Rochester Child Custody

Rochester Child Custody Lawyers

Child Custody Help For Rochester Area Residents

The experienced Rochester Child Custody Lawyers at Friedman & Ranzenhofer are more than just legal advisors. For more than six decades, firm has been helping families find productive solutions to tough problems. When it comes to Child Custody agreements, the most important thing will always be your child – but because we practice within the full scope of family law, we know that you and your ex-spouse have an important and ongoing partnership. Sometimes that partnership needs outside help. That’s where we come in. When you’re separated or divorced, you agreed to terms that you’d negotiated, or maybe that a judge imposed on you. Who had physical custody, who had legal custody, how those responsibilities were shared, what the terms of “visitation” and co-parenting would be – all of that was in writing. But then one parent got a job offer, or remarried, or had a sick parent of their own to take care of. The variations are endless, but the result is the same: the carefully negotiated custody arrangement you’ve had no longer fits the realities of your lives, and needs to be modified. There are things you can count on: Your ex-spouse may not move with your child out of state without the court’s approval, and the court cares very much about your opinion of such a move. Your ex-spouse may not interfere with your custody, by denying you access to your child or suddenly changing up the time you’re supposed to pick up or drop off your child. These are always off limits, and if your ex is playing games with your custody agreement or threatening to move away with your child, we can seek relief from the court, which will take steps to enforce the existing agreements.

Rochester Child Custody Lawyers Protecting Your Rights as a Parent

Custody agreements include two parts. First, the parent who has Physical Custody of the child provides the permanent residence where the child lives, while Legal Custody is granted to the parent responsible for making the big decisions in a child’s life, things like what schools they will attend, what faith (if any) they will be raised in, and issues like consenting to surgery. These can be shared by both parents, left to one, or split between parents, depending on the circumstances of their relationship with each other and the best interests of the child. Child Custody issues are of deep interest to the State of New York when couples separate or divorce, and the state retains a vested interest in the child’s well being until they have reached 18 years of age. The agreements that couples reach are almost always well intentioned, but life changes unexpectedly. Some of the issues that bring clients to see us include:

• Job change requiring modification of visitation schedule by either parent
• Permission to move out of state with a minor child
• Enforcement actions when one parent violates a custody agreement
• Grandparents who want a greater role in their grandchild’s life
• Financial hardship necessitating changes in physical custody or support agreements

The experienced attorneys at Friedman & Ranzenhofer are keenly aware that the opposing parties in custody matters are people who will be in your life for years or decades. As co-parents, the best approach is to find a way to work together to achieve an agreement that provides a safe, supportive, and nurturing home environment that both parents can participate in. It is always our goal to present the strongest possible case for our clients, but you can count on us to avoid needless antagonisms as we work with your ex-spouse’s legal team to arrive at a productive custody solution. Attorneys for Emergency Relief Sometimes custody modifications don’t require finesse. If you believe your former spouse is:

• Neglecting or abusing your child
• Preparing to relocate to another state with your child without permission from the court
• A danger to your child’s safety and well-being

At Friedman & Ranzenhofer, our Rochester Child Custody Lawyers put families first, and in child custody matters, we always put your child first. Let us help you work through your child custody problems. Call us today for a consultation today. Let our experience work for you.

At Friedman & Ranzenhofer, our Rochester Child Custody Lawyers put families first, and in child custody matters, we always put your child first. Let us help you work through your child custody problems. Call us today for a consultation today. Let our experience work for you.