Parents must be able to protect their child custody rights. There are perhaps no cases that are filled with more intense, raw emotions than child custody disputes. If you are getting divorced, or are otherwise involved in any type of child custody or visitation case, you need be ready to take action to preserve your parental rights and protect the health and wellbeing of your kids.
At The Colwell Law Group, LLC, our compassionate Warren County child custody lawyers are proud to be dedicated advocates for parents throughout the area. If you are involved in a child custody dispute, our Warren County child custody attorneys are prepared to find the best solution for you and your family.
In New York state, there are two aspects to every child custody agreement/order: legal custody and physical custody.
Legal custody refers to which parent or parents have the decision making authority, regarding certain important aspects of a child’s life. Examples include where the child will go to school, what medical treatment will the child receive, if the child will attend church, etc.
Physical custody refers to where the child will spend the majority of their time. In other words, the parent that has physical custody of the child will be the parent that the child lives with. They will have the responsibility to care for and supervise the child on a day-to-day basis.
Any combination of custody can be granted. For example, a parent could be awarded both sole physical custody and sole legal custody. Alternatively, a Warren County parent may be granted sole physical, but their former partner may be granted joint legal custody.
Under the New York Family Court Act, child custody decisions are made under the state’s ‘best interests of the child’ legal standard. With this standard in mind, Warren County family law judges are required to find a custody arrangement that is best for the children. The desires, needs, and interests of the parents will always be a secondary consideration. In a child custody dispute, New York family law courts will review a wide range of factors to determine what type of arrangement will best protect the physical safety, emotional health, social development, and overall well-being of the child.
All New York parents must understand the implications of the standard. To prevail in a child custody dispute, you must be able to present evidence that proves that your preferred custody/visitation arrangement is what is best for your child. Parents involved in a dispute should be sure to hire an experienced New York child custody lawyer who can help them build and present a strong case.
At The Colwell Law Group, LLC, our compassionate New York child custody lawyers are standing by, ready to help you protect your parental rights. We understand how sensitive child custody and visitation cases can be.
To get immediate help, please contact our legal team today for your fully confidential consultation. We represent parents throughout Warren County, including in Queensbury, Glens Falls, lake Georgia, Stony Creek, Bolton, and Chester.
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