Last Updated on: 28th July 2023, 07:15 pm

When parents split, the divorce decree specifies who among the divorced couple will live with the children. The court will also spell out the conditions under which the other parent can see the children. They frequently agree on these arrangements between themselves, either freely or with the assistance of a mediator or an attorney. When some parents cannot agree on child custody, the court may step in and make a decision based on the kid’s best interests. Here are some decision-making and care possibilities that may arise as a result of a child custody judgement. The court’s decision on child custody is always in the child’s best interests.

Legal and physical custody

Often, the court grants physical custody to one parent, who will live with the child for the most of the time. However, in many circumstances, the custodial and noncustodial parents will share legal custody of the kid. Legal custody implies that the parent has the authority to make essential decisions for the child’s life, such as healthcare, religion, education, and so on.

Shared custody

Some parents may choose a joint custody arrangement in which the child spends about equal time with each parent. Those who support this arrangement argue that it lessens the child’s sense of loss during the divorce process. Some, however, believe that it is ideal for the child to have a single home, with the noncustodial parent free to visit the child whenever they choose. According to detractors, the setup necessitates maximal parental cooperation. Courts frequently refuse to recognize shared custody agreements unless the two parents agree on the arrangement and can collaborate and make joint choices for the child’s sake.

Shared custody

This arrangement provides for one single parent to have custody of one or more of the couple’s children while the other parent cares for the others. Many individuals oppose this alternative, and even the courts oppose isolating siblings when issuing a ruling.

Parents who are not married

In the event of an unmarried spouse, the statute frequently awards sole physical custody to the mother unless the father petitions the court for custody. In many circumstances, an unwed father cannot obtain custody of the child, especially if the mother is a decent parent. The unmarried father, on the other hand, will take precedence over others such as relatives, foster parents, or future adoptive parents.

Factors taken into account while making custody decisions

When choosing who will have custody of the children, the courts take into account a number of issues. Frequently, the courts will rule in favor of the child’s best interests. However, such a selection may be difficult to make. The courts frequently evaluate which parent has been the primary caregiver for the child. When it comes to grown children, the court will take their preferences into account when making a custody judgment. While the child’s best interests remain constant, here are some considerations that judges consider before reaching a decision.

The wishes of the child, but only if the child is old enough to communicate their preference.
Parents’ physical and mental health
Considerations of culture and religion
Need for a healthy home environment Evidence of parental drug use, alcoholism, or sex abuse
Signs of Parental Emotional Abuse
Excessive parental discipline
School adjustment
Connections and interdependence with other members of the household
The support and opportunity provided to the child by engaging with members of either parent’s extended family.

Queens Child Support Lawyers can fully protect your legal interests.
Divorce proceedings are among the most legally complex and emotionally taxing of all court matters in Queens, New York, and the United States. Child support is one of the potentially most controversial aspects of a divorce case.

Over the last two decades, New York law has been reformed in an attempt to make child support matters less controversial. This has included the development of particular rules aimed at making child support calculation more standardized and less subjective.

Child Support in the Short Term
The spouses file motions for temporary orders at the start of a divorce case. Temporary orders address matters like as child custody, parenting time or visitation, and child support.
When the court issues a temporary child support order, the child support rules come into play. The standards largely include both parents’ income when assessing the noncustodial parent’s child support obligation. Other considerations include unusual expenses that may arise in a certain scenario. These can include child-related medical bills.

Child Support Order “Permanent”
The court will include a “permanent” child support order as part of the marriage dissolution judgment at the conclusion of a divorce proceeding. Once again, the New York Child Support Guidelines are used to calculate the ultimate child support order in a divorce proceeding.

Child Support Collection
Unfortunately, there are numerous cases where the parent obligated to pay child support fails to do so. In other words, this parent violates a court judgment for child maintenance.

When this occurs, the parent who is to receive child support payments on behalf of a child must seek assistance with child support enforcement. A parent who needs to seek the execution of a child support order has several choices. These include the possibility of receiving aid from the state of New York as well as obtaining the professional services of an expert Queens child support lawyer.

Modifying Child Support
There may come a moment when there is a reasonable basis to change or amend a child support order. For example, if a parent’s income has significantly changed, an adjustment to an existing child support order may be justified.
The parents can agree to change a child support order. If no agreement is achieved, a parent may file a move with the court to request such a change.

Not only must there be a significant change in income to justify a change in child support, but there must also be a period of time between the formation of a child support obligation and an attempt to change that order. The law prohibits regular and routine changes to child support orders, either upwards or downwards.

Even when parents agree to adjust a child support obligation, a court will nevertheless review the proposed modification to ensure that it is consistent with the rules. Except in exceptional situations, New York law prohibits large variations from the child support guidelines.

Employ Skilled Queens Child Support Attorneys
In general, attempting to resolve child support disputes without the assistance of a lawyer is not a good idea. Rather, you should seriously consider hiring legal representation.

To learn more about the law and your legal rights, you can schedule an introductory consultation with a Queens child support attorney. In general, there is no payment for this type of meeting with a potential client. You can get an evaluation of your case and answers to your queries through such a consultation.

Divorce is difficult for everyone. It’s difficult on you, your ex, and your families. It’s extremely difficult for your children. Breaking up their sole home will have an impact on their mental and emotional health. That is why it is preferable to try to organize custody in a way that prioritizes their needs.

If you and your ex-partner decided to separate in a peaceful and friendly manner, you may find some benefit in reaching a custody agreement through mediation rather than a judicial action.
The frequency of mediations has increased in the previous decade or so, as more divorcing spouses have chosen a less expensive and hurtful method of divorce. The process entails the two of you working through issues and reaching sensible conclusions. Child custody and support issues may come up during these negotiations. It is one that many people like because it produces more logical results. As you go through the mediation process, you need have an experienced child custody lawyer at your side.

If you are going through a difficult divorce, you will have an even greater need for an attorney that has handled child custody and support matters. A difficult and emotionally charged break-up necessitates greater attention. You must do everything possible to retain and protect your parental rights. It is equally critical to consider the child’s material requirements.

Although your child will require a lot of love and nurturing as they grow up in a divided household, their daily necessities and future schooling should not be overlooked. A divided household is less financially and materially stable than a combined household. The custody and support arrangements you seek should reflect this.

Whether you seek sole custody or shared custody, you must ensure that enough money is coming into your home to properly care for your child. As a result, you should engage a lawyer that has vast experience and competence managing these types of matters.

Obtaining a fair and just child custody arrangement requires planning. The attorney you employ must, of course, understand the law; nevertheless, they must also be skilled at bringing the facts of the case to bear.

If you can avoid a child custody trial, the arrangement will be reached by negotiation. The attorney you pick should be effective in the courtroom. They will represent you as you fight to safeguard your interests, so they must understand how to persuade the attorneys on your ex’s side of the table to concede. First impressions are important in establishing whether the lawyer you’re considering employing can do this. Independent research is a more essential technique to evaluate their strengths. This will give you an idea of their track record and reputation for achieving beneficial outcomes for their clients.

A custody and support case that gets to trial necessitates a unique set of abilities. Family court judges truly want to do what is best for the children of divorced parents. Cases in which one parent seeks exclusive custody are more likely to go before a judge. If you are that parent, your attorney’s speaking and arguments style must establish decisively that your child is best off with you. Only a few lawyers have the expertise and experience to handle such a case. You must take precautions to ensure that yours is among them.

Divorce proceedings involve emotionally challenging and legally complex issues, one of which is child support. In past decades, New York law has tried to make child support-related issues less contentious by creating specific guidelines to provide a more standardized calculation method. Child support enforcement may become necessary when a parent obliged to pay child support fails to honor that obligation. To alter an existing child support order, a significant change in income, as well as meeting a certain duration requirement, is necessary. Attempting to address child support issues without legal assistance is generally not advisable, and hiring an experienced child custody lawyer can be beneficial in sorting out the legal intricacies. In a divorce, it is essential to ensure that child custody arrangements protect the child’s best interests.