Columbia County Family Lawyer

When your family is at stake, there is no other more important legal case worth winning. This is why a trusted, experienced Columbia County family lawyer is so important. The Colwell Law Group, LLC is here to offer assistance in all types of family law disputes and proceedings. We fight for our clients’ best interests and build cases that show them in their true and best light, despite what the other party may say or believe. Contact us today to speak with one of our compassionate lawyers. We represent clients in all of the following areas of family law:

• Child custody;
• Paternity;
• Divorce;
• Family offense proceedings;
• Child abuse or neglect proceedings;
• Interstate support issues; and
• Grandparent visitation.

Child Custody Decisions in Columbia County

While it is desirable to work out custody agreements amicably, sometimes it is necessary to have the court decide. The court will always decide in favor of what it believes is in the child’s best interests. Typically, it is in the child’s best interests to grant joint custody, though that is not always the case. But what specific factors does the court look at when making a child custody decision? The court uses the following criteria:

• Who has been the primary caregiver of the child?
• Relationship that each parent has with the child;
• Relationship that the child has with siblings;
• Work schedules of each parent;
• Physical and mental health of each parent;
• Each parent’s financial ability to provide;
• The potential domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, and criminal history of each parent; and;
• The child’s desire, regarding which parent to live with, if they are old enough to make an informed decisions.

Our dedicated Columbia County attorneys could help you protect your family by becoming your advocate during child custody proceedings.

Paternity

It is often necessary to prove who the child’s biological father is when it comes to children born out of wedlock. A DNA paternity test can help a mother receive child support, a father deny child support to a child that is not his, or a father be given custody or visitation rights.

Divorce

According to New York Courts, there must be “grounds” for divorce. Typically, grounds for divorce involve an irreparable breakdown in the relationship or adultery. Whatever the reason may be, it is important to have a Columbia County lawyer on your side who will protect your property, right to be with your child, support payments during any family legal matter.

Grandparent Visitation

According to the New York Courts, anyone who plays an important role in the child’s life can file for custody or visitation rights, not just the child’s parents. If there are extraordinary circumstances, a grandparent may be considered for custody rights. In other most other circumstances, visitation rights are given more commonly.

Speak with a Columbia County Family Attorney

The attorneys of the Colwell Law Group pride themselves on their abilities to de-escalate charged emotional situations and resolve important legal matters for parents and spouses with all matters of family law needs. Contact one of our Columbia County family lawyers today to set up a no-risk consultation and to begin working on your legal strategy to put these matters behind you.

Get The Best Outcome For Your Children

Learn how to help your kids cope with your divorce with our complimentary guide for parents who are getting divorced or separated in New York.

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