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Couples who are planning to cohabitate or marry should consider working with an attorney to draft a premarital or cohabitation agreement to establish a framework for handling financial and property issues that arise during marriage. By addressing these issues early, you may avoid conflict in the future.
Kingston, New York Custody and Visitation Lawyer
The common source of custody disputes is not unreasonable parents but a flawed document. If the terms of the custody agreement are ambiguous, competing interpretations lead to conflicts. If the terms are too inflexible, there is no margin for the realities of raising a child together.
At the law firm of Jonathan R. Sennett, P.C., we believe it is critical for both parents to understand from the outset what their roles are and what the rules are. Based in Kingston, we serve divorcing or unmarried parents in Ulster County, Dutchess County, Orange County and the Hudson Valley in child custody negotiation or contested proceedings. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.
Initial Determination: Figure It Out or Fight It Out?
Litigation should be a last resort. It is expensive and prolongs a process that is already hard on you and your child. It also places important decisions in the hands of a judge. This may lead to a lopsided custody arrangement or terms that, while fair, are all wrong for your family. And that means you will be back in court sooner or later.
Attorney Jonathan Sennett has 15 years of courtroom experience and has practiced in family law since 2002. His approach is to bring parents to a meeting of the minds, with the goal of a parenting plan that is practical for the co-parents and centers on the best interests of the child.
Shared Parenting and Parenting Time (Visitation)
Most clients already know who will be the primary residential parents. (If not, Mr. Sennett can reasonably predict how a judge would rule.) Our focus is crafting a parenting plan that addresses your desires, but is sensitive to the needs of the child and the reality of dealing with the other parent for years to come.
There is a trend toward shared or split custody (rotating weeks, three days/four days, etc.). This requires a greater degree of cooperation, communication and flexibility, and a consideration for the child's adaptability to the back-and-forth. We will help you decide if this can work.
In a traditional custody-and-visitation agreement, Jonathan Sennett represents non-custodial parents who need assurance they will not be marginalized from their child's life. He negotiates a parenting plan that clearly defines parenting time, exchanges, holidays and vacations, and specifies a role in decisions about the child's education, care and upbringing.
If you can't resolve child custody out of court, Mr. Sennett is an accomplished trial lawyer prepared to go the distance. You cannot negotiate from a position of strength if the other side knows you will fold before going to trial.
A good custody agreement anticipates potential conflicts, provides stability for your child and (re)builds trust between you and the other parent. If you want an attorney who sees the big picture of child custody, call 866-585-1091 or e-mail us to discuss your unique circumstances.
