Divorces rarely affect only the two spouses who no longer wish to be married. To make matters more complicated many divorces involve children and require provisions for child visitation and custody. Fortunately, child visitation lawyers can help you navigate this process and figure out what do what’s in the best interest of your kids.
Here’s what divorcing parents need to know about child visitation, including how to coordinate a visitation schedule and avoid a heated custody battle in front of the children.
Key Factors in Child Visitation Decisions
There are many different factors that go into a child custody case and child visitation, but the child’s best interest is always paramount. Visitation decisions can be based on evidence that one parent is addicted to alcohol or drugs, is physically abusive, mentally unstable, neglectful, or pose other dangers to a child’s health and happiness.
When possible, the child’s wishes are taken into account, but parents should avoid trying to sway a child’s preferences through bribery or talking badly about the other spouse. Other visitation rights factors include the work obligations of both parents, the quality of the relationship between children and parents, a child’s age, living accommodations of both parents, and how far away the parents’ homes are from each other.
Visitation Rights Settlements Out of Court
Child visitation can often be settled out of court and result in a more amicable agreement that puts less stress on the child. Informal negotiations can be conducted with the help of an experienced family law attorney or out-of-court alternative dispute resolution. However, it is still important to establish a written agreement to outline the terms of child visitation and visitation rights in this situation. Meditation and arbitration are options available to divorcing parents that Alatsas Law Firm can assist you with as well in order to avoid a lengthy, costly visitation debate and custody battle.
Establishing Court-Ordered Visitation Schedule
However, some visitation rights issues cannot be settled out of court and must go to litigation based upon the circumstances. If divorcing parents take the matter to court, the court will often loosely define the visitation schedule and allow the parents to work out their own plan based upon their schedules. This occurs when the parents show cooperation and civility towards each other.
However, if parents are not willing to work together for the sake of the kids, the court may outline a strict and detailed visitation plan that includes specific pickup and return times, days of the week for child visitation, and specifications for holidays and vacation days.
Child Visitation Lawyers in Brooklyn
Theodore Alatsas, Esq. is your local expert in child visitation law and ready to help you resolve your child custody case matters in Brooklyn. Child visitation agreements are legally binding and typically permanent arrangements to ensure the future stability of a child. Altering an established visitation rights document in the future is often an uphill battle, which means you want to get it done right the first time around. We understand you want what’s best for your kids and are prepared to help you provide for their futures in the best way possible.
Please contact us to learn more about addressing child visitation issues as part of your divorce and to schedule a free consultation. Based on Avenue U in Brooklyn, our law firm serves clients in and around the following communities: Breezy Point, Jamaica, Rockaway Park, Howard Beach, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Arverne, South Ozone Park, New York, South Richmond Hill, Middle Village, Maspeth, Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens, Rego Park, Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Sunnyside, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, and Richmond County.
