Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am involved in court proceedings with my child's other parent in New York. The other parent has temporary visitation and is supposed to contact my child through a specific parental app at a set time, as directed by the court order. However, they frequently call at different times and use... View More

answered on Apr 11, 2025
You should file a combined contempt and enforcement petition coupled with a change of custody It is not in the best interests of the child to sleep with her father. I’d contact the attorney for the child because if there is one a pitiful. For change coming from the attorney for the child... View More
I fostered a child for over a year, but the child has now been returned to their biological parents. During the fostering period, there were no legal proceedings to terminate the biological parents' rights, and I haven’t tried to adopt the child. I would like to know if I can obtain parental... View More

answered on Mar 25, 2025
I understand that this is likely a very emotional situation for you, especially after forming a strong bond with the child during the foster placement. In New York, however, the law gives significant weight to the rights of biological parents, particularly when those rights have not been terminated... View More
I am involved in a child custody case where the other parent currently has temporary custody, although I had full custody of our child until January this year. I have had custody for our child's entire life, largely due to the other parent's long history of neglect and abuse. I would like... View More

answered on Mar 25, 2025
I understand how upsetting it must be to lose temporary custody, especially after having been the primary caregiver for your child's entire life. Regaining full custody in New York after a temporary order has been issued involves demonstrating to the court that a change is in the child's... View More
I am involved in a child custody case where the other parent currently has temporary custody, although I had full custody of our child until January this year. I have had custody for our child's entire life, largely due to the other parent's long history of neglect and abuse. I would like... View More

answered on Mar 27, 2025
We have no idea what happened to this asker. Another parent entered the picture in January, and poof, the child's custody is flipped and the question is how to unflip. We need more information: the facts, the age of the child, the living details of the parents (incomes), copies of transcripts... View More
In one county, a woman lost custody and parental rights to her child, who was then moved to another county. Despite this, she continued to receive child support from the father in the first county, as the court was unaware of the custody change. The child support order continued for over 17 years,... View More

answered on Mar 16, 2025
A person can not go to jail simply for receiving child support under a valid child support order. However if the person lied under oath in court about where the child lives, whether the child was emancipated or if service of process was validly effectual, those are criminal perjury.
I am going through a messy divorce in New York, where my ex-spouse took our child and made false statements against me in family court, claiming abuse and deprivation of basic rights, which were untrue. I have text messages and social media pictures proving otherwise, but I discovered this evidence... View More

answered on Mar 13, 2025
I understand how difficult and frustrating this situation must be, especially when you feel that false allegations have negatively impacted your custody arrangement. In New York, false abuse claims can significantly affect custody decisions, and it’s important to address any perjury or defamation... View More
I have been raising a child since birth who is not biologically mine and is now 7 years old. The father has never been involved, and I have the child on weekends with the mother's agreement. There are no formal legal arrangements currently. I believe the mother's house is not safe for the... View More

answered on Apr 1, 2025
While we are prohibited from dispensing legal advice given the anonymous nature of this web site and the lack of knowledge of the facts, some situations are too important for us to stay silent.
In general terms, New York as well as a majority of the states of the United States push for... View More
The police and CPS have not been able to help my family situation, and it's to the point where I will go insane if I can't get out. I have a safe place to go, and jobs lined up, and I know that in New York, sometimes 17 year olds have more freedom than in other states. My only other... View More

answered on Feb 13, 2025
The simple answer is yes The law in New York I. Parent child family Court proceedings is a person in need of Supervision or a PINS petition. The court does not have PINS jurisdiction over a 17 year old. Therefore no mechanism exists to supervise a 17 year old by his parents. Thus you can move... View More
I was overcharged $2000 in one 3-week period and have been paying for child care my daughters whole life, despite her not having received child care for years. I now have judgements I’m paying and feel I’ve been misrepresented by my lawyers. My last lawyer had me sign a document stating that my... View More

answered on Feb 7, 2025
To be found as wilfully refusing to pay child support, especially by admission, means you repeatedly and unjustifiably were not paying your full child support. You may file for changed circumstances and get the support amount reduced if you are successful, but that will only apply to future... View More
He won’t answer anything. Failed me on trial. Spoke to me once in 7 months. The kids attorney is appointed as well. She is bias and ruining my kids. She hasn’t done one thing in the best interest of the kids. My ex continues to harass and abuse me asked for an order of protection my attorney... View More

answered on Feb 7, 2025
The law provides that up to your full attorney fees could be paid by your spouse if she is sufficiently "monied" to do so in the discretion of the court. I am not sure how you got appointed counsel on a divorce, but absent your hiring one you like, you can represent yourself or raise the... View More

answered on Jan 28, 2025
You need to contact both the Judge and the court appointed attorney to explain your situation. If their is sufficient time, the Court may grant you an adjournment. However, the Court may state that it is too late to get an adjournment. A lot of this depends on the Judge and all the circumstances.
Me And my wife separated in october. I decided to stay at my parents because it was easier on our daughter. We rented from her parents and I had most of my possessions at the house still. They decided to either throw everything away and her father kept my tools and other things. Is this legal? I... View More

answered on Jan 20, 2025
I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing. Understanding your rights in this situation is essential to addressing the loss of your possessions and any potential legal remedies.
In New York, separation does not dissolve the marital relationship. While you and your wife... View More
Me And my wife separated in october. I decided to stay at my parents because it was easier on our daughter. We rented from her parents and I had most of my possessions at the house still. They decided to either throw everything away and her father kept my tools and other things. Is this legal? I... View More

answered on Jan 28, 2025
The short answer is "no", your wife and/or her parents do not have the legal right to throw away your personal property (possessions). However, in a practical sense, you need to prove to the court exactly what personal property you had and what it was worth. Most of the time, personal... View More

answered on Jan 8, 2025
You are presumably not a grandparent of the child. It is unknown who has custody of the child now. If you, as a non-parent were actually eligible for "joint custody" with a parent, that would have to be sanctionedy by a superior court, such as Family Court. It is also not known what it... View More

answered on Dec 30, 2024
This is a superb question rarely seen here on Justia. This question asks what is the effect of an order of custody and visitation, and the answer requires some explaining.
The order of custody and visitation is not an order for a parent to see his child. To the contrary, the order applies... View More
Can he accuse me if I take our kid to this trip in other state (7 hours from home)without his consent?

answered on Dec 19, 2024
Accuse you of what? I assume there is no court order forbidding this. You are returning with the children. You are doing nothing "illegal" or "unethical". You are their parent. Unless your relatives are a danger to the children I see nothing wrong legally.
What recourse do you have to ensure you still have access to your children?

answered on Sep 27, 2024
Dependent on the state. In New York the case of Tropea v Tropea requires judicial intervention The standard for relocation is the “ best interests of the child”’ She cannot remove the child on a whim. Like she wants to go to Florida because she wants to enjoy sunshine. There must be a... View More
Of my nephews since they are legally my blood relatives

answered on Aug 31, 2024
Nothing is "automatic". Do you have a court order granting you custody? Does it grant it to you, or to you and your spouse? If there is no court order then you do not have legal custody and should go to court to seek custody or guardianship, whichever is appropriate in your case. Talk... View More
My husband decided to go AWOL 10 months ago, our kids are still minors and we had signed (via notaries in NY) a mutual separation agreement where he gave me full legal custody, prior to us leaving the US. I just need to legalize that with a court decree and remove his parental rights, since I... View More

answered on Jul 23, 2024
Were you married in New York? Based upon your answer there are several jurisdictional and service issues that will likely require you to hire a lawyer to help consult with on the best state, county, and court to file in, and how to properly serve your husband either personally, or with alternative... View More
At the time of the agreement, I was the custodial parent. There has been no changes to the agreement. My daughter has moved to FL with her mother and she is threatening legal if I don't pay her (the mother) cash for college she has claimed to pay for. This was not in the agreement . My... View More

answered on Jul 21, 2024
This is not the simplest question to answer because it involves an "agreement" and an out of state issue regarding educational expenses. Rephrasing the question, does the asker have to pay education costs for his child if there is a New York agreement while the child is in Florida. The... View More
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