When two people have a child together, each parent has equal rights in the child’s upbringing and making important decisions.
In the event of separation or divorce, a skilled custody lawyer is crucial to ensure your parenting rights are protected and the wellbeing of the child is put before everything else.
Child Custody
Our firm has handled countless child custody cases over the years, and we will fight for your child’s best interests every step of the process. We are also experienced with child custody modifications when needed.
Types of Child Custody in New York State
- Physical Custody:Refers to which parent the child will live with the majority of the time.
- Legal Custody:Gives a parent the authority to make critical life decisions on behalf of a child.
How is Child Custody Determined?
When determining your child custody agreement, the courts will look at a wide range of factors, including:
- The child’s needs and education
- Location of parents’ homes
- Whether both parents are parentally fit
- Financial and emotional stability
- History of domestic violence/substance abuse
- The relationship between parent/child
- Child’s age and number of children
Child Support
Child support refers to the amount of money one parent pays to the other parent to help pay for the costs of caring for the child. It is dependent on several factors including finances and the needs of your child.
How Long Does Child Support Last?
In most cases, child support will end when the child reaches the age of 21. However, there are a few cases where it can end sooner, such as:
- Your child joined the military
- Your child got married
- Your child finished four years of college
- Your child is at least 18 years old and is financially stable
