Modification of a Custody Order: Part 4 – Best Interests Analysis and Totality of Circumstances

  Upon finding a change of circumstances a judge is required to determine what custodial arrangement would promote the best interests of the child.  This may or may not require a change of custody or a change to the parenting schedule. The primary focus of a custody determination is ascertaining what is in the best interests [Read More]

By |2017-04-06T13:37:28-04:00April 6th, 2017|Custody, Divorce|

Modification of a Custody Order: Part 3 – The Weight to be given to the Existing Order

We continue our discussion of the modification of a custody order by examining the weigh a judge will place on the existing custody order. An existing custody arrangement is but one factor to be considered by a court when considering a modification of a custody order.  A custody order that is the product of a [Read More]

By |2017-03-01T04:32:52-05:00March 1st, 2017|Agreements, Custody, Divorce|

Modification of a Custody Order: Part 2 – Change of Circumstances

Today we begin our exploration of the modification of a custody order.  The primary consideration in any custody matter is the best interest of the child.  With that in mind, a court will order the modification of a custody order only upon a showing of sufficient change in circumstances reflecting a real need for modification [Read More]

By |2017-02-28T13:49:07-05:00February 28th, 2017|Agreements, Custody, Divorce|

Marital Fault in Equitable Distribution

Marital fault is who is responsible for the failure of the marriage.  Generally, it is not a factor in equitable distribution in contemporary New York practice.  Many a scorned or abandoned spouse believes that they deserved more because their spouse has left them or been unfaithful or because the other party was lazy.  The fact [Read More]

By |2017-01-30T10:54:56-05:00January 30th, 2017|Divorce, Property|

Restrictions or Conditions on Parenting Time

A court may impose reasonable restrictions on a parent’s parenting time.  These may include limitations on travel or travel outside the state.  These may include requiring a parent to refrain from consuming alcohol during their parenting time or for a period before the beginning of their parenting time.  These may include requiring a parent to [Read More]

By |2016-06-07T09:49:27-04:00June 7th, 2016|Agreements, Custody, Divorce|

Overnight Parenting Time

In some cases a non-custodial parent will be limited to daytime parenting time only and will not be given overnight parenting time with a child. This is the exception and not the rule. There are a couple of fairly common situations where it is appropriate to deny a non-custodial parent overnight parenting time. First is [Read More]

By |2016-05-17T07:15:12-04:00May 17th, 2016|Agreements, Custody, Divorce|

Parenting Schedules for Children

There is no fixed rule as to what is or is not an appropriate parenting schedule and no schedule is perfect.  Nevertheless, there are some schedules that are more common than others because they fit the reality of everyday life better than others. The most common element in parenting schedules is alternating weekends.  Alternating weekends [Read More]

By |2016-05-16T05:26:12-04:00May 16th, 2016|Agreements, Custody, Divorce|

Visitation or Parenting Time by A Non-Custodial Parent

Visitation refers to the time that the non-custodial parent has with their child.  More accurately, this should be called parenting time, since this is the non-custodial parent's time to parent their child. In a 2006 report from the Unified Court System it was recommended that the term “parenting time” be used instead of “visitation.”  The [Read More]

By |2016-04-05T08:32:19-04:00April 5th, 2016|Agreements, Custody, Divorce|
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