Child Custody Lawyer New York
The Best Interests of the Child
As a general rule, the guiding principle the New York courts use to decide who should get custody of a child is to consider what would be in the best interests of the child. Not which parent is better, not which parent is richer, and not which parent is more innocent in a divorce proceeding.
The best interest of the child may include considerations about what the child is used to doing, the status quo, the school that they attend and whether they can stay there, the place where they live and whether they should stay there, the parent who looks after the child the most on a day-to-day basis.
Another consideration may be whether the child has been abused, or witnessed abuse to the other parent. Abuse can involve regular verbal abuse, and psychological or physical abuse by a parent.
It is possible to apply for Sole Custody or Joint Custody and the right of the other parent to visit and see the child can also be decided by the court. Click the links below for more information.
For an initial free consultation with an attorney call 1 888 524 9776.