Manhattan Joint Custody

If you and your spouse (or ex-spouse) are in the process of settling a Child Custody arrangement and are considering Joint Custody of your child or children, there may seem to be endless details to work through. A Manhattan Joint Custody Lawyer knows that, for you both to successfully co-parent your child, the child’s best interests must be considered, along with each parents’ motivation for attaining Joint Custody and their capacity for the effort it entails. If you believe you’ve reached some initial decisions around a potential Joint Custody agreement, or it’s a contested matter and you are fighting to attain Joint Custody a Manhattan Family Lawyer or Manhattan Divorce Lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC can help you develop your plan effectively as your divorce case or Family Custody case progresses—especially as it may impact issues of Child Support. We have conveniently located offices throughout the city of New York including Manhattan and outside it, including in Nassau County and Westchester County.

When you talk to a Manhattan Joint Custody Lawyer, you will find out that even if both parents agree to a Joint Custody plan, the court’s approval of that arrangement—and of any subsequent modifications to it —will depend on whether the situation is in the best interests of your child. Additionally, should either party seek to modify the custody agreement, it can be difficult to meet the burden of proving to the Court that the requested change is necessary and appropriate. A Manhattan Family Lawyer in our offices throughout New York City and Long Island will therefore advise you that your proposed joint custody arrangement might be the arrangement that stays in place for a long time.

A Manhattan Joint Custody Lawyer understands and will describe to you the factors involved in first considering a Joint Custody agreement:

• Is the desire to continue active parenting sincere on the part of both parents?
• Do both of the parents show the desire and have the ability to communicate and cooperate in the effort to preserve a positive relationship with their child?
• Is one of the parents attempting to use a Joint Custody request as a means of getting back at the other, or using the child as a weapon against that other parent?
• Is the request for Joint Custody an attempt by a parent to minimize or even avoid their Child Support payments?

As you work toward an initial Joint Custody agreement—and work to maintain it—it is key to define how the parents’ decisions will be made, and how any conflicts will get resolved. For example, what defines a major decision about your child’s life? When is a shared or joint decision necessary, and when is it not? To help smooth the process, your Manhattan Family Lawyer will tell you that there are key terms that should be included in your Custody agreement, including “Physical Custody,” “Daily Responsibilities,” and “Primary Residence.” Whether you live in Brooklyn or the Bronx or anywhere else in New York State we can help you reach a suitable shared arrangement for the day-to-day managing of your child's life, from any restrictions there might be on where family members live and work, to matters of travel, transportation, and vacation.

From Joint Custody and other Child Custody matters, to Family Law matters ranging from Fathers Rights and Grandparents Rights or Guardianship a Manhattan Joint Custody Lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC can help you through this potentially troubling time. We can help negotiate satisfactory resolution of your Divorce case, your Spousal Support case, and all matters of Visitation issues for your family. Call now by dialing 800.696.9529, then arrange for your free initial case evaluation in our offices in New York City—whether in Queens or Staten Island—or beyond the city’s outer boroughs.