When facing any child custody or guardianship matter, it is imperative to seek the proper legal counsel. At Westchester Matrimonial Law you will find honest and skilled legal representation. At Westchester we are exclusively dedicated to Matrimonial and Family Law. This is tremendously beneficial to our clients, because they can trust that whatever situation they are facing, in terms of child custody and guardianship, we can handle it. Our vast experience in child custody and guardianship matters provide a stable foundation that will give you the support you need during a stressful time.
Understanding child custody and guardianship can be exceptionally difficult. By retaining our services you can rest assured we have both the knowledge to help your case, and the commitment to walk you through exactly what is expected from you and what you need to understand.
Familiarizing yourself with some terms and possible arrangements of child custody and guardianship will prove helpful. At Westchester Matrimonial Law we believe that providing and understanding information regarding your case is vital. We want you to know that the complete understanding of your case is our top priority. Often it is helpful to simply define some terms you will be hearing in custodial court regarding your child custody or guardianship case.
Child custody and guardianship determine the legal and practical relationship between a parent and child, such as the right of the parent to make decisions for the child, and the parent’s duty to care for the child. Guardianship and child custody are legal terms that are often confused. Guardianship is when the court appoints a person or an agency to take responsibility for the decisions to be made in regards to a minor. Guardianship is different than custody as it pertains more to decision making for a minor. The term physical custody refers to the child’s physical location. In simple terms guardianship strictly refers to decision making. Custody is a completely different arrangement that has to do with both-decision making and physical residency.
Parents can share physical custody, meaning that the children spend time with each parent. Or, one parent can have primary physical custody, with the other parent having ” visitation” or “parenting time” rights. Legal custody, on the other hand, designates a person as the decision maker for major decisions in a child’s life. Legal custody can be shared or bestowed on one parent.
It is important to note that the child’s best interest should always be at the forefront of any custody/guardianship related decisions. There is nothing more important than safeguarding your children’s best interests. As a parent it is your duty to make sure your children are protected and all possible scenarios are presented and explored. At Westchester Matrimonial we are dedicated to providing dependable representation that will put your children’s best interests at the forefront.
To learn more about child custody and guardianship, please visit our Resource Center that will provide you with information and commonly asked questions regarding child custody and guardianship.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any question or concern you may have. We have the knowledge and commitment to best serve you in whatever Matrimonial or Family Law issue you may be facing.