| The state of New York takes domestic relations | | | | want to be involved, joint custody may be the right |
| issues very seriously. Chapter 14 of the New York | | | | option for them. |
| Consolidated Laws contains the crucial laws that | | | | Chapter 14 gives the state of New York authority |
| govern domestic issues. Under this umbrella of laws, | | | | over child custody matters. This means that the |
| the state has included necessary guidelines and rules | | | | state court can determine the custody and visitation |
| about child custody. These are the laws that govern | | | | schedule along with other custody arrangements. It is |
| how a mother and father should make their custody | | | | best if the parents can work together to make a |
| and visitation schedule, and also how that schedule is | | | | schedule and submit it together to the court. |
| accepted and enforced by the court. It is absolutely | | | | However, if that isn't a possibility, this law gives the |
| necessary that a parent involved in a custody | | | | power to a judge to make the final decision. Each |
| situation learn these laws and be familiar with them. | | | | parent will have the opportunity to present a |
| Here is an overview of the rules that impact the | | | | proposed schedule to the court and explain why it is |
| custody and visitation schedule. | | | | in the child's best interest. |
| The Social Services Law in the New York Family | | | | The state has specified that the judge must make |
| Code specifies that the mother and father have an | | | | any child custody decision with the child's best |
| equal right to custody of the children. Neither parent | | | | welfare in mind. Some of the factors the judge will |
| is given a preference because of their gender, nor is | | | | consider when determining what is in the child's best |
| either parent denied custody because of their gender. | | | | interest are: the parenting skills of each parent, the |
| New York gives parents an option to have joint | | | | role each parent played before the separation, the |
| custody if that is in the best interest of the child. | | | | preference of the child, the relationship between the |
| Joint custody means that each parent has substantial | | | | child and parents and siblings, if there has been a |
| time with the children, but it doesn't mean that the | | | | history of domestic violence, if the parents are able |
| parents have exactly equal time with the children. | | | | to get along, etc. |
| The mother and father also share legal responsibility | | | | Once the judge has made a decision about the |
| of the children in joint custody. | | | | custody and visitation schedule, it becomes a legal |
| The Social Services Law is very pertinent to parents | | | | document and is valid under New York law. This |
| who are setting up their custody and visitation | | | | means that the parents must follow the terms and |
| schedule. The base of this schedule is the division of | | | | conditions in the schedule. Failure to do so can result |
| custody. Parents should select the custodial parent | | | | in being held in contempt of court. |
| based on what is best for the child. If both parents | | | | |