Family law matters generally fall under state jurisdiction, including custody. Most U.S. states have adopted the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, which fosters legal cooperation with respect to multi-state custody cases. New York child custody laws comply with the Act, while also allowing grandparent visitation rights and joint custody.
Types of Child Custody
There are two basic types of child custody in New York, and each comes in two forms.
Legal Custody
A parent is said to have legal custody of a child when that parent makes the important decisions in the child’s life. Some of those decisions include education, religion, and medical care. It is common for parents to share legal custody. In this case, the parents will have to discuss decisions about these issues, although one may have the final say.
Physical Custody
When a child lives with a parent, that parent has physical custody. Although shared physical custody was once popular, a more common approach today is for one parent to have the child during the week, and the other parent watches the child during the weekend.
Sole and Joint Custody
When only one parent has a type of custody, it is called sole custody. When parents share custody, it’s called joint custody.
How a Child Custody Decision is Made in New York
Child custody is always determined by what is in the “best interest of the child.†This is called the best interest of the child standard.New York courts take a number of factors into consideration when deciding on child custody, including:
Grandparent Visitation Rights in New York
New York is one of the few states to allow grandparents and other nonparents to petition a court for visitation rights. The process is very similar to when a parent may petition for child custody or visitation. The grandparent or nonparent will have to present their case for the court, and argue that it is in the child’s best interest to have them in their lives. Siblings may also petition for visitation this way.
The following summary chart highlights the basics of New York child custody laws.
| Code Section | Dom. Rel. §240 |
| Year Uniform Child Custody Act Adopted | 1977 |
| Joint Custody an Option? | Yes, Dom. Rel. §240 |
| Grandparent Visitation Rights Recognized? | Yes, Dom. Rel. §240(1) |
| Child's Own Wishes Considered? | Yes |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
New York Codes and Court of Appeals Decisions
Additional Resources
If you have additional questions about New York’s child custody laws, click on the following links:
Get Professional Help With Your Child Custody CaseÂ
If you would like to know more about child custody in New York, there are many attorneys in your area with child custody experience who may be able to help. A skilled attorney can help explain unfamiliar legal jargon such as “joint custody†or “best interests of the child.†Start the process by contacting a New York family law attorney today.
