Staten Island Child Custody Lawyer

Child custody is the most important issue that must be resolved in the breakup of any relationship. Custody, can also be one of the most contentious issues between parents. If you need legal assistance handling a child custody matter in Staten Island, Brooklyn, or the New Jersey counties of Monmouth and Middlesex, contact Attorney Dow at the Law Offices of A. Sheralynn Dow for a legal consultation. As a Staten Island divorce attorney, Ms. Dow will provide competent and caring guidance for your case.

Child Custody Cases

Child custody consists of two parts. Legal custody of a child involves the right and responsibility of making decisions regarding the child, such as health, education, religion, and other major life concerns. Physical or residential custody of a child refers to where and with whom the child will live. When the parents share joint legal custody, both parents will make major decisions about the child. The parent with whom the child resides will make the day-to-day decisions while the child is under his or her care. When only one parent has custody, which is called sole custody, that parent has the exclusive right to make decisions about the child.

When determining child custody, the courts will not favor one parent over the other. Custody is decided upon the best interests of the child. The courts will consider many factors in arriving at their decision. These factors include which parent has been the child's main caregiver, the individual parenting skills of each parent, the physical and mental health of the parents, whether either parent has been the victim or aggressor in any domestic violence incident, what the child desires if he or she is old enough, and more.

Child Custody Attorney for Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the New Jersey Counties of Middlesex and Monmouth

Attorney Dow can help you understand and resolve the legal points of child custody. Arrange a legal consultation with Ms. Dow at your earliest opportunity for caring and competent legal help. Contact a Staten Island child custody lawyer for legal assistance with any child custody matter today.