Brooklyn High-Conflict Custody Lawyers
New York attorneys facilitate resolution of parenting challenges
Child custody is among the most contentious of issues in a divorce, and some disputes can rise to such a level that they seem unsolvable. Often, a child of the marriage becomes a pawn in a strategy of exacting other concessions from a spouse. At Goldberg Sager & Associates, our Brooklyn high-conflict custody lawyers have decades of experience helping parents reach common ground in the most complex legal and physical custody cases. We work to resolve these battles effectively while protecting our clients’ parental interests.
Key characteristics of high-conflict custody cases in New York
A custody case may be deemed high-conflict based on such indicators as:
- Intense and ongoing disputes and antagonism between parents
- Wildly different parenting styles
- Inability of parents to communicate with each other
- Emotional volatility of either parent
- Allegations of misconduct by either parent
If your custody case is affected by any of these circumstances, we will seek to reduce tensions while pursuing the most beneficial outcome for you and your child.
Common causes of high-conflict custody disputes
Antagonism over child custody can arise from allegations of domestic violence, abuse or neglect, alcohol and/or drug abuse, parental alienation, personality disorders or mental illness.
Impact on children when custody arrangements are tense
Though both parents may believe they are fighting for what’s right for their child, a high-conflict custody battle can affect children emotionally, psychologically and even physically. These effects may extend into adulthood. A Brooklyn custody lawyer from our firm will provide legal support that protects your child’s best interests as well as your rights as a parent.
Navigating co-parenting in high-conflict cases
Intense conflict will not go away on its own. While you cannot control the other parent’s behavior, you can control your own by taking positive courses of conduct, such as:
- Avoiding speaking negatively about the other parent, especially in front of children
- Communicating through parenting apps, text or email rather than speaking directly
- Keeping communications short and to the point, focusing only on matters related to your child
If there is a concern that the well-being of your child is in jeopardy, we will explore the possibility of pursuing full custody, which could include supervised visitation for the other parent.
Legal strategies for managing conflict
The most constructive way to tackle a custody dispute is for each parent to develop and propose a comprehensive parenting plan. The plan should include such terms as how major decisions for the child will be made, how information will be shared, when the child will be with which parent and how time sharing will be carried out. The parents can work out differences in their plan or the court can decide on a plan that best serves the child’s interests. As effective negotiators, we will broker a mutually acceptable plan whenever possible or we will advocate for your parental rights in court.
Thereafter, if the other parent isn’t abiding by the parenting plan, the court may assign a parenting coordinator to ensure the plan is followed and to help facilitate discussion and resolve disputes. In some cases, the court may entertain a request for modification of the plan.
