How Does a Court Decide Who Gets Custody of a Child?

When it comes to child custody cases in New York, the primary consideration for the court is always the “best interests of the child.” This means that the court carefully assesses each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs before making a custody determination. To determine what arrangement would be in the child’s best interests, the court evaluates multiple factors and considers various aspects of the child’s well-being. It is important to note that custody decisions are rarely based on a single factor alone, as the courts aim to make a comprehensive assessment based on the collective weight of these factors.

If you are facing a child custody dispute in New York, it is crucial to have the guidance and support of an experienced New York child custody lawyer who can help protect your rights and advocate for the best interests of your child. At The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, our team of NY child custody attorneys can help you understand family law and work tirelessly to ensure a successful co-parenting plan. Contact us today at (929) 251-4477 to schedule a consultation.

Types of Child Custody in New York

In New York, child custody is divided into two main categories: physical custody and legal custody. Each of these can be granted as sole custody (to one parent) or joint custody (shared between both parents). Understanding these distinctions is essential for any parent involved in a custody dispute.

Physical Custody

Physical custody, sometimes referred to as residential custody, determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis.

• Sole Physical Custody: The child primarily lives with one parent, known as the custodial parent. The other parent, called the non-custodial parent, typically receives visitation or parenting time according to a court-approved schedule.
• Joint Physical Custody: Joint physical custody in New York generally means the child lives with each parent for an equal amount of time. If equal time isn’t workable, courts typically designate one parent as the residential (physical) custodian and set a detailed parenting-time schedule for the other parent. Courts are more likely to approve equal-time arrangements when parents can communicate and cooperate.

Legal Custody

Legal custody refers to the authority to make significant decisions about a child’s welfare and upbringing. These decisions often involve matters such as:

• Education and childcare
• Medical, dental, and other healthcare decisions
• Religious upbringing

Just like physical custody, legal custody can be granted solely or jointly.

• Sole Legal Custody: One parent has the exclusive right to make important decisions regarding the child’s life. This arrangement is often chosen when the parents have significant conflict or one parent is deemed unfit to make such decisions jointly.
• Joint Legal Custody: Joint legal custody means both parents share major decision-making.

New York does not presume joint legal custody is best in every case. Courts will often order joint legal custody when parents can cooperate, but will award sole legal custody if ongoing high conflict, domestic violence, substance abuse, or similar concerns make shared decision-making unrealistic or unsafe.

Key Factors to Consider in a Child Custody Case

In New York, the paramount consideration the court uses in child custody decisions is the “best interests of the child.” This standard aims to ensure that all custody and visitation decisions foster and encourage the child’s happiness, security, mental health, and emotional development into young adulthood. 

When determining child custody arrangements, the court takes a look into several key factors to ensure that the decision reflects a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for the child’s development. Here are some key factors that are typically evaluated:

• Stability. Priority in custody disputes is usually given to the parent who is first awarded custody, either by the court or by voluntary agreement between the parents.  For example, if the other parent leaves the home and you raise the child for a period of time without the other parent’s presence in the home, the court would weigh the stability of keeping the child in the home, rather than changing custody to the other parent;
• Child care arrangements. Often, both parents have to work, and priority may be given to the parent who has better child care arrangements.  For instance, if the other parent has significantly better child care arrangements than you, this factor may affect a custody arrangement;
• Primary Caretaker. Priority in custody disputes may be given to the parent who was the primary caretaker of the child before the divorce or separation.  For instance, while you and the other parent lived in the same household, if the other parent spent significantly more time taking care of the child while you worked or did other activities, the other parent, as the primary caretaker, would be more likely to be awarded custody;
• Drugs and alcohol. Evidence of drug and alcohol misuse can affect the award of custody, with the parent who has a substance abuse problem being less likely to receive custody;
• Mental Health of the Parents. Untreated mental illness, personality disorders, or emotional instability and/or poor parenting may affect a custody award, with the parent who is suffering from those conditions being less likely to receive custody;
• Physical health of the parent. Severe physical illness/disability that greatly affects one parent’s ability to care for the child may affect a custody award, with the parent suffering from such a condition being less likely to receive custody;
• Spousal abuse. Evidence that one parent has committed domestic violence against the other parent, especially in the presence of the child, will affect a custody award, with the parent who committed such acts against the other parent being less likely to receive custody;
• Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment, and Interference with visitation rights. Evidence that one parent abused, neglected, or abandoned the child will affect custody, with the parent who committed such acts against the child being less likely to receive custody.  Also, evidence that one parent has significantly interfered with the visitation rights of the other parent may cause that parent to lose custody;
• Child’s preference. A child’s preference to live with one parent may be taken into consideration, depending on the age of the child.  The closer the child is to 18 years old, the more weight the court will give to the child’s wishes. However, the court will look closely at the reasons why the child prefers to live with the other parent.  For example, if the child prefers to live with a parent who is not disciplining the child and who does not set appropriate boundaries for the child, then the court may find that would not be in the child’s best interest to live with that parent;
• Finances of each parent. Courts will consider which parent can provide financially for the child.  For instance, if one parent is unable to afford housing, then this may have a negative impact on giving custody to that parent;
• Conditions in the home environment. Courts do not want to place a child in a dangerous or unhealthy household.  For instance, if one parent’s household poses dangers for the child, such as a new partner that is violent, or frequent parties at the home, or dangerous items kept in the home, this could affect custody, with the parent in the dangerous household being less likely to receive custody;
• Educational opportunities. If one parent is able to offer the child much better educational opportunities, such as a great school district or a school that meets the child’s special needs, then this may affect custody, with the parent who is better able to meet the child’s academic needs being given custody;
• Where the child’s siblings live. Courts prefer to keep siblings together whenever possible.  If the child has siblings or half-siblings living with one parent, this may affect whether that parent receives custody.
• The court’s observations of the parents. Courts will also consider the parents’ behavior in court: demeanor, appearance, temperament, and presentation, all can be considered.  The Court is also more likely to give custody to the parent who shows that they will encourage the child to build a relationship with the other parent.

As a catch-all, and because each case is decided on a case-by-case basis, the Court may also consider any other relevant factor that might affect the best interests of the child.  Being informed about the criteria the Court looks at will help you put your best foot forward in court and avoid common mistakes that can hurt your chances at being awarded custody.

Factor	How It Affects Custody Decisions
Stability	Courts favor the parent who can provide a stable, long-term environment with minimal disruption to the child’s daily life.
Child care arrangements	The parent with better, more consistent child care arrangements is often viewed as more capable of meeting the child’s daily needs.
Primary Caretaker	Courts often give priority to the parent who has been the child’s primary caregiver, as continuity of care is important for emotional stability.
Drugs and alcohol	Evidence of drug or alcohol abuse can severely reduce a parent’s chance of gaining custody or may lead to supervised visitation only.
Mental Health of the Parents	Untreated or severe mental health issues may weigh against custody, particularly if they endanger the child’s well-being.
Physical health of the parent	Serious illness or disability that prevents adequate care can affect custody determinations.
Spousal abuse	A parent found to have committed domestic violence is far less likely to receive custody; this is a critical negative factor.
Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment, and Interference with visitation rights	Such behavior can lead to loss of custody or restricted visitation; courts prioritize the child’s safety and the preservation of both parental relationships.
Child’s preference	The older the child, the more weight their preference carries, but it must align with their best interests.
Finances of each parent	Financial stability is considered but is not the sole determinant; emotional and physical care are more important.
Conditions in the home environment	A dangerous, chaotic, or unsanitary environment can disqualify a parent from custody.
Educational opportunities	The parent who can offer better educational continuity and opportunities may be favored.
Where the child’s siblings live	Courts generally seek to keep siblings together, viewing it as beneficial to emotional development.
The court’s observations of the parents	A parent who demonstrates cooperation, maturity, and support for co-parenting is more likely to receive custody.

New York Child Custody Lawyer Ryan Besinque

What Do Judges Look for in Child Custody Cases?

Visitation Rights for Parents in NYC

New York’s visitation rights are usually filed as part of a case for divorce, custody, or paternity. A New York minimum visitation schedule would give noncustodial parents (parents without primary physical custody) a few hours each week and overnight visits every other Saturday. Noncustodial parents may be granted more, but not less visitation by a judge. The visitation schedule will include information about each parent’s holiday and summer visits.

Both parents have the right to frequent and consistent visits with their children. Even with a history of substance or domestic abuse, a judge will usually not revoke parental visitation rights.

A judge may also order supervised visits if he or she is concerned about the safety of a child visiting an abusive parent. Supervised visits can be conducted at an agency, or under the supervision and agreement of a third party.

At What Age Can a Child Decide Which Parent to Live With in NY

It is important to understand that a judge is not strictly bound by a child’s expressed preference when it comes to custody decisions. While the child’s preference is taken into consideration regardless of their age, the opinion of an older and more mature child holds greater significance. This is because the court values the ability of older children to make independent and rational decisions, recognizing that younger children may be easily influenced by their parents’ desires.

For instance, in a New York case, two young children, aged 5 and 7, expressed their desire for joint custody to spend ample time with both parents. However, the judge determined that although both parents were suitable custodians, the children’s wishes did not directly impact the custody decision due to their young age and inability to form a rational opinion on such matters.

In another case in New York, a judge granted custody as desired by siblings aged 16 and 10, who both expressed their preference to live with their father. The court took into account their preferences alongside other factors like the children’s wish to stay together, the father’s work schedule, and psychiatric evaluations. Considering all these factors, the court concluded that it was in the best interests of the children to live with their father, aligning with their own desires.

In New York, older children’s preferences carry more weight in custody decisions. Ultimately, the outcome of a custody case is determined by considering the overall needs, preferences, and maturity of the child involved.

How Courts Handle Custody Order Violations

In New York, when a parent violates a court-ordered child custody arrangement, the other parent has the right to seek legal recourse through the Family Court system. The process typically begins with the aggrieved parent filing a violation petition, which notifies the court of the alleged breach and requests enforcement of the existing order. 

Upon receiving a violation petition, the court may schedule a hearing to review the allegations and allow both parties to present their side of the story. At the hearing, the judge examines the evidence presented and assesses whether a violation of the custody order has occurred. If the judge determines that a violation has occurred, several remedies are available:

• Contempt of Court: The violating parent may be held in contempt, leading to penalties such as fines or imprisonment.
• Modification of Custody Orders: Persistent violations can prompt the court to alter the existing custody arrangement to better serve the child’s best interests.
• Enforcement Actions: The court may issue orders to ensure compliance, which could include makeup visitation time or other measures to enforce the original custody terms.

It’s essential for parents to understand that consistently following court-ordered custody arrangements is crucial for the child’s well-being and their legal responsibilities. Ignoring or violating these orders can lead to significant legal consequences, reflecting the seriousness with which New York courts treat these issues.

Modifying Child Custody Orders in New York

Custody orders are valid until the child turns 18, is emancipated, or the child custody order is modified. There are situations where the circumstances of a parent or child might change. A request to modify custody can be made by either parent. However, a judge won’t consider a custody modification unless there has been a material shift in circumstances that significantly affects the child’s best interest.

A judge might schedule a hearing to hear evidence supporting the custody modification. Normal life events, such as the birth of a child or the remarriage of parents, is not a valid ground for the modification of child custody. However, major changes like a parent’s diagnosis of cancer, a relocation abroad, or a child’s sudden failing grades may warrant a custody modification. The child’s needs will ultimately determine whether or not the custody modification will be granted.

This article is written for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Each family is unique, each case is different. If you find yourself in a situation involving custody issues it is often a good idea to consult with an attorney to discuss the unique aspects of your case before taking action. Whether you want to move forward with a child custody case in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Westchester County, or New York City, the attorneys at The Law Office of Ryan Besinque, PC can help you with filing for your parenting plan. Call or text us at (929) 251-4477 or email us at ryan@besinquelaw.com for a consultation.