How is child custody handled in New York?
When parents separate, arrangements must be made for the support and care of their children. If they can’t arrive at their own arrangements, a Court must decide what is in the best interests of the child. New York State offers the following forms of custody: Legal custody: The authority to make decisions regarding major issues, such as education, medical care, social and religious activities, for the chid. Physical Custody: Often also called ‘residential’ custdody – where the child lives. In some cases, parents share residential custody. In other cases, one parent may have ‘primary residential custody.’ Sole Custody: When one parent has sole physical and legal custody, the child lives with that parent and he or she makes all of the major decisions for the child. Joint Custody: Shared decisionmaking authority, known as ‘joint legal custody.’ You can not obtain joint custody in New York except by Agreement – Parents must have an ability to ‘get along’ sufficiently to co-parent. How do th
