Dedicated Custody Representation for Queens & Brooklyn Parents
Anderson Bowman PLLC represents parents in child custody, support, and divorce matters across Queens and Brooklyn. Whether your situation involves a contested dispute, an uncontested arrangement, or a modification to an existing order, we handle the full range of custody matters Queens families face.
Custody decisions shape daily life for years. We take that seriously, working to protect your relationship with your child at every stage of the process.
If you’re facing a custody dispute in Queens, call us today for a free consultation with no obligation. Reach our team at (929) 590-5053.
Not sure where to start? Get a free consultation with our experienced attorneys to discuss your legal needs. We’ll provide you with clear guidance and expert advice, with no obligation.
New York custody law is governed by Domestic Relations Law sections 70 and 240, which direct courts to decide custody based solely on the best interests of the child. There’s no presumption favoring either parent, and every contested case turns on the specific facts of the family.
New York recognizes two distinct types of custody. Legal custody refers to decision-making authority over a child’s education, health care, and religious upbringing. Physical custody determines where the child primarily lives. Either type can be awarded solely to one parent or jointly between both.
When a Queens family court judge weighs those arrangements, the factors examined include:
The child’s age and overall health
Each parent’s physical and mental health and demonstrated parenting skills
Any history of domestic violence in the household
The child’s own wishes, when the child is old enough to articulate them
Our family law practice covers both contested and uncontested custody and visitation matters. We help clients understand what judges are looking for and how to present their case clearly.
Custody Relocation & Modification in New York
Life circumstances change. A job opportunity, a new relationship, or a shift in a child’s needs can all affect an arrangement that made sense when it was entered. When that happens, the court process restarts around a focused question: what does the child need now?
A parent who wants to relocate with a child generally needs court approval when the move would disrupt an existing custody or visitation arrangement. Courts apply the best interests standard again, weighing the reason for the move, the impact on the child’s relationship with the other parent, and how visitation could be restructured.
Modifying an existing order requires showing a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant income shift, a planned relocation, or a documented change in the child’s needs. We represent parents in relocation petitions, modification proceedings, and matters where an existing order simply isn’t being followed.
Queens County Family Court & Supreme Court: What to Expect
Where your custody case is heard depends on how it arises. Queens County Family Court, located in Jamaica, handles custody, visitation, and support petitions along with other family law proceedings. It can’t, however, grant a divorce. When custody is contested as part of a divorce, that matter moves to Queens County Supreme Court instead.
A typical custody case begins with filing a petition, followed by service on the other party. From there, both sides exchange relevant information, and the court may issue temporary orders while the case proceeds. Matters involving significant conflict or disputed facts can take months to resolve, which is why clear documentation and early preparation matter.
We guide clients through appearances in both courts, explaining deadlines, required documents, and what each court date means for the case. You won’t be navigating the process alone or getting a summary after the fact from someone who wasn’t in the room.
“Mr. Bowman and his team provided exceptional support with honesty, knowledge, and wisdom, guiding us through every aspect of our case. Forever grateful!”
Edgardo M.
“Professional, Patient & Honest”
“Mark Anderson is the BEST and I recommend this team with the highest stars possible.”
Renee L.
“Professional & Thorough”
“Dustin Bowman’s intelligence and professionalism did not fail. His calmness and keen sense of knowledge helped to ease my stressor during this process, and all three cases were successful!”
Pamela R.
“Sincere, Straightforward & Honest”
“It is so rare to meet attorneys with such care and focus on the case along with the high ethics and moral values!”
Yuliya T.
“Highly Recommend to Anyone”
“Mr. Bowman was able to resolve my matter very quickly. Kept me up to speed with everything going on.”
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Grandparents’ Rights & Non-Parent Custody in New York
Custody isn’t always a dispute between two parents. New York law allows grandparents to petition for visitation or custody under specific circumstances defined in the Domestic Relations Law. Our family law services include representation in grandparents’ rights matters, where the stakes for the child’s extended relationships can be just as significant.
A non-parent seeking custody faces a higher threshold. Courts generally require a showing of extraordinary circumstances before considering whether awarding custody away from a parent serves the child’s best interests. Extraordinary circumstances include surrender, abandonment, persistent neglect, or parental unfitness. These cases are complex and fact-intensive, and how they’re presented to the court matters.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Custody Attorney in Queens
Matthew Routh, our Senior Associate Attorney, has represented families in custody and child welfare matters since joining our firm in 2017. His background includes training as a Jerome N. Frank Legal Fellow at Yale Law School’s Advocacy for Children and Youth Clinic and representing parents in child welfare cases through CUNY’s Family Law Practice Clinic. He works within a team that brings over 60 years of collective experience to every case.
If you’re a parent in Queens or Brooklyn navigating a custody dispute, a modification, or a relocation question, we’re available to walk through the details with you at no charge and no obligation.
How Custody Arrangements Affect Child Support in New York
Custody and child support are closely connected in New York. Parents are required to financially support their children until age 21, and the custody arrangement directly affects how support is calculated.
New York uses a formula that weighs each parent’s income, the number of children, and the nature of the custody arrangement to arrive at a support figure. The parent with less parenting time typically pays support to the other, though the specifics depend on the numbers and the arrangement in place. We handle child support representation alongside custody matters so both issues can be addressed together rather than in separate proceedings.
