Child Custody

Having a skilled child custody attorney can make a world of difference in the outcome of your case, and well being of your child. The New York and New Jersey custody lawyers at Rapaport Law Firm have represented clients in custody, visitation, and related matters since 1995. We provide our clients with a thorough understanding of the strategies and options for achieving their goals. Each year, the NY and NJ Family Law Attorneys at Rapaport Law Firm represent parents in New York Supreme Court, New York Family Court, and NJ Superior Court, in proceedings involving custody and visitation.

Marc Rapaport has handled custody trials and appeals in New York and New Jersey since 1995.

CHILD CUSTODY: THE BEST INTERESTS STANDARDS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK'S BEST INTEREST FACTORS FOR CUSTODY CASES:

When a child custody case is filed in Family Court or Supreme Court, the judge will try to resolve the parties' dispute based on the best interest of the subject child(ren) and choose the environment that offers the most stability. Some factors courts will take into consideration in a child custody case are:

The child's age, sex, and mental and physical health
The parent's mental and physical health
The parent's lifestyle
Any history of child abuse
The emotional bond between the parent and child
The parent's ability to provide the child with food, shelter, clothing, and medical care
The child's regular routine
The quality of the child's education
The child's preference, if the child is above a certain age (this is usually around age 12)
The ability and willingness of the parent to encourage communication and contact between the child and the other parent

NEW JERSEY'S BEST INTERESTS STANDARD FOR CUSTODY CASES

The principle guiding courts in custody determinations is that the best interests of the children is served. The standard has been described as one that protects the safety, happiness, physical, mental and moral welfare of the child. M.P. v. S.P., 169 N.J. Super. 425 (App. Div. 1979). N.J.S.A. § 9:2-4 mandates that the courts consider the following factors: 9:2-4.

The parents' ability to agree, communicate and cooperate in matters relating to the child;
The parents' willingness to accept custody and any history of unwillingness to allow visitation not based on substantiated abuse;
The interactions and relationship of the child with its parents and siblings;
The history of domestic violence, if any;
The safety of the child and the safety of either parent from physical abuse by the other parent;
The preference of the child when and capacity to reason so as to form an intelligent decisions.

The NY and NJ custody lawyers at Rapaport Law Firm understand that there is no issue to you that is more important than your bond with your child. We work together with psychological experts to pursue an aggressive strategy designed to achieve our clients' goals. If you are facing a matter involving custody, call us today: (212) 382-1600

RELATED INFORMATION AND ARTICLES

CHILD CUSTODY: AGGRESSIVE, EXPERIENCED LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN NY AND NJ CUSTODY AND VISITATION MATTERS SINCE 1995