Types of Child Custody in New York

Legal, Physical, Full & Joint Custody

Planning and winning child custody is not a simple one-and-done family law process. There are numerous details that need to be worked out and decided, all made with the child’s best interests kept in focus. For many parents entering into a divorce, they are not even aware that there is more than one type of child custody.

If you have found yourself in the same situation, you should not feel ashamed, but you should seek legal counsel. The Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC can provide the assistance and representation you desire, all backed by the knowledge and know-how of attorneys with 75+ total years of combined experience. Give our office a call at (845) 605-4330 today to learn more.

Determining the Right Type of Child Custody

Parental rights of a child can be divided into two separate custody categories:

• Legal: A parent with legal custody has the right to make legal and important decisions for their child, such as what medical treatments can be used on the child and what religion the child is brought up believing.
• Physical: A parent with physical custody of a child has the right to live with and house that child.

Both legal and physical custody can be categorized into two levels of responsibility:

• Full: A parent with full custody of a child does not share any of the responsibilities with their ex-spouse, as it has been deemed by the court that the other spouse does not have the capability to do so for one reason or another. If a parent gets full physical custody, the other parent can only see their children through a visitation schedule.
• Joint: If both parents have the interest and the capability of raising their child, joint custody can be granted. Physical joint custody is split into housing schedules, and legal joint custody requires both parents’ inputs for important decisions.

Example: You win full legal custody of your child but joint physical custody. Your child will live with you one week and your ex-spouse the next. Every legal or important life decision for your child is based solely on your choices, with a few exceptions for medical emergencies or up until your child is a legal adult.

You Should Live Comfortably After Your Divorce

At our law firm, we want to close every case knowing that our clients are happy and pointed towards a more comfortable future. By dedicating our time, energy, and legal knowledge towards your best interests and those of your child, we hope to find the perfect child custody solution for you and your family. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our attorneys at (845) 605-4330 or email us for a free consultation today.