ny law when court interviews child in custody case with only lawyer present

by Carolyn Baumbach 9 min read

At what age can a child make custody decision in NY?

Preference and age: In New York, 18-year-old children are no longer subject to an order of custody. They can choose where they want to go. At the same time, many courts will hesitate to influence the choice of a 16- or 17-year-old, unless the teenager has serious problems or his/ her choice seems unreasonable.

What constitutes an unfit parent in New York?

When a parent's conduct fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support, the court can declare a parent to be unfit. Additionally, if substance abuse, abuse, or neglect, the court may deem the parents unfit. In most cases, after a court declares a parent unfit, Child Welfare Services typically become involved.Aug 30, 2021

Can a 15 year old choose which parent to live with in NY?

Can a Child Choose Their Guardian in New York? While a child express a custody preference, a judge isn't bound by a child's wishes. A child's parental preference will be taken into consideration at any age, but an older, more mature child's preference is given more weight in custody decisions.

Can a child refuse visitation in NY?

Court-ordered visitation cannot be refused unless it is believed that it would put your child in danger. Half-siblings and grandparents can apply for visitation rights, although the court isn't obligated to grant these.May 8, 2016

What is malicious parent syndrome?

"Malicious parent syndrome" is when one parent seeks to punish the other parent by talking poorly about them and/or doing things to place the parent in a bad light, particularly in the eyes of their children.Aug 17, 2020

How can a mother lose custody of her child in NY?

Any parent that exhibits certain types of misconduct can lose custody of their child in New York. If the child is being put in harm's way due to the mother's behavior or lack thereof, she could lose custody of her child.Apr 13, 2021

Is NY A 50/50 custody State?

New York is not a 50/50 custody state in that there is no automatic presumption that custody will be a 50/50 split between the two parents. Should it be up to the court to determine custody, the court will weigh many factors in determining custody arrangements. Both legal custody and physical custody must be addressed.Jun 19, 2020

What is a judge looking for in a custody case?

The child's age, gender, characteristics and background will all be a factor in the decision process. The judge or magistrate will want to ensure that the child is safe from any possible harm and the parent has the ability to meet the child's needs.

How can a father win custody in NY?

Neither parent has a better chance of getting custody in New York, which means that a father can get custody. Child custody cases are decided on a case-by-case basis. Custody can be decided when there has been a New York divorce or when the parents have not been married but have had a child together.

When can you deny visitation to the non custodial parent?

The court can restrict or deny a noncustodial parent visitation grounds on the flowing grounds: If the parent has a history of molesting the child. If the court believes that the parent can kidnap the child. If the parent is likely to abuse drugs while taking care of the child.Apr 16, 2020

How long does a father have to be absent to lose his rights in NY?

In New York, the legally acceptable grounds for involuntary termination of parental rights are as follows: The parent has intentionally abandoned the child for six months or more.Mar 23, 2017

Can a mother move a child away from the father?

Can a mother move a child away from the father? Under normal circumstances, a mother cannot move a child away from the father. However, if it is in the child's best interest, it will be allowed. It is best to obtain a court order dealing with the parties' parental responsibilities and rights under the circumstances.