Compassionate Child Custody Attorney Protecting Your Family’s Future
When it comes to divorce, the most difficult decisions are often those that revolve around your child. Who will they live with? How will you share parenting time? If you are a parent in Ithaca grappling with these questions, you need a sympathetic child custody attorney to help you navigate the complexities of New York’s family law.
Whether you are beginning the custody process or seeking to modify an existing child custody agreement, having an experienced child custody attorney by your side is crucial for protecting your child’s best interests. I am Kelly A. Damm, a seasoned child custody attorney with over 20 years of experience helping families in Ithaca and Tompkins County. With my extensive experience as a child custody attorney, I believe in empowering my clients through knowledge. That is why, as a divorce and child custody attorney, I take time to carefully explain your options and how the law impacts your case.
How Is Child Custody Determined In New York?
In New York, the guiding principle in all child custody and visitation decisions is the best interests of the child. As your child custody attorney at Kelly A. Damm Attorney at Law, my role is to help you understand how this principle applies to your unique situation.
When determining the child’s best interests, courts consider various factors, including:
- Your ability to care for your child
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Your willingness to foster a relationship between your child and your co-parent
- Your child’s preference
Throughout my career as a dedicated child custody attorney, I have always believed that every parent deserves tried and tested legal representation when it comes to life-altering matters such as divorce and child custody. Whether you are fighting for sole or joint custody, I am here to serve as your fierce child custody attorney, helping you protect your rights and your child’s best interests.
Determining The Right Type Of Child Custody
Many parents often think of child custody as a singular issue that has to be resolved in court, but the reality is that child custody can actually be divided into two separate categories. They are as follows:
- Physical custody: This determines where the child lives, which home they are in and which parent has physical control over them. The parent with physical custody is responsible for things like giving them a safe and healthy living situation, transporting them to school and more.
- Legal custody: This establishes who can make key decisions on the child’s behalf. These decisions could include what type of health care the child should receive, what religion they’ll be a part of and what school they will attend, to name a few.
If a parent has custody of their child after the divorce, it’s important for them to know if they have custody rights in both areas or just one. These rights do not have to be divided up in exactly the same fashion. For instance, a parent could have physical custody and live with the child at predetermined times, but the other parent may be the one who gets to make important decisions.
Along these lines, both legal and physical custody can be categorized into two levels of responsibility:
- Full custody: This means that one parent has primary custody on their own.
- Joint custody: This means that both parents share custody rights.
When parents share physical custody rights, the child moves from one home to the other. When they share legal custody rights, it means they have to work together to make decisions, and neither parent can make them alone.
For instance, the court may determine that both parents have joint physical custody because it helps them share the responsibility of raising the child and maintains the relationship. Other times, the court may decide that only one parent will have full legal custody and it is this parent who will make major decisions on the child’s behalf.
What Should Be Included In A Parenting Plan?
A well-designed parenting plan should include the basics, such as custody schedules and visitation arrangements as well as schedules for holidays and vacations. It should also contain decision-making protocols, communication methods and provisions for modifying the plan as your child’s needs change. Creating a parenting plan that suits your family’s unique needs requires a skilled child custody attorney who can ensure your voice is heard during negotiations. As your child custody attorney, I can help you craft a practical plan that prioritizes your child’s well-being while balancing the needs of both parents.
Rely On A Trusted Child Custody Attorney In Ithaca
In divorce cases, disputes involving children are often the most emotionally challenging. With me as your child custody attorney, you have a dedicated guide through this complex process. I will meticulously and tirelessly explain the nuances of your case, advocate for your rights and help you secure an outcome that revolves around your child’s welfare. Do not face this challenging time alone. Call my office at 607-277-8601 or fill out my online form today to schedule a consultation with me.