Category Archives: Child Custody

After a New York divorce, who gets the children for Thanksgiving usually depends on the custody order, divorce judgment, settlement agreement, or parenting plan already in place. A holiday parenting schedule can take priority over the regular weekly schedule, which means the parent who normally has the children on Thursday or that weekend may not […]

Summary A new partner can affect child custody in New York when the relationship has a real effect on your child’s safety, stability, care, home environment, or parenting schedule. Dating, cohabitation, or remarriage alone does not automatically change an existing custody order. New York courts focus on the best interests of the child. Depending on […]

Holiday parenting disputes in New York usually start with the existing custody or parenting-time order. If a disagreement reaches court, a judge may review the wording of the order, the child’s best interests, each parent’s past performance, the practical effect of travel and exchanges, and whether the requested change is temporary or calls for a […]

A major change in your child’s daily routine may support a request to modify a New York custody or parenting-time order when circumstances have changed enough to justify court review and the requested change would serve your child’s best interests. School schedules, transportation demands, childcare needs, medical or therapy appointments, extracurricular activities, relocation, and changes […]

Fall can change a co-parenting schedule quickly. School-day exchanges replace flexible summer routines, extracurricular activities fill afternoons and weekends, fall holidays can override the regular parenting calendar, and work or childcare arrangements may need to change. Saratoga, New York parents can prepare by reviewing the current custody order, comparing school and activity calendars early, confirming […]

When co-parents disagree about a child’s school activities, start by reviewing the custody order, parenting plan, divorce judgment, settlement agreement, temporary order, or later modification that governs the family. The controlling document may assign educational decision-making, require joint consent, address extracurricular expenses, establish transportation duties, or protect each parent’s scheduled parenting time. The practical details […]

A school-year parenting schedule should support your child’s attendance, homework, activities, transportation, rest, and time with each parent when that arrangement is safe and consistent with the custody order. A summer schedule may no longer fit once classes begin. You and the other parent may be able to address a limited scheduling problem through a […]

The start of a new school year can reveal custody and parenting-time problems that were less noticeable during summer. Class schedules, bus routes, after-school care, homework, activities, and work obligations may no longer fit the current parenting plan. You can reduce confusion by reviewing the existing custody order before classes begin, comparing it with the […]

Summer camps, sports, lessons, travel, and family visits can give your child structure and meaningful experiences. They can also create disputes when you and your co-parent make overlapping plans or disagree about cost, transportation, consent, or parenting time. You can lower the risk of conflict by reviewing your custody order first, using one shared calendar, […]

In the challenging process of determining child custody arrangements during divorce or separation cases, the involvement of a child custody evaluator plays a vital role. A child custody evaluator is a trained professional who conducts comprehensive assessments to provide objective recommendations for the best interests of the child involved. In the state of New York, […]

Are you unsure why your attorney is agreeing with the forensic evaluation recommendations? Jean Mahserjian explains why in this informative video. Question: Why should I trust the advice of the forensic child custody evaluator? Answer: After a forensic custody evaluation is completed, the evaluator writes a report. These reports can range from 20 to 80 […]

If the court is dealing with a litigated family law situation, they may call for a forensic child custody evaluation. In this video, learn what the court looks into. Question: What is a forensic child custody evaluation? Answer: In litigated custody cases, we often ask the court to order a forensic custody evaluation. A forensic […]

I signed the birth certificate and paternity. What are my rights without a custody agreement in place? Question: I am currently awaiting court on the 28th with my ex. We were never married. I did sign the birth certificate and the paternity when my daughter was born. My daughter is 4 months old, formula fed as […]

A parent who wants to move with a child may need the other parent’s agreement, court approval, or both when the move would interfere with an existing custody order or parenting schedule. In New York, courts decide relocation disputes according to the child’s best interests. They review the reasons for the proposed move, the child’s […]

A new romantic relationship during the summer does not automatically change custody in New York, but it can become relevant if it affects a child’s stability, safety, schedule, or emotional well-being. Summer often brings longer parenting time, vacations, childcare changes, and more social activity, which can make a new relationship more visible to the other […]

Yes, a custody agreement may be modified before the new school year starts if there has been a meaningful change in circumstances and the proposed change serves the child’s best interests. For Saratoga, New York parents, school schedules, transportation, after-school care, relocation, academic needs, and changes in a parent’s availability may all affect whether a […]

 International travel with a child after divorce in New York is governed by custody orders, parental rights, and court oversight. Most parents must obtain consent or court permission before taking a child outside the United States. Disputes often arise when custody agreements do not clearly address travel, creating legal risk and urgency. Proper documentation and […]

 Summer custody disputes in New York often arise when parents struggle to align vacation plans, travel schedules, and parenting time during school breaks. These situations can quickly become stressful when communication breaks down or when one parent believes the custody order is not being followed. In Saratoga, New York, courts continue to enforce custody arrangements […]