Dedicated Syracuse Family Attorney Helps with Visitation Issues

Central New York lawyer provides reliable counsel on parental rights

When one parent is granted sole physical custody, the noncustodial parent is permitted to seek an order of visitation to maintain "frequent and meaningful" contact with the child or children. At Bombardo Law Office, P.C. in Syracuse, I draw on more than 27 years of experience to help parents create appropriate time-sharing plans after a divorce. Each situation is unique, but many visitation schedules consist of visits every second weekend and every other holiday. If the parents live near each other, one night of visitation in the middle of the week may also be granted to the noncustodial parent, for example. The court usually grants the noncustodial parent overnight visitation unless the parent does not have a safe place for the child to stay. By working with an accomplished New York divorce lawyer, you’ll be able to pursue visitation terms that protect your parental rights and create a supportive environment for your child.

Factors that can affect visitation arrangements

Though joint residential custody might sound appealing, that type of arrangement can pose several obstacles to everyone involved. Often, primary or even sole custody with one parent generous visitation for the noncustodial parent is truly in the best interests of the child. My firm offers comprehensive counsel on the issues that affect time-sharing plans, including:

• School and other activities — Children gain educational and social benefits by spending time in school and at extracurricular activities such as sports and music lessons. When working on a visitation schedule, I strive to achieve consensus on a plan that minimizes the disruption to the child’s daily routine and acknowledges the parents’ professional and family responsibilities.

• Parent roles — In families where one spouse served as the primary breadwinner and the other took care of the household, a divorce can present significant challenges. The parent who worked outside the home might not be comfortable with their new responsibilities in a joint custody arrangement or during visitation periods. After 27 years as a family lawyer, I know how people react and how they adjust to circumstances. Through honest, open discussions, I work closely with you to identify your goals and to reach a solution that best suits you and your child.
• Supervision — Even parents who have had problems can be a positive influence on their children. However, the young person’s safety always comes first. If your co-parent has a history of abusive behavior, substance abuse or something else that might present a risk to your child, supervised visitation might be an appropriate option.

A sound parenting plan should be clear and easily enforceable, while maintaining the flexibility to adjust as your son or daughter’s needs change. Having assisted numerous families for nearly three decades, I can tell you what to anticipate and protect your interests during negotiations and visitation hearings.

Sanctions for interference with visitation rights

If the custodial parent refuses to permit court-ordered visitation, the court could sanction that parent. Depending on the specific facts, the court might choose to revise custody and visitation terms to reflect a parent’s refusal to abide by the court order. Don’t let the other parent threaten your relationship with your child or children. Once a violation occurs, I am prepared to seek appropriate relief from the court.

Lawyer advises on visitation rights for grandparents and other nonparents

Typically, parents have full control over who can and cannot spend time with their child. A grandparent can seek visitation rights if their child has died, or if they have a pre-existing positive relationship with the child and it was cut off by one or both parents, or in other circumstances where “equity sees fit to intervene” if the court finds that extraordinary circumstances exist that potentially justify a grandparent visitation order. Even after this threshold is met, the court will review the pertinent facts to determine whether establishing visitation rights would be in the child’s best interests.  The same analysis would apply to a non-relative seeking visitation with the child.  If you are a grandparent, stepparent or someone else who is close to a child and believes that visitation rights might be warranted, my firm will review the situation in detail so you can make an informed choice about how to proceed.

Contact a seasoned Syracuse visitation rights lawyer for a consultation   

Bombardo Law Office, P.C. in Syracuse assists Central New York parents and others with all types of child visitation and custody concerns. Please call 315-800-4002 or contact me online to set up a meeting regarding your situation and legal options.