the noncustodial parent or you share custody but the kids live with their mom. Sometimes,…
Read MoreMental illness and divorce in New York
Although New York still recognizes fault-based divorces, it differs from states like Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas in that incurable mental illness is not one of the accepted grounds. When one spouse’s mental health condition causes them to behave erratically and aggressively toward their family, the other spouse typically cites extreme cruelty, which is grounds for…
Read MoreHow to reduce holiday shopping stress as a single parent
If you’re a newly divorced single parent, then the holidays can be more stressful than usual. You have to coordinate the holiday visitation schedule with your former spouse, plan your traditional Christmas dinner, and buy gifts for everyone. If the divorce left you with a lower household income than last year, then you might be…
Read MoreA virtual Christmas with the kids
What’s worse than not having the kids for Christmas? Not having them AND being out of the state or even the country over the holidays. Thanks to an increasingly mobile workforce, this scenario will be a reality for many divorced parents this season. It’s not a happy prospect, but remember one thing: the technological advances…
Read MoreDon’t have the kids for Thanksgiving? Here are some options
What was Thanksgiving like before the divorce? Was there a huge roast turkey on the table, finally ready for eating after tantalizing everyone with its aroma for hours? Were there last-minute rushes to the grocery store for extra cranberry sauce or whipped cream? Was it all topped by a feeling of togetherness as everyone gathered…
Read MoreWhat to do if your ex accuses you of child abuse
All good parents have one thing in common: they love their children deeply. Therefore, one of the worst things a parent can experience in a contentious family law case is an accusation of child abuse. Imagine that you are going through a divorce from a vindictive spouse. They are accusing you of all kinds of…
Read MoreWhat to do when your teenager no longer wants to visit
You and your spouse had an amicable divorce, in which you agreed to joint legal custody of your young son, Brad. The schedule called for him to spend every other weekend with you. For years, both you and your son looked forward to these weekend visits. When the weather was pleasant, you enjoyed outdoor activities…
Read MoreOverview of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
We live in a highly mobile society today, so it is not unusual for divorced parents to want to relocate to a different city, state, or country with their children for personal or work-related reasons. While some noncustodial parents view such a move as beneficial for the children and reluctantly give their blessing, others vehemently…
Read MoreChild support for special needs adults
If you’re filing for divorce and have a child with special needs, then it’s normal to be concerned about their future. Not only do they have unique medical and financial requirements, but they may also need to be supported after they become an adult. In New York, parents are typically required to support their children…
Read MoreEnforcing a child support order after divorce
Few things are more distressing for a parent than struggling to support their child financially. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many divorced parents throughout New York State. A child support order was included in the terms of the divorce, but their former spouse is chronically late or even refuses to pay at all, saying…
Read MoreAugust- the month for divorce
We’re in the home stretch where August is concerned. For kids, this is a bittersweet month for two reasons: one actual and one potential. In the first case, they only have a few weeks of freedom left before heading back to school. In the second, they may also be coping with their parents filing for…
Read MoreFacilitating child custody exchanges
Your New York divorce is over and matters of child custody and parenting time are in place. Now you and your former spouse must prepare to function as co-parents. This includes arranging custody exchanges that work for both of you as well as your children. Custody exchanges can go smoothly, or they can be emotional…
Read MoreWhen should children testify in family law proceedings?
When custody disputes occur, New York judges attempt to resolve the matter without putting the child in the position of having to choose between their parents. In some cases, however, input from the child may be necessary to give the court the information it needs to make the best decision, so a “Lincoln hearing” will…
Read MoreHow to earn extra money as a divorced stay-at-home parent
If you’re like many people, then you had to make a lot of financial changes after divorce. If you didn’t know how to budget before, then you learned quite quickly. Things are especially complicated if you’re a stay-at-home parent. Although you are definitely working full-time, being a parent doesn’t come with the paycheck it deserves.…
Read MoreVexatious litigation: What to do when your ex won’t stop dragging you into court
Some divorces are so hostile and contentious that the fight continues throughout the entire process and even long after the judge issues the divorce decree. Spouses who feel that they have been slighted feel compelled to punish the other one and don’t care whose time they waste while doing so. They begin a campaign of…
Read MoreIn and out parenting? An overview of bird’s nest custody
At first glance, it seems like an unusual custody arrangement. Every two weeks, Sandra packs a small suitcase, kisses her young son and daughter goodbye, and moves out of her Bronx home for three days while her former husband, Joe, moves in. After those three days are up, Joe drives home to Queens and Sandra…
Read MoreVirtual visitation in child custody cases
Thanks to global trade expansion and an increasingly mobile workforce, more divorced parents are relocating to new cities, states, and even countries. According to the National Center for State Courts, nearly 35 million children in the U.S. have divorced or unmarried parents and approximately 25% of them have a parent that lives in a different…
Read More4 tips for New York parents whose children were removed by Child Protective Services
Being a parent can be overwhelming. We want to do what’s best for our children by disciplining them for inappropriate or unacceptable behavior, but it sometimes happens that people who disapprove of our parenting methods overreact by calling Child Protective Services (CPS), who may conclude their initial investigation by taking the children away. Although CPS…
Read MoreYour first New Year’s after divorce—making it work
The first New Year’s after divorce is always difficult. Now that you and your spouse are no longer together, how are you going to handle the parties and social events that have been a New Year’s tradition for so long? Avoid them entirely? Talk to your ex and find out which ones he’s attending so…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between legal separation and divorce?
Ending a marriage is not a decision that anyone should take lightly. When you file for divorce, the financial and emotional effect on the rest of your life is immediate and far-reaching. Because it is so important to be sure that the marriage is irretrievably broken before initiating divorce, New York law supports an alternative…
Read MoreHoliday co-parenting tips
The holiday season is always difficult for divorced parents and their children. Parents have to let go of old grudges and bad memories so that they can work together and make the season special for the kids, who may be feeling sad at the realization that their family is now divided. Young children can be…
Read MoreDoes your ex have a homework-free policy?
When your child hands you yet another note from the school, you know without even opening it what it contains. Jane has not been doing all her homework assignments again, and the slacking off occurs on school nights when your ex has parenting time with her. You’ve talked to him about this already, and he’s…
Read MoreHow to make your kids feel more secure during divorce
When their parents divorce, children often wonder what went wrong and whether or not they might be to blame. These anxious and confused feelings are heightened when one parent moves out, splitting the household and causing them to see that parent less often. Although there is no way to ease the pain of divorce completely,…
Read MoreEstablishing paternity in New York
Fatherhood includes certain obligations and rights. Once a child’s paternity is established, the father has the right to see him or her and be actively involved in his or her life. Even if he elects not to do so, then he still has both a moral and legal obligation to support the child. When a…
Read MoreWays that a criminal record can affect your child custody case
It’s common knowledge that a criminal record can have a detrimental effect on your life. Not only are there immediate penalties such as significant fines and possible incarceration, but you also face long-term complications such as restricted employment options, loss of access to public benefits, and even challenges when you seek custody of your children.…
Read MoreFour tips for summer parenting time
As the last day of school before summer break approaches, we feel a more pressing need to confirm vacation plans for the summer. For divorced parents who have agreed to establish their own vacation schedule, this can be as difficult as it is exciting. We would love to take the kids to Disney World in…
Read MoreChild support arrears
Parents are obligated to support their children even if their relationship comes to an end. When this happens, the typical arrangement is that the non-custodial parent pays child support to the parent who retains primary custody, with the amount calculated to cover the children’s needs and help them enjoy a lifestyle similar to the one…
Read MoreFour tips for summer parenting time
As the last day of school before summer break approaches, we feel a more pressing need to confirm vacation plans for the summer. For divorced parents who have agreed to establish their own vacation schedule, this can be as difficult as it is exciting. We would love to take the kids to Disney World in…
Read MoreHow to appear in Bronx Family Court telephonically
Sometimes circumstances leave you unable to attend your upcoming appearance date in Bronx Family Court. Perhaps you now live in a different state or even country, or an emergency has come up, forcing you to be out of New York when court is in session. Provided your absence is for a valid reason, you may…
Read MoreHow to minimize stress for kids during divorce
Once the decision is made to end your marriage, you’ll likely feel a powerful surge of emotions: grief, anger, sadness, maybe even relief. Chances are that your children are feeling just as strongly about the way their lives are about to change. How a child will react to the news of parental separation will vary,…
Read MoreWhat types of child visitation schedules can be set up in Bronx Family Court?
Child visitation allows the parent who does not reside with the children an opportunity to see them on a regular basis. When two former spouses have an amicable post-divorce relationship, they can work together to come up with a visitation schedule that works for everyone involved while remaining in the best interests of the children.…
Read MoreFather’s petition to be reunited with daughter denied under international law
Many think of the island of St. Martin in the Caribbean, which belongs to France and the Netherlands as a tropical paradise. However, the description of the island as a “paradise†is not entirely the situation for a family of three who recently faced a family law battle in the U.S. District Court for the…
Read MoreBenefits of hiring a family law attorney
Many individuals who are about to become involved in a New York family law matter, such as divorce, child custody, and support, or spousal maintenance, wonder whether they should hire a family law attorney to represent them or save some money and handle their own case. While there is no law that requires you to…
Read MoreWhat cases does a Bronx family court lawyer handle?
Family law deals with domestic relations, so Bronx family court lawyers represent clients in divorce proceedings and associated matters such as spousal maintenance, child custody and support, and division of marital property. Many lawyers also assist victims of domestic violence in civil protection court order proceedings. Child custody There are two types of custody arrangement…
Read MoreLitigated divorce in New York
A litigated divorce is one where both parties can’t come to an agreement and resort to the courts to settle their differences. This type of divorce usually happens when one party refuses to settle on key issues, deliberately hides information such as financial records, or refuses to disclose details about all property they owned prior…
Read MoreSocial media in New York divorce actions
Most people today are using some form of social media. It can be a great way to keep friends and family up to date about what you’re doing, especially if you don’t see them often. Unwise use of social media, however, it can get you in a lot of trouble, especially during a divorce action.…
Read MoreSame sex divorces in New York
Same-sex marriage has been legal in New York State since the passing of the Marriage Equality Act in 2011 and, as with all unions, divorce is always an unfortunate possibility. The requirements for same-sex divorce are the same as those that apply to heterosexual couples: you must satisfy the residency requirements set forth in New…
Read MoreSupreme and family court appeals in New York
Appealing a decision or order from the New York Supreme or Family Court is a complicated process. To begin with, you should have sufficient grounds for appealing: being dissatisfied with the outcome of your case is not enough. The following circumstances must also apply: You or your attorney must have objected to the issue during…
Read MoreConsidering moving after a family court case? Think again.
Two recently separated New York parents obtained a child custody and visitation agreement. According to an October 18, 2016, New York Law Journal article, the father wished to modify this agreement. In the agreement, the two parents agreed to reside within fifteen miles of each other to benefit their child. The father sought to change…
Read MoreChild custody and relocation in New York
When a couple divorces in New York State, child custody and the possibility of future relocation will invariably come up if there are minor children involved. In general, there are two types of custody arrangements: sole and joint. Both situations involve one parent receiving sole physical custody of the children while the other parent retains…
Read MoreDivorce and child support in New York
Under New York law, children are entitled to benefit from the income and standard of living that their parents enjoy. When those parents divorce, the noncustodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent so that any children under 21 are not left financially bereft by the separation. Child support in New York State is…
Read MoreQuestions to ask yourself when you are thinking about getting a divorce
Making the final determination to move forward with a divorce is not easy for anyone, even if you suspect in the back of your mind that this is the right decision for you. Planning ahead carefully and speaking with a New York divorce attorney can help to dispel some of the most common myths associated…
Read MoreThe value of healthy parent-child relationships after divorce
Although divorce can wreck emotional havoc on everyone involved, it is important to try to stabilize healthy parent-child relationships once the divorce has concluded. In many cases, there are so many emotions happening between the divorcing partners that the feelings of their shared children can easily be swept under the rug after the divorce is…
Read MoreSupporting your kids during a divorce
As a parent, a divorce can impact your life deeply. Trying to figure out the best way to tell the children about the plans is just the beginning, because then you need to enter the stage of changing their life in a big way. As you might expect, not all children are going to react…
Read MoreWhat about pet custody?
Although child custody is often one of the most hotly contested aspects of a divorce, many individuals with and without children also face challenges over what happens to family pets when a marriage dissolves. While normal property can be sold or divided, a beloved pet is irreplaceable. The conversation about what happens to a shared…
Read MoreAn easier path ahead for Catholics wanting to end their marriage
Pope Francis announced last week that the church aims to make it simpler and faster for Catholics who want to get a marriage annulment. This painful process has been known to take years and frustrate both spouses, which is why the church has taken some action to address growing concerns. Many people who have wanted…
Read MoreSame-sex divorce remains yet to be clearly defined
With all the recent news about same-sex marriage, there is a lot of legal precedents that remains to be set with regard to same-sex divorce. Although the phenomenon of parting ways from a same-sex marriage is not necessarily new, it has not been handled in America’s courts in the high numbers that heterosexual marriages have.…
Read MoreDogs of New York: Pets are the new custody issue in NY
When it comes to child custody, there is years of case law and relevant application to help consider how a court might decide. There are clear guidelines about how things should happen, and established systems for helping divorcing couples navigate the process during and after the divorce. What about pets, though? There is a lot…
Read MoreStudy examines emotional wellbeing of children in various custody living arrangements
Ever since 1976, Sweden permitted joint physical custody. Joint physical custody is a living arrangement whereby children live part of the time with one parent and part of the time with another. This arrangement has been on the rise in that country and now; about 30-40% of children whose parents are separated live in a…
Read MoreParent’s implied consent to child’s relocation
When a parent relocates to another country with his or her minor child, he or she usually needs the consent of the other parent. However, consent can be implied based on the actions of the parents as was the case described by a recent New York Law Journal article. A couple that met in New…
Read MoreFather gets overnight visits despite mother and daughter’s qualms
Sometimes, parents do not have equal custody of their child or children. This may result from their schedules, their locations, or it may result from a decision regarding who would be the best parent to take care of the child or children provided that the parents have separated. The Administration for Child Services (ACS) can…
Read MoreNew York Domestic Relations Law and Incest
New York’s law on domestic relations is codified in the Domestic Relations Law which consists of 16 Articles which are further divided into 272 Sections. Substantive Sections include Sections 5 through 61 (marriages and rights of spouses); Sections 71 through 78-A (child custody); Sections 80 through 85 (guardianship); Sections 109 through 117 (adoption); Sections 121…
Read MoreNew York State Domestic Relations Law summarized
The Domestic Relations Law is part of New York’s legal code. This part is often abbreviated, DRL. The DRL is composed of sixteen articles. These articles form the backbone of New York’s laws on marriage, divorce and family law. A summary of each article of the DRL follows. Article 1 The article gives the short…
Read MoreWife cannot move her case from Family Court to Supreme Court
When one has a case in both in Family Court and New York State Supreme Court, it is possible to combine, or consolidate, these case cases into one court only. However, that is not always permitted as evidenced by a case mentioned by the New York Law Journal’s August 14, 2014 edition. A family had…
Read MoreCourt decides child will stay in US in international custody case
The mother of a child was granted custody of the child. The two live in the United States. Later, the father petitioned to get custody of the child according to an October 17, 2014 New York Law Journal article. He was allowed to bring this petition to court due to regulations from the Hague Convention…
Read MoreNBA player father has paternity petition dismissed in New York but not custody petitions
A mother of a child wanted to have the potential, or putative, father declared the legal father. While the couple had already taken a paternity test, this was a private paternity test. The test found the putative father to be the real father with 99.99% likelihood according to the New York Law Journal. For the…
Read MoreBy not permitting dinner at McDonald’s father is found an unfit parent
After four years of marriage, one Manhattan couple decided to get divorced according to November 7, 2013 New York Post article. The two spouses were parents of a young son and they each had partial physical custody of their child. That means that the son spends time with each of them. While the divorce case…
Read MoreI have been served divorce papers. Now what?
Being served with divorce papers can often be confusing, and often embarrassing. The following months and in some cases years, can be long and emotionally difficult. Firstly, there are different types of service that may be made in a case. In the case of a divorce, personal service must be made, what this means is…
Read MoreNative American child is allowed to stay with adoptive parents
The father of a Native American child has been in a struggle to obtain “permanent custody†of his child under the laws governing Native Americans. Recently Oklahoma’s highest court held that the father can “continue to raise her for the moment,†but the child will eventually be returned to her adoptive parents as reported by…
Read MoreMillionaire is not required to pay child support because he is considered the “custodial parentâ€
In New York State, if parents are divorced or separated, then child support is ordered to be paid by the non-custodial parent of a child to the custodial parent of a child. Recently, a New York Appellate Court overturned a New York Supreme Court decision. The decision hinged on technicalities of who had custody of…
Read MoreIncrease in case load leads to creation of new website
New York City Family Courts have experienced a rise in the number of family law cases that it handles yearly. As a result, the New York City Family Courts want to make some information readily accessible to the general public so that the public can become educated on certain matters as well as stay informed…
Read MorePost-Divorce Tax Considerations
Filing jointly or separately Getting divorced often means changes in the way you fill out your tax return. You will be able elect among filing a joint return, a married separate return and a separate return depending on your marital status as of December 31st, regardless of the date you file your taxes. If you…
Read MoreHomeless mother pays child support after child’s emancipation
Child support payments are paid by one parent until the child obtains the age of 21 or is legally emancipated whichever event occurs first. After this, the parent who pays child support is released from their child support obligation. A mother who was unable to take care of her son moved out of New York…
Read MoreSex offender was denied his due process rights
Ferry, a sex offender, was sent to prison and was released in 2009. Then he was sent to a mental institution. While he was in prison he was neither able to appear for his family court proceeding nor was he represented in court. Nevertheless, the family court granted his aunt sole custody of his two…
Read MoreMillionaire dad would not have to pay child support
Many couples get separated after having a baby, and with the separation comes the child support obligation. One of the parents, either the mother or the father, has to pay support for the child, most likely the father will; and most definitely if the father is a millionaire. According to a case reported on April…
Read MoreBronx family attorney discusses father’s ability to relocate child outside of New York
A New York Family Court affirmed a father’s ability to relocate his child from New York to Illinois. According to a December 3, 2012 New York Law Journal news article the mother of the child appealed modifications made to a Family Court order. Under the modifications, the father was granted sole physical custody of the…
Read MoreBronx family attorney discusses the types of child custody
Before understanding all of the factors that are applied in a child custody dispute, it is important to know what the term actual involves. Child custody is the legal relationship between a parent and the child. However, there are three types of custody: physical, legal, and joint. Physical custody determines where the child’s main residence…
Read MoreFather’s parental rights in child custody disputes
In New York, a parent may obtain full child custody and visitation rights even if the parents were never married. However, when it comes to a father’s rights they must either have been married to the child’s mother or signed an ‘Acknowledgment of Paternity’ before they are granted custody rights. Legal paternity must be established…
Read MoreMother’s ability to get a suitable home leads to her gaining full physical custody of child
A New York family court ruled that physical custody should be returned to a mother after the mother demonstrated she found a suitable home, as reported by the New York Law Journal in a December 3, 2012 article. In the original court order, the parents were granted joint legal custody of their child with the…
Read MoreFather’s cousin denied custody of child for failing to establish she was a better fit than the parents
A New York woman petitioned the Family Court seeking to obtain custody of her cousin’s child. According to a March 4, 2013 New York Law Journal article the child is currently in foster care because the mother was found to have neglected the child’s needs. The woman’s petition was met with hostility from the mother,…
Read MoreBronx child custody lawyer comments on New York court favoring joint-custody for child custody
In a February 4, 2013 New York Law Journal article, a Family Court Judge decided that it was in the best interest of the child that his parents work together and co-parent. Over the last year, the parents have had a joint-custody agreement allowing for the child to see both of his parents an equal…
Read MoreParent in a same-sex relationship allowed parental rights over adoptive child
A woman sought to obtain child visitation or joint custody over the children that she co-parented while in a relationship with the child’s mother, as reported by the Topeka Capital Journal in a February 22, 2013 news article. During the women’s relationship the mother of child was artificially inseminated and gave birth to two children.…
Read MoreVideo: Do Child Support & Custody Come Hand In Hand?
Facebook posting used against other in custody dispute
An Albany Appellate Division awarded sole custody to the father of the child after the court saw an improper posting on Facebook made by the child’s mother, as reported by the New York Law Journal in a February 19, 2013 article. The posting in question involved the mother calling her 10-year-old son an “asshole†on…
Read MoreChild’s statements lead court to grant sole custody to mother and allow her to move outside of the country
New York parents argued in court over whether their custody order should be modified, as reported by the New York Law Journal in a December 14, 2012 article. The original order granted both parents joint legal custody but gave sole physical custody to the mother with visitation to the father. The mother sought to modify…
Read MoreVideo: Hague Convention and Internation Child Custody
Infographic: Unpaid Child Support
Bronx family attorney comments on mother’s denied a petition for relocation
After having her petition for relocation denied a New York mother attempted to seek the same relief from another family court judge, as reported by the New York Law Journal in a December 14, 2012 article. Although the original judge did not deny her ability to move, the judge did deny her ability to relocate…
Read MoreIs “bird-nesting†a good option after divorce?
What is bird-nesting? After a divorce with a child or children involved, there are a few options for parenting. One is sole custody, where one parent has control over the children. The non-custodial spouse can apply for visitation rights. Another option is joint custody where both parents share custody over the child. Bird-nesting has been…
Read MoreBronx child custody lawyer comments on how to file for custody
Either of the child’s parents may file for custody rights in New York. Although a parent may file without an attorney, the courts strongly recommend that you consult one to ensure all of your rights are protected. Furthermore, in some rare cases if you cannot afford an attorney due to extreme financial hardships, then the…
Read More“Attorney for the Child” in child custody cases
Under New York law, in the majority of child custody and visitation cases, the court will assign an “Attorney for the Child.†An attorney for the child is an attorney assigned and paid for by the courts to represent the child’s interest. These attorneys are normally attorneys who have prior child custody and visitation experience.…
Read MoreEvidence from dating sites become common in divorce cases
According to a new American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) report, more lawyers are obtaining information about the opposing party from online dating sites. The report states that 59% of the country’s top divorce attorneys reported their increased use of collecting relevant evidence from sites like Match.com. This type of evidence has started to become…
Read MoreVideo: Mother Prevented From Taking Child Out Of Country
Bronx child custody lawyer discusses how the court decides which parent gets custody
Before a court may review your claim for child custody they must obtain jurisdiction over the case. Jurisdiction is the court’s authority to listen to and have authority over the case before them. Generally, the New York Family Court will have jurisdiction over the case if the child lived in New York for the past…
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