A lot of the people who come to see me as a dedicated Rochester Child Custody Lawyer, and ask questions about the difference between the concepts of legal custody and residential custody. Simply put, legal custody is concerned with who is responsible for making those important legal decisions that direct the child’s life such as where the […]
Category Archives: Child Custody
A lot of people come into see me as an experienced Rochester Child Custody Attorney, asking whether or not they can maintain a shared residency arrangement. I explain to that shared residency means there’s a fairly equal sharing in terms of where the children will live. For example, in one common shared residence arrangement, the children live […]
Occasionally, a mom or dad comes to see me as a Rochester Child Custody Attorney, and says the other parent is not letting them visit with the child. In those circumstances, one thing that parent must do immediately is make application to the court. Just as a point of guidance, this must be done as soon as […]
The judge in your Rochester divorce or family court matter will be focusing on your child’s best interests in your custody dispute. To this end, the judge will consider factors like the relative bond each parent has with the child and which parent has been the primary caregiver. Each parent’s ability to promote a positive […]
When judges are forced to decide custody in Rochester because the parents can’t, their job is rarely simple. The law and common sense both dictate that the judge look at the totality of factors that affect the child’s life, making a determination based on the best interests of the child. For many stay-at-home parents, this […]
In cases where parents can’t agree on a custody plan in Rochester, the judge will order a trial to determine legal and physical custody. An attorney will be appointed for your children, as will an expert like a social worker or therapist, who will interview the parties and may also talk to your children’s teachers, […]
Children who are represented by a Law Guardian during a custody matter between their parents in Rochester essentially have a neutral advocate for their interests. While the Law Guardian may take the position that one parent will provide a more effective home environment, their opinion is just one factor that the judge will take into […]
No, unless you are under a specialized custody agreement, you definitely don’t have to plan your visitation time to the second and give your ex a roadmap of your whereabouts. For the most part, ensuring that your ex can contact you via cell phone is adequate. If you’re stepping into a movie, for instance, and […]
It’s certainly possible that you can get custody of your children even if you had a minor scrape with the law in Rochester when you were young. How much you’ll need to defend yourself along these lines has a lot to do with whether your spouse chooses to attack on these grounds, but if that’s […]
If you have concerns about your child’s safety, you have an obligation to pursue relief. First, if you believe your child is contemplating a suicide attempt right now, call 911. Teenagers can spiral out of control very quickly, and a teen with suicidal ideation or mental illness may require hospitalization and medication to get back […]