Legal Action to Meet Children’s Needs

One of the primary focuses of New York family law is the rights of children. Paternity, grandparents’ rights and guardianship are all important legal approaches to fulfilling the needs of a child or children.

At Brooke, Brady & Schopfer, LLP, our Poughkeepsie family lawyers help parents, grandparents and other family members in Dutchess County seek legal rights so they can properly attend to their children’s needs. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation about your case.

Protecting Relationships With Both Parents

Under New York law, a child has a right to the care and support of both parents. If you have a child with someone, even if you are not or have never been married or living together, you, the child and the other parent all have legal rights that may need to be sorted out.

Through a paternity action in family court to establish the legal parentage of a child, a non-custodial parent can gain custody and visitation rights, and a custodial parent can obtain child support from the other parent. We can help either parent with the establishment of paternity.

Helping Grandparents Fulfill Their Role

Unlike many other states, New York has specific laws granting grandparents rights to visitation with their grandchildren in certain situations. If your grandchildren’s parents are trying to deny you contact with them, you can go to court and petition for visitation. We will help grandparents assert this right as well as defend against grandparents asserting said rights.

When a Child Needs a Legal Guardian

Unfortunately, parents are not always fit to care for their children, whether due to substance abuse, mistreatment or some other reason.

Children in New York have a legal right to proper care and support from their parents, and if a child’s parents are unfit, close family members such as grandparents, aunts or uncles can ask the court to grant them legal guardianship.

Even if a child is already living with you, guardianship gives you legal rights you would not otherwise have. We are experienced with guardianship cases and can help you pursue this option.

At Brooke, Brady & Schopfer, LLP, our attorneys are skilled in a variety of approaches to family law and can offer a full range of options to clients interested in establishing paternity, grandparents’ rights or guardianship. Contact us by calling 845-454-2540 to discuss how we can help you during a free consultation at our Poughkeepsie, New York, law office.