Long Island Child Custody & Visitation Lawyers
During a divorce, one of the most difficult issues to resolve is child custody and/or visitation. This holds true even when the parents of a child are not married, but are breaking up nonetheless and need to reach a custody arrangement. Both parents have strong opinions over how the custody of their children should be divided, or not divided in some cases, and will not back down until they get what they want. Determining visitation may be equally as difficult, as it can be hard to work around parents' work schedules and the child or children's particular needs.
If you are seeking child custody or visitation rights, you need to retain the services of an experienced attorney who can assert your rights and make sure your needs and concerns are not overlooked or ignored. A skilled and well-practiced Long Island child custody attorney at Samuelson Hause & Samuelson can represent you throughout the legal process, making sure your wishes are known to the judge and reinforcing your parental rights.
How are Child Custody and Visitation Determined?
When parents can agree on a child custody arrangement, the courts will typically uphold their decision, as long as it's in the best interest of the child. When parents cannot mutually agree on an arrangement, the courts will intervene and come up with an arrangement based on the child's best interest. There are certain factors judges take into consideration when determining child custody and/or visitation. Some of these factors include:
- Each parent's physical and mental health
- Each parent's ability to provide for the child, i.e. food, shelter, clothing, medical care
- Each parent's ability to provide a stable environment
- Each parent's lifestyle
- Each parent's income and financial stability
- If the parents encourage the child to have a relationship with the other parent
- If either parent has a history of alcoholism, drug abuse, or domestic violence
- The child's lifestyle and routine
- The child's bond and/or relationship with each parent
- If siblings would be separated
- The child's preference (if above a certain age, usually 12)
Contact a Long Island Child Custody Attorney Today
Whether your objective is to obtain physical custody, legal custody, joint custody, sole custody, or simply visitation rights, an experienced Long Island child custody attorney at Samuelson Hause & Samuelson can provide you with the resources, attention, and dedicated representation needed to help you achieve your goals.
Contact Samuelson Hause & Samuelson to speak with a dedicated Long Island child custody lawyer who can help you reach a child custody and visitation arrangement that serves the best interest of your family and preserves the relationships you have with your children.