New York
child custody
lawyers
Establishing, modifying, or enforcing child custody? Get matched with an experienced New York child custody lawyer, and pay for the work done, not the hours. No hourly clock, no retainers. You make the decisions. Your attorney handles the paperwork.
New York
child custody
lawyers
Establishing, modifying, or enforcing child custody? Get matched with an experienced New York child custody lawyer, and pay for the work done, not the hours. No hourly clock, no retainers. You make the decisions. Your attorney handles the paperwork.
Over 600
Vetted attorneys
Over 85K+
Clients helped
3K+
5 stars on Trustpilot
11
States served
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Legal care for you and your kids, all in one place
Parenting plans
Create a parenting plan that fits your family's needs. An experienced child custody attorney can help you build clear schedules, define responsibilities, and create an agreement that supports your child's best interests now and in the future.
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Visitation & parenting time
Parenting time is about more than a schedule. It's about staying involved in your child's life. Work with an attorney to create or negotiate a visitation plan that works for your family and your future.
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Court representation
If your custody case goes to court, experienced legal representation can make a meaningful difference. Prepare your case, understand what to expect, and advocate for the outcome you're seeking.
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Enforcing custody orders
When a custody agreement isn't being followed, you don't have to navigate it alone. An attorney can help you understand your legal options and take the appropriate next steps.
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Child custody
Whether you're seeking joint custody, sole custody, or responding to a dispute, get legal guidance tailored to you. Understand your options and work toward a solution that protects your relationship with your child.
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Child support
Understand how child support is calculated, what factors may affect payments, and what your rights and responsibilities are. Get guidance that helps you make informed decisions for both you and your child.
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Child Custody Mediation
Not every custody dispute has to end in court. Mediation can help parents reach agreements with less conflict, lower costs, and a greater focus on what matters most: their children.
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Emergency custody
When your child's safety or well-being is at immediate risk, you may need urgent legal action. Get experienced guidance to understand your options and respond quickly to protect your family.
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Establishing paternity
If you're not married to your child's other parent, establishing legal paternity may be the first step toward custody or visitation. An attorney can help you file or respond to a paternity petition and understand what comes next.
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Child custody in New York is different
New York child custody laws are shaped largely by judges rather than spelled out in a single statute. Here's what matters most before you file or respond.
01
A set percentage of combined income
New York generally applies a percentage to both parents' combined income: 17 percent for one child, 25 percent for two, 29 percent for three, 31 percent for four, and at least 35 percent for five or more. The percentage applies to combined income, not to one parent's income alone.
04
Income starts with gross income, with set deductions
Support is generally figured from gross income minus items such as Social Security and Medicare taxes, New York City or Yonkers income taxes, maintenance paid, and support paid for other children under an earlier court order or written agreement. If a parent is not working to their potential, a court may impute income. When a court imputes income, it must consider factors such as work history, education, health, and the local job market.
02
A cap on the income the percentages cover
The percentages are applied to combined parental income up to a cap, which is currently $193,000 (effective March 1, 2026) and is adjusted every two years. For income above the cap, a court may apply the percentages or consider other factors, such as the child's needs and the standard of living.
05
Modification has set triggers
A parent may ask to change a support order after a substantial change in circumstances, three years since the order was entered or last adjusted, or a change of 15 percent or more in either parent's gross income. Parents can agree to opt out of the three-year and 15 percent triggers, and a drop in income generally does not qualify unless it was involuntary and the parent made diligent efforts to find comparable work.
03
Support generally runs to age 21
In New York, parents are generally responsible for a child's support until the child turns 21, not 18. A child can be emancipated earlier, for example by marriage, military service, or self-support. A court may order support up to age 26 for a child with a developmental disability who lives with and depends mainly on the parent seeking support.
06
For unmarried parents, parentage comes first
A signed acknowledgment of parentage, often completed at the hospital, generally establishes parentage and responsibility for support once it is filed. It can typically be rescinded within 60 days, or sooner if a court or agency proceeding about the child starts first, and after that only for fraud, duress, or a material mistake of fact. Without an acknowledgment, parentage may need to be established through a Family Court case.
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Child custody in New York is different
New York child custody laws are shaped largely by judges rather than spelled out in a single statute. Here's what matters most before you file or respond.
How we compare
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New York managing attorney
Jennifer Paulino
Clients served
1000+
Years of experience
16 years
Practice Areas
Family & Immigration law
Licenced in
New York
Counties we serve in New York
- Albany
- Allegany
- Bronx
- Broome
- Cattaraugus
- Cayuga
- Chautauqua
- Chemung
- Chenango
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Cortland
- Delaware
- Dutchess
- Erie
- Essex
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Genesee
- Greene
- Hamilton
- Herkimer
- Jefferson
- Kings
- Lewis
- Livingston
- Madison
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Nassau
- New
- York
- Niagara
- Oneida
- Onondaga
- Ontario
- Orange
- Orleans
- Oswego
- Otsego
- Putnam
- Queens
- Rensselaer
- Richmond
- Rockland
- Saratoga
- Schenectady
- Schoharie
- Schuyler
- Seneca
- St.
- Lawrence
- Steuben
- Suffolk
- Sullivan
- Tioga
- Tompkins
- Ulster
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Westchester
- Wyoming
- Yates
Your questions, answered
We offer fixed-fee pricing based on service, not billable hours. You’ll know your legal costs upfront with no surprise charges.
Courts in New York consider each parent's involvement, the child's emotional needs, home stability, and willingness to foster a relationship with the other parent. The focus is always on the child’s best interests.
Legal custody refers to who makes major decisions for the child. Physical custody refers to where the child primarily lives. These can be shared or granted solely.
Yes. If your circumstances have substantially changed, you can request a modification. We help you build a strong case to support the change.
Relocation often requires either the consent of the other parent or court approval. We help prepare and present relocation requests or objections under New York law.
No. New York law does not favor either parent based on gender. Decisions are based solely on the best interest of the child.
Uncontested cases may resolve in a few months. Contested cases, especially those involving relocation or modifications, may take longer depending on complexity and court schedules.
Courts may consider testimony, parenting schedules, school and medical records, and written communications. We help you gather the most effective evidence to support your case.
*The Attorney Match Guarantee™ applies to Marble’s matching process only and does not guarantee case outcomes, general satisfaction, or full refunds. Re-matches are subject to attorney availability and good account standing, and are limited to 3 discretion-based re-matches. If a suitable attorney is unavailable, a prorated refund based on work completed may apply.