Voted Best Long Island Divorce Lawyer

Simonetti & Associates, Nassau County Divorce Lawyer

Long Island Visitation Lawyer Explain Child Custody Laws in New York

 

Protecting your right to a meaningful relationship with your children

 

Just like the rest of New York state, parents on Long Island who do not have physical custody of a child are usually entitled to frequent visitation. If your ex-spouse has obstructed or denied this or if you reasonably believe that visitation with the noncustodial parent is harmful to your children, Simonetti & Associates can help. We use every legal tool available to protect your right to have a meaningful relationship with your children.

 

How does the court determine visitation?

 

In a New York child custody dispute, visitation is the default position that courts use when it determines that one parent should get sole custody. The court presumes that frequent, meaningful contact with the noncustodial parent is in the best interest of the child. Despite this, the custodial parent can use evidence to contradict this presumption. The judge may also consider the report of a forensic evaluator, usually a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker chosen by the court. The evaluator observes the family and uses a battery of psychological tests to determine and support their findings. The court can choose to restrict or prevent visits if it believes that extreme conditions such as reasonable suspicion of potential harm to the child are happening.

 

What types of visitation are available to noncustodial parents in New York?

 

When choosing the type of visitation as well as how much access the noncustodial parent should receive, the courts will always consider what is in the best interests of the children. This will result in the type of visitation such as:

 

  • Unsupervised Visitation: The parent can be with their child without having a third party present.
  • Supervised Visitation: Another adult such as a court-appointed supervisor must be present during the visit. In some cases, the court allows the noncustodial parent to choose the person who supervises the visit.
  • Therapeutic Supervised Visitation : A mental health professional acts as the visitation supervisor and helps to improve parenting skills.
  • Neutral place of exchange: If the parents share a history of explosive behavior that may include domestic violence, the court may order them to exchange the child in a neutral place.
  • Monitored exchange: A third party must be present when the child goes from one parent to the other to make sure the parents maintain a safe and calm demeanor.

 

Can a parent modify court-ordered visitation?

 

Either parent can try to alter a visitation order by asking the court to add or remove restrictions. A parent with a troubled history who has taken serious steps toward rehabilitating their behavior may feel justified in approaching the court to adjust visitation terms. Another likely scenario is when parents agree to new terms. At this point, they can submit a signed modification agreement for the court’s approval. Another common issue is the effectiveness of an existing visitation order when either parent feels the other is failing to live up to the original terms.

 

If either parent re-marries, visitation rights may need to be re-examined by the courts as the best interest of the child may have changed during that time. Ideally, a remarriage should not negatively affect the child. However, some circumstances including a new step-parent’s history of drug use, or violent behavior might be a cause for concern.

 

Whether you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, our divorce attorneys can assist with visitation disputes to best represent your rights as a parent and protect the welfare of your child.

 

What about Grandparents Rights?

In New York State, Grandparent Visitation Right issues exist in circumstances where it is in the child’s best interest to continue visitation. In cases when there is an existing strong relationship between the grandchild and the grandparent is being disrupted or evidence that a relationship will help foster the growth of the child, it is important for grandparents to exercise their legal rights.

 

In cases where a child lives out of New York state or there is a history of the grandparent exhibiting negative behavior such as abuse of drugs or alcohol, it is unlikely that court-ordered visitation will be granted. It is important to keep this in mind when considering taking your visitation case to court.

 

Do Siblings have rights to Visitation?

 

Although not as common, custody arrangements will sometimes separate siblings based on circumstantial evidence or child preference. When considering what will be in the best interest of your child, it is crucial to take in consideration the bond they have with their sibling.

Siblings have a right to maintain the current relationships they have, especially in cases where that familial bond will be in the betterment of both siblings.

Call our Long Island visitation lawyers for a complimentary case evaluation

With more than 35 years of experience, Simonetti & Associates will work to solve your custody and visitation problems as quickly and inexpensively as possible. We offer flexible hours at our offices in our Syosset and Water Mill locations, and will even return your calls after business hours. For your free initial consultation, call 877-385-2560 or contact us online.

Request A Free Consultation

Fill out the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible. Not a fan of filling out forms? We understand, call us at 1-877-385-2560 and we can set up your consultation over the phone.

    Name (required)*

    Email (required)*

    Phone(required)*

    City

    How did you locate our site?

    How would you like to be contacted?

    Subject

    Reason you would like to be contacted*

    I agree to the terms in the disclaimer.*
    Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.