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New York Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Do I have a right to say a confrontational third party person can’t be present during supervised visitation?

I have court ordered custodial rights with my daughter, her father has a minimum of a year supervised visitation, we have joint custody. He has recently moved another woman into the house where we meet for visitation. Of the 3 times she has been present during visitation she has destroyed furniture... View More

Sandra M. Colatosti
Sandra M. Colatosti
answered on May 16, 2023

Yes. You can ask the judge to order that she not be present during the visits. Also, you might want to consider doing the visits elsewhere or have a third party supervise the visits.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: How would my boyfriend go about trying to get custody of his two daughters he has with his ex wife

She has residential custody but they share responsibility for every other aspect pertaining to his kids..before eastet their oldest daughter who is 11 came and told us how the mother whipped her with a belt and left a mark and the mother basically bragged about it later that night to both of... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on May 7, 2023

He has to file a petition to modify custody. Contact a family law attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: Is domestic violence in a home grounds to lose joint custody? Also is not having a steady job going to affect your case?

In trial for custody and relocation father not present for 6 months at a time and on and off for the past 4 years

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 2, 2023

This question relies on the premise that all judges throughout New York State will rule the same way given the same facts, and that is not the case. Differing judges will consider domestic violence to varying degrees: some will take a hard line approach, while others may not consider it at all.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Looking into how to get a divorce in Columbia county New York when I have no income.

I have been married for 10 years but we have been separated since shortly after we got married. She took off with our child and moved out of state 10 when we first got married.

Peter J. Weinman
Peter J. Weinman pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 27, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about your predicament. You should try the Columbia County Legal Aid Society: https://www.lawhelpny.org/organization/legal-aid-society-of-northeastern-new-york-al

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Can a non custodial parent ask the family Court for family counseling?

The custodial parent refuses to allow family therapy and has been very uncooperative . Visitations with my 11 yr old child have been very challenging ending in constant arguments and shortened to avoid further distress to my child and myself. Counseling would be beneficial to strengthen our... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Apr 21, 2023

You can certainly ask for it. The court must do what is in the best interest of the chilod and if fgamily counselling is best for the child then it can order that. You should speak to an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Conflict of Interest

My daughters father was appointed a public defender that works very closely to the referee assigned on our case. My daughters law guardian and my attorney as well as ACS believe our child should stay with me. However, the referee blatantly disregards the ACS report and will not grant our request to... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Apr 20, 2023

Just because the Referee and the court appointed counsel for the father know each other does not mean there is any conflict. Since court appointed counsel appear frequently of course they are familiar. You have an attorney so you need to address your concerns to your attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for New York on
Q: If both parents are found not capable of caring for a child, who can take custody? The state or relatives?
Sandra M. Colatosti
Sandra M. Colatosti
answered on Apr 20, 2023

The Dept of Social Services must investigate whether there are any suitable relatives who may take custody of the child. If there are none, the child will be placed in foster care.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Can I apply for my child passport if I have sole legal custody? And Do I need the father to fill out DS-3053?
Daniel B. Zarnowski
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Daniel B. Zarnowski pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 11, 2023

The State Department is going to require some additional documentation to establish that you have the right to sign the form without the other parent, if you cannot get the other parent to write an affidavit (signed and notarized), you will have to provide the court order and other documents... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: In NYS, would a judge allow my request to have my children dropped off by school bus for my parenting time on fridays?

My girlfriend and (soon to be ex) wife have engaged in physical altercations, she is not allowed on the property anymore for trying to run gf over and running car through her house, she is always trying to find an excuse to get out and hang around and be close to me and talk to me, she was given... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 21, 2023

A judge does not have jurisdiction over a school to enter an order to compel a bus driver to drop off a child to a parent. However, if the school has such a service, the asker is free to avail himself of that service consistent with the demands of the other parent. This certainly does not help the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and International Law for New York on
Q: Can I relocate internationally with my child if I have sole physical custody but joint legal custody?
James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 19, 2023

If you have sole physical custody of your child, you may be able to relocate internationally with your child depending on the terms of your joint legal custody agreement and the laws of your state.

In general, relocation with a child may require court approval or agreement from the other...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: My lawyer has been rude and also has not sent my divorce papers out. What can I do?

I’ve been in the process of divorcing my husband for almost 10 months now. It is uncontested, he has signed the paper he was served, got it notarized, and sent it to my lawyer over a month ago, our child support was taken care of in family court, we have no assets to split, I’m not taking him... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Mar 19, 2023

First you said your husband sigbed papers. Were these a Stipulation of Settlement? There are many papers that have to be prepared and signed by the parties. Then you said you made changes and signed. Did you do so after your husband signed those papers? If so your husband needs to approve that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: Can family court assign both parties and the child all the same public defender
Sandra M. Colatosti
Sandra M. Colatosti
answered on Mar 12, 2023

No, it would be a conflict of interest for the same lawyer to represent all of you.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: My son was born and PR and I live in Ny. never married. I am listed as father on birth cert. How do i get visitation
Lawrence Allen Weinreich
Lawrence Allen Weinreich
answered on Mar 8, 2023

Being listed on the birth certificate isn't enough. You need to have an acknowledgement of paternity to be the "legal" father or a court order. If there is an acknowledgment all you need to do is file a petition for visitation in Family Court. If there is no acknowledgement, you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: NYC - Non-Custodial parent was arrested night before appearance (he petitioned for visitation).

The child is now six and father has not seen her in a year. Why does the court not recognize this deadbeat who is sleeping on his mother's floor in her one-room apartment? He was arrested for breaking someone's nose the night before he was to appear in court. What proof is needed to... View More

Lawrence Allen Weinreich
Lawrence Allen Weinreich
answered on Mar 7, 2023

Unfortunatley, the law says it is in the child's best interests to have visitation with the non-custodial parent. However, what type of visitation and how often is left to the judge after a hearing. You should meet with an attorney to go over all of the facts of the matter. If you cannot... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: can i move to another state with my kids, if i have sole custody?

was never married.

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Mar 1, 2023

It depends. If you are depriving the other parent of parenting time then no, you can not. Relocation should not be done without court approval. If you do and the father files a writ of habeas corpus you will be forced to come back to NY and could even lose custody. See a lawyer before doing... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for New York on
Q: If the father of my kids agrees to signing his rights over fully. Would the child support continue or stop? I

I don’t need the child support. He has other kids to take care of. If he signs his rights over would the payments stop or will New York continue to take the payments?

Lawrence Allen Weinreich
Lawrence Allen Weinreich
answered on Feb 28, 2023

(This is for NY) First of all, you should know he cannot sign over his "rights". The only way for his rights to be terminated is a Neglect petition being filed by DSS or he consents to an adoption. Until his rights are terminated, he has to pay child support. The only way to stop... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: I am in an abusive marriage with two little kids and no financial means to pay a retainer, I need help and advice, thank

I need a protective order and divorce help please

Carmen M. Rodriguez
Carmen M. Rodriguez
answered on Feb 26, 2023

If you are in immediate danger call 911

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233

Safe Horizon contact is 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

There is also Freedom House (domestic violence shelter for victims of domestic violence and their families)

212-400-6470...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for New York on
Q: How do I get full custody of my son and child support from my ex-boyfriend?

My ex-boyfriend has an alcohol issue. He also is living in a hotel where he is surrounded by drugs and alcohol. The last time I talked to him he did not have a job. I am concerned that he will want to take our son to this unsafe environment.

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Feb 6, 2023

You need to file petitions in the Family Court. Child Support and Custody are two different matters and, even though they are in the same courthouse they are handled separetly. You need to file a separate petition for each.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: My ex has unsupervised visitation at a specific public place (mall) what happens if my family is at the same place?

My ex was awarded unsupervised visitation, but at a public place, which is a mall. Am I in violation of the order if my family members are at the same mall during the visit. Not in a supervisory capacity but simply present just in case? Being that it's a public place I'm unsure if this... View More

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Feb 1, 2023

If they just happen to be there and do not interfere with the visitation there should be no problem. If they interfere in any way that could be a problem.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: Hi, I hired a lawyer in my family court child custody case and now the judge says I am eligible for a court assigned

my attorney says he can't represent me anymore because the court pays little.

Can I pay the difference (credit card debt) if I want to keep her as my attorney

Lawrence Allen Weinreich
Lawrence Allen Weinreich
answered on Jan 31, 2023

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Assigned lawyers are not allowed to accept money from the client. Aside from that, based upon what you have said, your current lawyer is not on the panel for assigned lawyers. You will have to decide between paying your current lawyer the full hourly rate or... View More

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