during a custody case in ny does the court assign an attorney for the child when a motion is filed

by Prof. Mathilde Hartmann 5 min read

About three weeks after you file your custody petition, both you and the respondent (the other parent) will receive notice of your first court date, known as the preliminary appearance. At this appearance, the judge may assign an attorney for the child or issue temporary orders.

In most cases, children are entitled to legal help in the Family Court. The judge will assign a lawyer called a law guardian for the child. There is no charge for the help of a law guardian.

Full Answer

Who can get custody of a child in New York State?

An Attorney for the Child will be assigned to represent the child. The Attorney for the child will meet with the child and perhaps the parents. After the Attorney for the child meets with the child, he/she tells the court what the child wants. At one or more court appearances, the parents will have the opportunity to reach an custody and visitation agreement. The court can issue …

What if my child's other parent initiates custody proceedings?

If your case is in family court... About three weeks after you file your custody petition, both you and the respondent (the other parent) will receive notice of your first court date, known as the preliminary appearance. At this appearance, the judge may assign an attorney for the child or issue temporary orders. If a party can't afford an attorney, the judge assigns one at a reduced …

Do you need a family law attorney for child custody cases?

The general rule is that New York state courts have authority to hear a custody case if New York is considered your child’s “home state.” 1 A child’s home state is the state where the child has most recently lived with a parent (or a person acting as a parent) for at least six consecutive months. In the case of a child less than six ...

How will the judge rule on my child custody case?

Dec 30, 2021 · cross petition seeking primary physical custody and the mother filed a petition alleging that the father violated the prior order. After conducting a few appearances, including settlement discussions, Family Court granted the attorney for the child's motion to dismiss all three petitions, on the ground that

At what age can a child refuse visitation 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.

At what age can a child decide which parent they want to live with?

If the question of who the child is to live with has to be resolved through court proceedings, then the courts will start to place weight on a child's wishes when they are considered competent to understand the situation. This can be around the age of 12 or 13 but varies on the circumstances.Sep 10, 2020

What happens after a fact finding hearing in Family court?

The court will make their decision on each allegation and confirm whether the allegation is proven as a fact and if so, it can be used in the final hearing in family court. If an allegation is not proven, then it will be dismissed and not considered further.

What are the child custody laws in New York?

A New York court can make orders about the child's custody only until the child is 18 years old. The Court gives custody based on what is best for the child, this is called the "best interest of the child." If there is no court order, then both parents have equal rights to physical and legal custody of the child.Aug 10, 2020

Can a 10 year old decide which parent to live with?

At what age can a child decide? In law, there is no fixed age that determines when a child can express a preference as to where they want to live. However, legally, a child cannot decide who they want to live with until they are 16 years old.

Can one parent move away with child?

Therefore, a mother may be able to take her children away if the father never married her or wasn't on the birth certificate. However, the father could apply for a court order to prevent her from moving the children away.Jul 24, 2018

What does a fact finding hearing involve?

What is a fact finding hearing? If one party makes allegations during family law proceedings and the other party denies the allegations, the judge will consider whether there should be a fact finding hearing. This is a special hearing which is arranged just to decide whether or not the allegations are true.

What is the main purpose of the fact finding hearing?

The fact-finding hearing is a trial to determine whether (1) the State may intervene over the objections of the family and (2) the child should be declared dependent. Only after a finding of dependency may the court order remedial measures to alleviate the problems that prompted the State's initial intervention.

How long does a fact finding hearing take?

Depending on the case, they may last from half a day to the longest I have done, six days. The process is very similar to a Final Hearing, in that the Applicant is sworn in, questioned by the other side and then the Judge, and then any witnesses for the Applicant are sworn in and questioned.

How child custody is determined?

The Supreme Court establishes that 'the first and paramount consideration is the welfare and interest of the child and not the rights of the parents'. “Custody of child shall be handed over to such a person who fosters him with care, love and affection.”Sep 23, 2019

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.Nov 3, 2021

What makes a parent unfit in NY?

What exactly is an unfit parent? The legal definition of an unfit parent is when the parent through their conduct fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support. Also, if there is abuse, neglect, or substance abuse issues, that parent will be deemed unfit.Jan 1, 2022