While many parents hope to raise their children together, there are situations where it is necessary to terminate one parent’s rights. When a parent’s rights are terminated, it means that they are no longer legally responsible for the child. This is done when it is in...
Child Custody & Parenting Time
Drafting a parenting agreement in New York
As newly separated parents in New York, one of your first tasks will be coming up with a plan to raise your children post-divorce. The parenting agreement, once approved by a judge, will be legally binding. As you draft your agreement, you will want to make sure you...
What can I do if my custody dispute goes international?
If you are a parent in Westchester or White Plains, New York, and you are involved in a custody dispute with your ex-spouse who lives in another country, you may be worried about the possibility of international child abduction. It is considered an international child...
Should I consider collaborative law?
Going through the divorce or custody process in New York can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, especially if you have never been involved with the court system before. You may have heard of something called collaborative law, but not be sure exactly what it...
How do judges determine the best interests of children for custody?
During a divorce in New York emotions can run high. It is not easy ending a shared married life and starting a new one. However, if the divorce involves minor children the parents will not necessarily be completely separated. They will still be the parents to their...
Can my child choose which parent to live with?
If you have gone through the custody process in New York, you know that it can be complicated, and having to follow a custody order you do not agree with is difficult. Many parents mistakenly believe that once their child reaches a certain age, the child can tell a...
Can I appeal a Family Court order if I do not like the outcome?
Family law cases involving property division, alimony and child custody are often rife with conflicting opinions and sometimes a judgment just does not go the way you want it to. This is both disappointing and frustrating. If you think the court made a mistake when...
Options for sharing child custody during the holidays
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly true when it comes to sharing child custody after your divorce. A comprehensive, detailed custody order provides for virtually every contingency. Both you and your ex will have a clear picture...
Can I take my child out of state for a holiday trip?
Winter break is almost here for many New York children, much to their delight. Many parents like to travel out of state to visit family or take a vacation while their child has time off from school. But if a parent is divorced, taking their child out of state even for...
What are the differences between legal and physical custody?
Going through a divorce in New York is not generally an easy process. Dividing people’s lives while dealing with the emotions that come with the end of a marriage can be exhausting. While all parts of the divorce can be difficult, one of the more difficult parts can...