Manhattan Abuse & Neglect

It is unfortunate that an allegation of child abuse and neglect often arises in the context of a Divorce or Child Custody case. Such allegations might be a pure fabrication, a tool for one parent to use against the other to gain a more favorable judgment from the court. Whether true or false, however, any Manhattan Abuse and Neglect Lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC will understand that an accusation of Abuse and Neglect can tear a family apart. Talk to a skilled Manhattan Family Lawyer or a Manhattan Divorce Lawyer on our staff today if you face a charge of Abuse and Neglect or if you are the victim of domestic violence. From our offices throughout the NY area, from Manhattan to Suffolk County, we will provide you guidance and a free consultation to help you through this upsetting Family Law matter.

Child abuse and neglect cases can involve an allegation of any of the following:

• Physical abuse (excessive corporal punishment)
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Malnutrition

Moreover, child abuse can give rise to criminal charges being filed against the offender, such as endangering the welfare of a child or even assault. If this occurs you may find yourself needing a Manhattan Criminal Lawyer in addition to a Family Attorney.

The accusation of any of these types of abuse of course will naturally cause serious damage to the relationship between the accused parent and the child. These accusations also bring serious legal consequences for a family: A Family Court judge, whether in New York City or in Westchester County, will hesitate to award custody or to grant unsupervised visitation to the parent implicated by the abuse case. You need a Manhattan Abuse and Neglect Lawyer who has knowledge of the system that will help preserve your parental rights. And you can find this kind of help in one of our offices near you, whether you’re in Queens or elsewhere in the NYC metro area.

If you think your child is the victim of abuse or neglect, it’s critical that you act immediately, for your own protection and for your child’s. In fact, if you’re a mother who is the victim of domestic violence, you might face a charge of neglect if you continue to allow the abuse to occur in front of your child. A Manhattan Abuse and Neglect Lawyer from our office can assist you and your family with filing of a petition for an Order of Protection, in New York City or in its suburbs, including Nassau County. And we know that in a case of actual abuse and/or neglect, options for keeping the case out of the courts may exist, allowing any Manhattan Family Lawyer in our office to work toward keeping your family together, regardless if you live in Manhattan or in Brooklyn or beyond.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect for NYC and if they contact you about your child, it’s imperative that you speak to an experienced Manhattan Abuse and Neglect Lawyer right away. (If you live on Long Island or in Westchester County, Child Protective Services, CPS, is the investigative government agency.) This is important, because whether you’re innocent or guilty of alleged abuse, your statements might easily be misunderstood or misconstrued when you talk to ACS. At Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC, we can help you maintain a meaningful relationship with your child and defend your rights. Call us today by phoning 800.696.9529 as soon as you can. We’ll arrange to meet you wherever it’s convenient, from the Manhattan to Staten Island.