White Plains Child Custody Attorney

Parental Rights in Child Custody and Visitation

Of all the issues considered during a divorce, none are more likely to evoke strong emotions than child custody and visitation. The ability to have input into your child's upbringing and fostering a loving, understanding parent-child relationship is the goal of any parent. Experienced family law attorney Joy Y. Frank strongly believes in putting the best interests of the children first in any family law dispute.

At the Law Offices of Joy Y. Frank, we focus on protecting parents' rights to legal and physical custody. While mediation is usually in the best interests of all parties involved, we will vigorously advance our client's goals during the divorce process, no matter what method of resolution is used.

Our law firm's founding attorney — Joy Y. Frank — has protected mothers' and fathers' rights for more than 13 years. To learn more about how we can represent you in a child custody or visitation-related dispute, contact our White Plains, New York, law office today.

Types of Child Custody

There are two types of child custody. Legal custody refers to a parent's right to make important decisions about a child's education, health care, and religious upbringing. Physical custody refers to where the child actually resides. These can each be sole or joint, meaning that one parent alone could be granted physical or legal custody, or the parents could share the responsibilities. A common custody arrangement involves one parent having sole physical custody (the other parent would have the right to visitation with the child) and the parents having joint legal custody. A court determines custody and visitation arrangements by examining a number of factors in an analysis designed to protect the child's best interests.

Legal Custody and Visitation Issues

Attorney Frank will guide you through the process of resolving conflicts related to both custody and visitation. By examining such issues as parental abilities and the best interests of your child, the court will make decisions that will affect the lives of you and your child.

Some issues related to determining custody support and visitation include:

• Grandparent and stepparent issues
• Parenting time and visitation plans
• Child support award and modification issues
• In-state and out-of-state parental relocation

As a parent, you need an aggressive yet sensitive advocate to protect your rights and your children's best interests during a divorce.

Ready to Be Your Advocate

To learn more about child custody and visitation, contact attorney Joy Y. Frank. She represents clients throughout New York, including people in Yonkers, Bronx and Westchester County.