5 Areas of Family Law that Deal with Children

Having a family is the most wonderful and fulfilling part of an individual’s life. However, families sometimes break up, and when they do, it usually involves the courts and can the process can be contentious. Children are the glue that hold families together. When those families break up into smaller units, the children are the ones who continue to bring joy those separate units. In the sections that follow, some family law topics that relate specifically to children will be expounded.

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1. Child Support

Child Support A fairly common occurrence when both parents share joint custody is to wonder if they have to pay child support if they have joint custody. Child support refers to the financial obligation of the noncustodial parent towards raising a child. This comes in the form of regular payments to the custodial parent. New York state has a law called the Child Support Standards Act, which sets forth a specific formula for calculating the base child support obligation. However, this base amount is subject to adjustment, depending on specific facts of the case.

2. Child Custody

Child CustodyWhen couples divorce, their cohabitation ends and they make separate and mutually exclusive living arrangements. This poses considerable challenges to their roles as parents and may also impose strain on their task of raising their child. Even though they may both have a say in how the child should be raised, the fact remains that the child can only live with one parent at a time. This is usually hardest on the child(ren) concerned. In other situations, only one parent may be legally permitted to make important decisions about the child even though the child will spend a large amount of time living with each parent. New York State courts always work to put the child’s interests first in all custody decisions.

We here at Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino P.C. have considerable experience at helping our clients through different matters pertaining to child custody. From helping you understand how judges determine child custody and what level of access it gives you, the difference between joint and sole custody, to child custody for unmarried parents, we will ensure that your estrangement from your ex does not get in the way of the beautiful relationship you share with your child(ren).

3. Visitation Rights

Visitation RightsThere are myriad factors that affect parenting time and access, factors that we are experienced at navigating to help you acquire the parenting schedule you want. In certain situations, the court may grant one parent sole physical custody of a child following a divorce. Except in cases of domestic violence or other extreme circumstances, the court also grants visitation rights to the noncustodial parent. Parents decide the visitation schedule. However, in situations where they are unable to do so or where it is not possible, the court formulates the visitation schedule based on what it deems to be in the best interest of the child.

4. Paternity Issues

Paternity IssuesChildren need the love and care of both parents. And as a result, they deserve to know who their fathers are. Thus, establishing paternity in New York is important: it upholds family values. It also provides for a variety of rights and responsibilities for the legal father, such as child support, visitation rights, the right to make certain decisions about the child’s life and the right to notification about things like medical events. Unfortunately, determining paternity is not as simple as taking a DNA test, as there are other factors a court must consider before establishing paternity. At Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino, we work diligently to ensure your child(ren) gets the best the love of both his/her parents.

5. Adoption

AdoptionNew York state provides for two ways in which a family may adopt: private placement or agency adoption. Private placement occurs between the birth and adoptive family and does not require government involvement except for court approvals. In an agency adoption, a private or social services agency will facilitate and oversee the adoption process. Regardless of the method, the adopting parents, biological parents and any agency involved must observe certain steps. These include seeking certification from the court, terminating the parental rights of the birth parents and gaining final court approval.

If you or a loved one is concerned about how a divorce or separation will affect your children, or if you are planning on adopting, please give our offices a call so we can guide you through the process. After all, it is all about the children.

This educational blog was brought to you by Donna Haslinger, an experienced Family Law Attorney in Buffalo, NY.

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4 thoughts on “5 Areas of Family Law that Deal with Children

  1. Daniel says:

    In the part you mentioned about child support, you pointed out that it’s the financial obligation the noncustodial parent has to support the child. I’m a father of three and when I see how sweet but helpless my little ones are I can help but think it’s so important that children are taken care of when things like separation, or any other legal issue, happen. I think anyone that foresees something like this would be smart to consider hiring someone that specializes in family law because they’d be equipped to protect their children’s rights.

  2. Deb Pearl says:

    Thank you for listing all the areas that family law deals with children. My friend has been wondering if they should find a family lawyer about child support. I’m glad that the court has specific formulas and acts that help calculate child support. I will have to let my friend know.

  3. Hazel Owens says:

    That’s good to know that family law deals with adoption since they need to approve the adoption along with an agency. My brother wants to adopt a kid so I’m helping him look into what they’ll need to do. I’ll have to tell him that he’ll want to look for a family law lawyer in case they’ll need one for the process so it’ll go smoothly and they won’t have any roadblocks later.

  4. Hazel Owens says:

    That’s good to know that even if the child is able to live with each parent that sometimes only one parent may have legal permission to make important decisions involving the child. My cousin just called me and told me he’s getting a divorce, so I’m helping him find a lawyer since he has three daughters. We’ll have to find a custody lawyer that can help him get legal rights to make decisions for his daughters since he wants to be able to raise them.

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