Child Custody Attorneys

Handling Complex Child Custody Matters

Child custody is the legal arrangement governing parenting time and parental rights after a divorce, split into physical custody (a child’s primary residence) and legal custody (authority over major decisions on health, education, and religion). It ranges from sole custody to the more common joint custody, and New York courts decide contested cases under the best interests of the child standard.

Abrams Fensterman, LLP is a New York law firm that represents parents in child custody cases. Best Lawyers named it a 2025 Tier 1 firm for Family Law in New York City. Its child custody practice is led by RoseAnn C. Branda, Executive Partner and Director of the firm’s Family and Matrimonial Law department (a recipient of Crain’s Notable Women in Law award). The firm handles abuse allegations, domestic violence, and relocation, including interstate jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). It serves clients from offices on Long Island and in Brooklyn, White Plains, Rochester, and Albany.

NY Child Custody Arrangements

Family court judges must make decisions in the best interests of the child(ren) involved in any legal case. In many instances, this includes a time sharing schedule involving both parents. Our experienced attorneys are familiar with the child custody and parenting access arrangements available in New York. 

There are two types of custody: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody addresses primary residence and time spent with the child, and legal custody addresses who gets to make major decisions in the child’s life (i.e., health, education, religion, etc.). Otherwise, mundane, day to day decisions are determined by whichever parent the child is with at the time the decision needs to be made.

Custody arrangements can generally be defined as sole custody, or shared or joint custody. Joint custody, where both parents have involvement, is more common, but time may not be split equally between them. In shared and joint custody situations, our lawyers can help you choose an arrangement that makes the most sense for you and your family. 

Sole custody is sometimes the more appropriate alternative when conflict between parents is so significant that one parent cannot provide a stable home environment or make important decisions for their child. In cases of sole custody, a visitation agreement will define the non-custodial parent’s right to spend time with their child.

We will work tirelessly to ensure these arrangements are implemented and upheld after the divorce or separation is finalized.

Resolving Complex Child Custody Issues

Sometimes, issues are raised that make child custody even more complex. Our NY attorneys are adept at handling complicated child custody matters, including:

• Allegations of abuse or neglect
• Domestic violence
• Special needs of a child
• Unique economic or residency situations
• Either parent’s active duty military service

We can also handle child custody cases involving physical custody relocation and interstate jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).

Our legal team is committed to representing the interests of children and parents in all aspects of child custody arrangements. We use our experience and creative planning skills to work through these difficult custody issues and find a solution that allows parents to move forward from a dispute with a combined focus on raising their kids in the best way possible. When negotiations fail, our attorneys have the skills and experience to zealously represent parents in custody litigation.

Contact Our New York Child Custody Attorneys

Our attorneys are available to represent parents throughout New York. If you have questions about child custody, we can provide answers. Let a legal professional at our firm advocate for your family’s best interests in court.

For further information about how our New York child custody lawyers can help you, please contact our law firm on Long Island at 516-328-2300, in Brooklyn at 718-215-5300, White Plains at 914-607-7010, Rochester at 585-218-9999 or Albany at 518-535-9477 to schedule an initial consultation.