One of the most difficult parts of any divorce that involves determining a child custody agreement. Often, before getting to the agreement, there is a dispute simply because neither parent wants to give up parenting time with their child. It can be devastating for a parent to face the reality of spending significantly less time with their child. Custody has the biggest impact on the entire family.
When parents can’t make a custody decision on their own, the court may have to step in and make this decision on their behalf. Some of the many factors that a judge hearing the child custody case will consider include the following:
- The bond between the child and each parent
- The age and health of the child
- The age and health of the parent
- The ability of each parent to provide for the child
- Whether a parent has a history of substance abuse, criminal activity, or domestic violence
Of course, this is not an easy decision for the court to make. The judge is always going to rule on what they believe is in the best interests of the child. Typically, the court will try to allow parents to share custody. However, if they determine that one parent is “unfit,” the court may award sole custody to the other parent.
If you have questions about custody in New York, contact us today.
Peter V. Mandi, Esq. is an experienced divorce and family law attorney located in Bohemia, New York. If you require strong and dedicated legal representation in Long Island, New York, contact Peter V. Mandi & Associates, Inc. today for a free consultation.
