Long Island Family Lawyer
Understanding Visitation
There are many aspects of divorce proceedings involving children that must be understood and properly arranged for and negotiated. Once divorce litigation,
divorce mediation or
uncontested divorce proceedings have started rolling and
child custody has been determined, visitation schedules for parenting time need to be established for each parent. The parent without primary custody of the child has definite visitation rights.
Common Visitation Disputes
Each family law and visitation lawyer knows that when it comes to children, everything possible should be done to establish a stable environment for them. Even though the parents are no longer together, it is still very possible to bring up a healthy and happy child. We are proud to help you pursue a fair agreement and fight to protect your relationship with your children. If a more informal out of court proceeding is desired, ask us about our NYS Certified Parenting Plan Mediation. Some of the most common visitation cases include such circumstances as:
- Couples divorcing
- One parent seeking to change the current visitation schedule
- The non-custodial parent seeking visitation rights
- The custodial parent seeking to deny visitation for the wellbeing and protection of the children
- Grandparents seeking visitation rights to their grandchildren
The Court’s Impact on Visitation
Visitation schedules are determined by the court in the best interests of the child. The court generally wants both parents to be as involved in the child's life as possible and will attempt to set a visitation schedule that allows that. Visitation rights may be denied or drastically limited, however, if a parent has shown behavior that could in some way endanger the child or otherwise proves that that parent does not act in the child's best interests. A Long Island family lawyer may be able to help you understand all the ins and outs of this aspect of family law.
Parents are not the only relations of a child that can apply for visitation rights. Grandparental rights can be used to petition the court for visitation of a grandchild. While grandparents' rights definitely exist, they in no way guarantee that visitation will be granted, but retaining the aggressive representation of the Meyers Law Group, PC is the first step.