Family Court Child Custody Cases Attorney Staten Island, New York – Erin K. Colgan, P.C.
Going through a divorce or separation? Facing difficult child custody decisions? At Erin K. Colgan, P.C., our Staten Island child custody lawyers understand the immense emotional strain these situations can cause. With over 15 years of experience, we’re dedicated to guiding you through the legal process with clarity and compassion. We offer family law services, including divorce representation, postnuptial agreements, and navigating complex child custody matters. Don’t face this alone. Contact our Staten Island family law firm today for a consultation.
We can help you:
- Protect your child’s best interests. Our experienced child custody attorneys will fight for a fair and sustainable custody arrangement that prioritizes your child’s well-being.
- Explore all options. We’ll discuss mediation, uncontested divorce, and litigation to find the best approach for your situation.
- Feel empowered. We’ll equip you with the knowledge and guidance to make informed decisions for your future and your family.
Let Erin K. Colgan, P.C., be your trusted advisor throughout this challenging time.
FAQ About Child Custody Staten Island
Going to war! We get it; emotions run high during a divorce or separation, but bad-mouthing your ex or focusing on getting back at them can seriously hurt your chances of a fair outcome, especially for your child. Here at Erin K. Colgan, P.C., we’ve seen it all. Our advice? Keep your child’s best interests at the forefront, and try to communicate clearly with your ex. If that feels impossible, we can help you find a neutral mediator to facilitate discussions.
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, a custody agreement needs to adjust along the way. Maybe your child’s needs have changed, one parent’s circumstances have shifted dramatically, or something else significant has happened. If you think a modification might be necessary, the good news is that it is possible under certain circumstances. We can review your current agreement and advise you on the legal grounds for modification, guiding you through the process if needed.
Absolutely! The court can be stressful and expensive, so if you and your ex can still talk things out somewhat civilly, mediation is a fantastic option. Think of it like having a guided conversation with a neutral third party who helps you reach an agreement that works for everyone, especially your child. Here at Erin K. Colgan, P.C., we can help you draft a clear and enforceable custody agreement, even if you don’t go to court.
Custody refers to the legal decision-making power regarding your child’s upbringing, including where they live, who makes healthcare decisions, and what school they attend. On the other hand, child visitation rights outline the time a non-custodial parent spends with the child. Think of custody as the big picture and visitation as the specific times your child spends with each parent.
The honest answer is that it depends. The complexity of the case, how long it takes to settle, and your attorney’s hourly rate all play a role in the final cost. At Erin K. Colgan, P.C., we can offer competitive rates, transparent billing practices, and a free consultation to discuss your specific situation. This will give you a clearer picture of what to expect upfront.
Areas We Serve - Child Custody Staten Island
Understanding Child Custody Options
Going through a divorce or separation? Facing child custody decisions can be daunting. At Erin K. Colgan, P.C., our experienced Staten Island child custody lawyers and family law attorneys are here to guide you through the legal process. We’ll help you understand the different custody options and advocate for what’s best for your child.
Here’s a breakdown of some key child custody arrangements:
Legal Custody
Legal custody refers to the legal decision-making power regarding your child’s upbringing. This includes major choices about things like healthcare, education, and religious instruction. Family law attorneys can help you determine if you’ll have sole legal custody, meaning you make all the decisions, or joint legal custody, where you and your ex share decision-making responsibilities.
[H3] Physical Custody
Physical custody refers to where your child lives and spends the majority of their time. Similar to legal custody, there are options for sole physical custody, where your child lives primarily with you, or joint physical custody, where your child divides their time between both parents’ homes. Child custody lawyers can help you navigate these options and determine a parenting plan that fits your child’s needs and your family’s situation.
Full & Joint Custody
Full custody occurs when one parent has both legal and physical custody of the child. Joint custody, on the other hand, can be further divided into joint legal custody (shared decision-making) and different variations of joint physical custody. Depending on the circumstances, these variations can include anything from a weekly alternating schedule to a more complex arrangement.
Divorce lawyers at Erin K. Colgan, P.C. will work with you to explore all the child custody options and tailor a plan that prioritizes your child’s well-being. We understand there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and we’ll fight for an arrangement that reflects your unique family dynamic.
Grandparent Custody
In some cases, grandparents may seek custody of their grandchildren. While not as common as parental custody arrangements, our experienced family law attorneys can assist grandparents in navigating the legal process of seeking grandparent custody. We understand the complexities of these situations and will work tirelessly to advocate for your grandchild’s best interests. Contact us today for a consultation, and let our experienced child custody attorneys guide you through this challenging time.
Grandparent Custody Help in Staten Island – Child Custody Attorney You Can Trust
Facing a situation where your grandchild’s well-being is a concern? At Erin K. Colgan, P.C., we understand that sometimes grandparents need legal support when it comes to child custody. Our experienced Staten Island child custody attorneys are here to help.
While most child custody cases involve parents, grandparents may also seek custody of their grandchildren in certain circumstances. If you’re a grandparent in Staten Island navigating this complex legal territory, you don’t have to go it alone.
Here’s how our Staten Island family law attorneys can assist you:
- Understanding Your Rights: We’ll explain the legal grounds for seeking grandparent custody in New York State.
- Building a Strong Case: Our child custody lawyers will work with you to gather evidence and build a compelling case that prioritizes your grandchild’s best interests.
- Navigation of the Court System: The legal process can be daunting. We’ll guide you through every step, from filing petitions to representing you in court if necessary.
- Protecting Your Grandchild: Our ultimate goal is to ensure your grandchild’s safety and well-being throughout this challenging time.
We understand the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Our compassionate divorce lawyers will treat your situation with the sensitivity it deserves.
Don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact Erin K. Colgan, P.C., today for a consultation to discuss your specific situation. We’ll answer your questions and explore all your legal options. Let our experienced Staten Island child custody attorney be your trusted advisor during this difficult time.
Prioritizing Children’s Well-Being During Divorce
Parenting our children is our most important responsibility when we bring children into the world. Working with clients on their relationships as co-parents is something I take very personally. I know that with a dedicated support system and a shared love for your children it is possible to raise strong, healthy, adjusted children even after a divorce. I see examples of this in the families I work with as well as in my personal life. I am committed to counseling my clients with this in mind.
Understanding the Impact of Divorce on Children
Divorce can be an extraordinarily difficult time for a family. Your children have no doubt been affected by the ongoing conflict, emotional separation, and physical transition of divorce. At Erin K. Colgan, P.C., we believe that when our clients understand and anticipate what they will face, particularly when children are involved, they can evaluate their options and plan for the impact of their divorce on their children and their wider family unit.
Staten Island Divorce Attorney: Protecting Your Children Through the Process
We try very hard to be child-centric as we believe at Erin K. Colgan, P.C. that children only experience childhood once and that divorce can be challenging enough without having an attorney create additional conflict. We strongly urge clients to redefine themselves and their soon-to- be former spouse as “co-parents” so that their children may transition as easily as possible with the benefit of two motivated and involved parents who respect one another and present as a unified team.
Redefining Your Role as Co-Parents
We help clients protect their interests as they navigate the Staten Island divorce and child custody process. Too often, discussions about children are highly emotional, with each parent coming to the table with their desired outcomes and hoping to continue the status quo relationship. Sometimes we need to work with therapists and other professionals to develop new roles for each parent so that one parent doesn’t bear the burden of all obligations regarding the children and the other parent doesn’t feel they are just an ATM machine.
We look to have the parents buy-in to a new role as divorced parents during mediation and in the divorce context, we try to tailor our settlement negotiations around this premise and work together with our adversaries to make the children’s well-being of paramount importance.
Richmond County Child Custody Lawyer: Tailoring Parenting Agreements to Your Needs
In order to focus on the child’s best interest, we encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and collaborative divorce. Erin K. Colgan, P.C. helps clients reach child custody agreements based on the child’s best interest standard, not solely on the parents’ wishes or preferences. Thus enabling the spouses to reach a child custody agreement outside the courtroom that will be approved by the court.
Factors Considered in Establishing Child Custody Arrangements
Some of the factors taken into consideration related to a Parenting agreement include the designation of the parent with primary physical custody (where a child primarily resides), the designation of how decisions are made (I.e., joint custody), the nature of the shared parenting time; and visitation or parenting access schedules for the non-custodial parent. In addition, the age of each child and the child’s preferences, environmental factors such as the primary parent’s school district, the neighborhood’s safety, proximity to after-school activities, and the stability of each parent’s background, lifestyle or job are also considered. We also stress that it is highly unlikely that one parent will be making 100% of decisions for the children.
Nontraditional Work Schedules and Child Custody Agreements
Fast Fact: Nontraditional work schedules are taken into consideration when determining child custody agreements.
Erin K. Colgan, P.C. frequently works with divorcing government and public sector employees, especially the police, firefighter, and first responder community on Staten Island that work outside of traditional nine-to-five work schedules. Their shifts and schedules may be unpredictable, are frequently longer, and may include overtime shifts that can impact the ability to pick up and drop off children at designated times. In these instances, a child custody schedule is developed that works for all parties to the divorce – wife, husband, and children. Coming to the negotiation table with a work schedule in hand helps to develop a schedule that works for all.
Child Custody Modifications: When Circumstances Change
In some instances, after a divorce is finalized, the situation may dictate that the agreed upon child custody agreement be re-assessed. Erin K. Colgan, P.C. assists clients with issues including changes in the child’s environment, making it unsafe; an uncooperative parent withholding access to information about the child’s medical record or issues at school; the repercussions when one parent wants to relocate; visitation disruptions; or combative, abusive, controlling former spouses refusing to abide by the custody agreement. Judges do reserve the right to change custody and Erin K. Colgan, P.C. does assist past or new clients in this situation.
If you have questions about child custody in New York, call us at 718-981-5505 to schedule a consultation with Erin K. Colgan, P.C., Staten Island’s premier divorce attorney and certified mediator.
Resolve Your Child Custody Case. Talk to a Staten Island Family Lawyer Today.
Facing a child custody dispute can be overwhelming. Erin K. Colgan, P.C. can help. Our dedicated Staten Island child custody lawyers will advocate for your child’s best interests and guide you through every step of the legal process. We prioritize clear communication and keep you informed throughout your case.
Don’t hesitate to reach out today for a consultation and let our experienced child custody attorneys guide you through this challenging time. Visit our website for more information on our family law services, or fill out our contact form to get started.
Remember, you’re not alone. Let us help you navigate these challenging times with confidence.
