Staten Island Relocation

Sometimes the circumstances in our lives change, and we find it necessary to move. This may be more complicated if you are a divorced or unmarried parent. Relocating can change the nature of any existing Child Custody document you may already have, and your relocation may have to be approved by the court. A Staten Island Relocation Lawyer will explain to you that there are various considerations that need to be taken into account, most importantly, the welfare of your children. The Family Court or the Divorce Court will always put the needs of your children first. Because these matters can be not only difficult, but full of legal issues, it is important to contact a Staten Island Relocation Lawyer from our office as soon as you can. Whether you live in Staten Island or somewhere else within New York City (including Manhattan) or Long Island, we have an office available to provide you with guidance and a free case evaluation.

During your meeting, your Staten Island Family Lawyer will discuss some of the questions and concerns commonly addressed by the court, such as:

Is the Child Thriving in their Current Environment? The court will look to determine the current health of the child, and will consider if relocating will negatively affect them.

Assess the Child’s attitude towards the Parents: Is the child emotionally attached to each parent and how will this potentially change?

Custody Arrangements: What is the current arrangement between the parents? How will this change if one relocates? Will the non-custodial parent still be able to visit regularly?

Emotional Attitude of the Parents: Are the parents interested in doing what is best for the child or is their primary motivation to aggravate each other?

What are the Drawbacks? What negative circumstances current exists that could only be made worse if one parent relocates? What new unforeseen problems could potentially arise?

Child’s Personal Relationships with Others: What are the child’s current relationships with friends and family in the area and will those be impacted?

Money: Will the relocation help the moving party financially, or hurt them?

Job Prospects/Financial Outlook: Will relocating help the future financial picture?

Are there any outstanding Medical/Health Concerns? Does the child have any medical (physical/mental) health concerns that will improve or decline as the result of a move?

Thus far, the New York court has not provided a substantive set of rules/guidelines to govern this area of law. Your Staten Island Relocation Lawyer can tell you, however, that the Family Court will always weigh the positives and negatives as they pertain to your child/children. If the court is not comfortable that the child is going to be cared for appropriately, moreover a custody change could be in order. They could order specific measures be taken in terms of the child’s education and mental health, and in some extenuating circumstances a guardianship hearing could be requested to make sure someone is caring for the child’s needs. This is why it is so important to consult with a Staten Island Relocation Lawyer. There is a lot at stake, and you need to ensure that your rights and the rights of your child are well represented.

A Staten Island Lawyer from the offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC will guide you through this process. They will ensure that your child interests are well represented to the Family Court. We handle all varieties of Family Law matters, and can answer your questions dealing with an Order of protection, Child Custody (including Joint Custody), Divorce, child Support, Spousal support or any type of Visitation dispute you may have. Whether you live in Queens, Staten Island or Nassau County, there is an office near you. When you phone us, we will be able to offer you a free case evaluation and support in this stressful time. We can be reached at 800.696.9529.