When parents in New York get divorced, they will have to face the emotional reality of determining a child custody arrangement. This is often a very difficult agreement for parents to come to, as the mere idea of spending less time with one’s child can be devastating. When parents cannot make a decision on child custody on their own and the matter is contested, they may have to rely on the court to decide for them. A judge in the family court system is always going to rule based on the child’s best interests.
When looking to determine the child’s best interests for custody matters, the court will assess a number of different factors, including:
- The age and health of the child
- The bond between the child and each parent
- The mental and physical health of each parent
- Each parent’s ability to provide for the child
- Each parent’s history of domestic violence
- Each parent’s history of drug or alcohol abuse
- The lifestyle and work schedule of each parent
Sole vs. Joint Custody
In the majority of situations, the court will award a shared custody agreement, though it usually isn’t split directly in half. However, if the court determines that one parent is “unfit” to have custody and care for the child, they may award sole custody to the other parent. That being said, the parent that has lost custody may still be able to request visitation.
If you have questions about child custody in New York, contact our firm today.
Zimmet Law Group, P.C. is an experienced team of attorneys guiding clients through matters of estate planning and administration, divorce and family law, real estate, commercial litigation, business law, bankruptcy, and landlord-tenant law. If you require the services of an effective New York City attorney, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
