Child Custody & Visitation

It can be very difficult for parents to mutually agree on a custody arrangement, especially during a contested divorce proceeding. If you are having difficulty reaching a custody agreement with your child’s mother, it’s in your best interest to retain the services of an experienced and effective Long Island child custody attorney. A seasoned attorney can fight on behalf of your best interest, and make sure your parental rights are not overlooked or dismissed in court.

Child custody determines which parent has legal guardianship over a child until he or she turns 18 years old. Under New York family law, there are two types of child custody: physical custody and legal custody.

Legal Custody

The parent with legal custody has the authority to make all legal decisions regarding the child. These types of decisions include education, healthcare, religion, and general well-being.  The parents of a child can be awarded joint legal custody, in which both the mother and the father have equal authority to make legal decisions. When only one parent as the authority to make legal decisions on behalf of the child it is referred to as sole legal custody.

Physical Custody

Physical custody refers to which parent the child actually resides with. Physical custody can be arranged in several different ways. When the child lives with both parents it is referred to as joint physical custody.  When the child resides with only one parent, it is referred to as sole physical custody.

Visitation Rights

If you do not have physical custody of your child, you can be granted visitation rights. As a father, you have the right to spend time with your child, even if you were not granted physical custody. At Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C., we can help ensure that the visitation arrangement agreed upon is upheld, and that your rights as a father have not been violated. 

Determining Child Custody

When determining which parent will receive custody of a child, the court will take into consideration many different factors. The primary objective of the court is to grant custody of the child to the parent that will serve the child’s overall best interest. The judge will also consider a number of other important factors, such as:

• Each parent’s lifestyle
• Each parent’s health
• Each parent’s financial security  
• Each parent’s ability to provide for the child
• The child’s current lifestyle
• The child’s age
• The child’s preference (if above a certain age)
• The current relationship between the child and each parent

Contact our Long Island Child Custody Lawyers

At Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C., we understand that determining child custody can be a stressful, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting process. We are committed to protecting your rights, and ensuring that your relationship with your children is not compromised by an unfair custody arrangement.

If you require the services of an experienced and aggressive Long Island child custody attorney, then please contact Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C., at (516) 773-8300 for a complimentary consultation.

Contact Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C.

Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C. is proud to provide legal representation for clients in the New York Metropolitan area, including:  Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, New York City, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland Counties and New Jersey.