New York has the power to determine custody of children and to award “access” or parenting time.
Issues regarding children are decided “in the best interest of the child,” thereby affording the court broad discretion in determining custody. In some cases the court will appoint an attorney for the child to represent their wishes.
In addition to strategizing how to approach custody, we assist our clients in envisioning post divorce child rearing. It takes experience and intuition to foresee the potential obstacles for co parenting and plan accordingly. A custody agreement or determination with dictate decision making responsibility and physical residence of the children which might include an application for relocation.
New York makes both parents responsible for the financial support of their children, through a combination of formulaic and discretionary factors that may be difficult to navigate. Our firm will bring practical knowledge to the costs of raising children in New York.