Visitation/Custody
Key Areas
Contact Us

Contact us for a FREE and
confidential case evaluation.





Our Policy

When you work with us, you’re part of the family. We know it can be difficult to speak during working hours, so we even go as far as to give out our personal numbers - we’ll do what it takes to make life easier for you.

›› Call us at 1-800-585-4658 OR 1-516-873-9550 or E-Mail Us today!

Visitation and Custody

There are two types of custody: physical and legal. Physical custody refers to the physical possession and control of the child. Legal custody refers to the right to make major decisions (such as educational, medical and religious) for your child. The New York Child Visitation lawyers with Leeds Morelli & Brown are experienced in working with families as they make custody and visitation decisions.

There are four types of physical custody:

  • Primary: The child primarily resides with one custodial parent.
  • Partial: A parent has the right to take the child away from the primary custodian (usually for nights, weekends and vacations).
  • Visitation: A parent has the right to visit (usually supervised) the child at the child’s primary residence or another location but does not have the right to remove the child from the primary custodian’s control.
  • Shared: Parents share custody based on a schedule to ensure regular, frequent contact.

Parents who can communicate with each other, even minimally, often share legal custody. Most courts prefer that parents consult with each other before making major decisions on behalf of the child. Rarely does one parent receive sole legal custody of a child.

Many parents utilize mediation, a non-adversarial process in which a neutral person helps parents settle their dispute. The mediator does not have power to impose a solution on the parties but helps them create their own agreement. Mediation is a better method than litigation for resolving custody and visitation disputes because it usually:

  • Does not involve lawyers or expert witnesses.
  • Produces a settlement after five to 10 hours of mediation over a week or two. (Child custody litigation can drag on for months or even years.)
  • Enhances communication between the couple and makes cooperation more likely after the divorce or separation when it comes to raising the child.

Find a custody and visitation lawyer at the Long Island, N.Y., law firm of Leeds Morelli & Brown. Our attorneys represent client throughout the New York City metropolitan area, Long Island, midtown Manhattan and Commack. Call us at 1-800-585-4685 or 516-873-9550.