Custody and Child Support

Greenwich, Connecticut Family Law Lawyer

Child Custody Determination • Support • Parent Relocations

Issues involving the custody and support of children must be handled with sensitivity and a long-range view. Decisions today may have a profound affect on the child and will largely determine the nature of the ongoing relationship with the other parent.

I have practiced law for over 40 years, and I put that experience to work for you in child custody and support matters. Based in Greenwich, I serve clients in southwestern Fairfield County, Connecticut, as well as southern Vermont. Call today at 203-869-0528 to discuss custody, visitation and financial considerations.

Child Custody

I remind clients that they will share parenting duties for years to come and I actively foster out-of-court, workable resolutions. I encourage parents to take the high road, focusing on the best interests of their child rather than putting the child in the middle of a custody battle because of their own bruised feelings.

The preference in Connecticut courts is for joint legal custody — both parents are involved in decisions regarding the health, education, welfare and religious education of the child. But one parent is typically granted primary physical custody, with the other parent allowed regular visitation. The court considers the child's age, the parents' employment and who has been the primary care provider.

I help negotiate and draft a parenting plan and visitation schedule with workable, reasonable terms. A good agreement provides stability for the child while fostering a continuing role for the non-custodial parent. I understand that sometimes the other parent may be unyielding on child custody matters; my extensive litigation background enables me to protect your interests in court proceedings.

Child Support

Child support payments are determined by a straightforward formula based on each parent's income and day care and health insurance expenses for the child. Accurate determination gets tricky if the paying spouse is unemployed or underreporting income. I use forensic accountants and tracing professionals to locate any hidden assets or unearth true income for determining support obligations. I can also represent clients in child support modification or enforcement actions.

Relocating Out of State with the Children

Ideally, parent relocation should be addressed in the parenting plan. The agreement may require the other parent's consent to move farther than 20 miles away, or prohibit relocation all together. I have represented both sides in contested hearings before a family court judge. I can also negotiate a resolution out of court, with concessions such as increased weekend or holiday visitation, travel expenses for the non-custodial parent, or a reduction in child support.

Avoiding litigation in custody and related legal issues limits the disruption for the child after the trauma of divorce. For resolution-minded representation with the ability to advocate for you in case of litigation, call my Greenwich office at 203-869-0528 or contact me online.