Goshen Child Custody Lawyer
Divorces are emotional situations due to the various elements involved. Child custody is an especially charged situation. Both parents often want full custody and one parent may seek revenge on the other so they can get what they want.
However, the court does not make child custody rulings based on the best interests of the parents. Instead, the best interest of the child is kept in mind. The court looks at various factors but does not favor one parent over the other. Under New York’s child custody law, children are presumed to do best if they have consistent contact with both parents. Still, the court needs to designate a residential parent and a non-residential parent.
Determining child custody can be complex. A Goshen child custody lawyer from The Law Office of Robert S. Sunshine, P.C. can help you deal with custody, visitation, and modifications.
Best Interest of the Child
When a court case affects a child, like child custody, the court will consider the best interest of the child when making its decision. There is no cut and dry definition of “best interest” of the child. Generally, it refers to the factors that the judge considers when deciding on custody matters, such as which parent will best serve the child. In New York, the child’s health and safety are the biggest concerns when making a decision on child custody. Some factors that go into this include:
- Which parent has been the main caregiver of the child
- The parenting skills of each parent
- The ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs
- Any abuse, neglect, or domestic violence by either parent
- The mental and physical health of both parents
- The child’s relationships with siblings and other family members
- Work schedules and child care plans of each parent
- Each parent’s ability to cooperate and encourage a relationship with the other parent
- What the child wants, depending on the age of the child
Types of Timesharing Schedules
As for timesharing, many parents use the traditional every other weekend/every other holiday arrangement. However, some parents prefer nontraditional alternatives. In New York, some common schedules include:
- Block scheduling. Children spend two weeks with Parent A, two weeks with Parent B, and then the cycle repeats. Parents and children like this schedule, as it is very predictable and results in a roughly 50-50 division.
- Extended weekend. Some parents start weekend visitation early (like on Wednesday night) and end it on Monday morning tp being the timesharing close to 50-50.
Contact The Law Office of Robert S. Sunshine, P.C. Today
Child custody orders need to be followed to a T. Details are important to children, as they need structure and predictability to thrive. At The Law Office of Robert S. Sunshine, P.C., we understand how devastating a divorce can be to both the parents and the children. However, the law allows for the best interest of the child, so we’ll make sure applicable rules are followed. To schedule a consultation with a Goshen child custody lawyer, fill out the online form or call (845) 735-1300.
