New York Child Custody Lawyers

Frequently Asked Questions

If I want custody of my child, what can I do?
If a parent wants custody of his/her child, he/she should immediately obtain the advice and legal guidance of a New York child custody attorney. A lawyer can help you take the legal steps necessary to help insure that your parental rights are not violated and that you achieve a desirable outcome for your case.

Is custody only awarded to one parent?
Not necessarily. Custody may be awarded to both parents if both parents qualify; this is called "joint custody." Joint custody can be joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or both. A qualified New York child custody lawyer can explain to you how joint custody can be obtained.

How much child support will I get paid or will I have to pay?
Each state has a specific guideline. In New York, child support is based upon the needs of the child and both parents’ income levels. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Brian D. Perskin can help assist you with getting child support in New York. Contact us today to get started.

What is supervised visitation?
Supervised visitation is typically ordered by a judge in a child custody case when a parent is determined to be unfit. The parent may have psychological issues, drug or alcohol problems, a history of abuse or some sort of other issue that may put the child at risk. During supervised visitation, the court will appoint a case worker or other individual to be present at all times during that parent's visit with the child. Supervised visits can be changed to unsupervised visits when the court agrees that the parent is rehabilitated and is no longer a possible danger to the child.

I lost my job and have not been paying child support. Can my ex keep me from seeing my child?
No. But your ex-spouse can take you to court to ask the judge to enforce the child support arrangement. You may face jail time, fines, community service, license suspension and probation in conjunction with these charges. You may also have to pay any missed child support (known as "arrears") immediately.

My child was taken out of state by the non-custodial parent without my permission. What can I do?
If your child was taken out of state without your prior permission and you are the custodial parent, you should contact an attorney immediately. You may be able to have the other parent charged with kidnapping, depending on the circumstances. In addition, you may have your child custody case looked at again in court by a family law judge in an attempt to change the custody agreement so that supervised visitation is ordered to prevent any further episodes from occurring in the future.

Who can adopt?
Anyone who meets the financial and emotional needs recognized by the courts may be able to adopt a child. There are many children within our own country and in other countries who are in need of a home. If you feel that you can provide a loving home to a child in need, please contact the Law Offices of Brian D. Perskin today to take the steps needed to find out about adoption and becoming a parent.

The New York child custody lawyers at the Law Offices of Brian D. Perskin help provide legal resources and representation to clients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens, New York. Contact us today for a free case consultation.

Have questions about custody, support, visitation or adoption? Contact us today!