The Best Interest of the Child
Breaking up or getting a divorce is rarely easy on anyone, and when you enter children into the equation, it gets even more emotional, stressful, and complicated. For some people child custody issues are easy to work out and everyone agrees, and all the more power to them. However, for other couples child custody is a highly contested issue, and one that can lead to a significant amount of emotional turmoil for the mother, father, and the children themselves.
Parents have to remember that children take cues from their parents, and when their parents are arguing over child custody, the children can become upset and believe they are the reason for the conflict and they can think it's all their fault. For this reason, it's important that parents treat each other with respect and be civil to each other for the sake of their kids.
Understanding Physical Custody Arrangements
Although New York used to favor mothers in divorce proceedings, these days the courts have no preferential treatment towards the mothers or the fathers. Both parents are given equal consideration when determining who will get the kids. Ideally, the parents will work out a child custody and visitation arrangement amongst themselves; however, when parents cannot come to terms on such an agreement, a family court judge will have to step in and decide for them.
