Child Custody

Syracuse, New York Child Custody Attorney

Syracuse child custody lawyer Patricia DeRue works with clients to help them reach a child custody decision in the best interests of the child.

But child custody is an area where couples can be as creative as they need to be to come up with a plan that works for their child and their families. Child custody decision-making is an area that frequently benefits from the collaborative law process. The open communication and respect inherent in the collaborative law setting helps parents gain a greater understanding of the needs of their child and the values in play in making a child custody decision.

If a couple tries the collaborative law process and cannot reach agreement on the custody decision, they will still have benefited from the process by providing greater definition of the issues at stake. This will likely shorten the litigation process and save them time and money.

The issues that present the most difficulty for parents include:

• Relocation and transportation concerns, such as when one parent wants to move the child to a distant location, making it difficult for the non-custodial parent to have access to the child
• Visitation schedules, especially when parenting time conflicts with the child’s everyday activities, such as sports, summer camp or classes
• School district issues, such as when the parents cannot agree on which school is in the child’s best interest

Patricia DeRue is an experienced courtroom litigator and a trained and knowledgeable collaborative family law facilitator, offering her clients the options of taking their case to court or finding a joint resolution either through the settlement or the collaborative law process.

Modification of Child Custody Orders

A child custody decision is not set in stone. Changing circumstances within the family or with the child may make it necessary to ask the judge for a modification to the original child custody order. Parental incapacity, access to better schools, parental neglect or abuse of the child, or (for older children) the child’s own preferences are all reasons that a parent may request a modification of child custody order. Any modification is always based on the best interest of the child and it is never one factor that will determine the court’s decision.

Syracuse child custody lawyer Patricia DeRue listens closely to her clients’ needs and values and then works with them one-to-one to develop an approach that works best for their family needs. Contact the law office of Patricia L. DeRue to schedule a initial consultation. Find out why choosing the right lawyer makes all the difference.

Syracuse child custody attorney Patricia DeRue serves individuals and families in Syracuse and Onondaga County, Cayuga County, Madison County, Oswego County, and Cortland County including Onondaga, Lysander, Galen, Wampsville, Oswego, Cortland, Auburn, Pompey, Cicero, Salina, Minoa, Van Buren, Manlius, Clay, Sullivan, Montezuma, Constantia, Brookfield, Cazenovia, Elbridge and Skaneateles.