Can a Non-Parent Get Custody of a Child in New York?
In New York, custody disputes usually occur between parents—but what happens when someone who isn’t a biological or legal parent seeks custody of a child?
At Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, located in Downtown Brooklyn, we often get calls from concerned relatives, former partners, or family friends asking:
Can a Parent Prevent the Other Parent from Moving Out of State With the Children?
At the Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, many Brooklyn parents come to us with urgent questions about relocation and child custody, often asking:
“Can I stop the other parent from moving out of New York with our child?”
The answer is yes—but time is of the essence.
Vacating a Default Order in Brooklyn Family Court: Protecting Your Custody, Visitation, and Support Rights
By Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC – Brooklyn, NY Family Court Attorneys
Missing a court date in Family Court can feel like the end of the world. Parents often learn too late that they’ve lost custody, visitation, or even had a child support order entered against them—all because they did...
When Do I Start Paying Child Support in New York?
One of the most common questions we receive at Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, from non-custodial parents in Brooklyn, New York, is:
“Do I have to pay child support back to the day my child was born?”
The short answer is: No.
In New...
Safe Co-Parenting After Domestic Violence: How Technology Can Empower Brooklyn Families
Navigating co-parenting in the aftermath of domestic violence is one of the most difficult challenges a parent can face. As a Brooklyn Family Court attorney with years of experience representing victims of intimate partner abuse, I have seen firsthand how traditional communication methods—texts, emails, even verbal exchanges—can retraumatize survivors and escalate conflict.
Joint Physical Custody Is Not Guaranteed in New York Family Court
Many parents who walk into Brooklyn Family Court believe that joint physical custody—equal time with the child—is a default starting point in New York custody proceedings. After all, shouldn’t both loving, capable parents get equal time with their children?
Unfortunately, that assumption doesn’t align with New York law or...
Understanding Joint Physical Custody in New York Family Court
At The Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, based in Downtown Brooklyn, we represent mothers and fathers throughout New York City in child custody proceedings, including cases where parents seek or oppose joint physical custody. Whether you’re divorcing, legally separating, or modifying an existing custody order, it is crucial to understand how New York...
Winning the Second Prong: How to Prove the Incident Is No Longer Relevant and Reasonably Related to Your Ability to Care for Children in SCR Hearings in New York
If you’ve been indicated for child abuse or neglect in New York and are seeking to seal your record on the State Central Register (SCR), it’s critical to understand the two-prong test used in administrative hearings. While much attention is often paid to the first prong—whether abuse or neglect occurred—many people fail...
Winning a Motion to Dismiss in Family Court: What It Takes to Defeat a Harassment Petition in New York
At The Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, we regularly defend clients facing petitions for orders of protection in New York Family Court—often based on claims of harassment. While these petitions can have serious consequences, not every allegation meets the legal threshold. In some cases, we’re able to file a motion to dismiss early...
How to Approach Sealing an Indicated SCR Report After a Family Court Neglect Finding: Legal Strategy and Pitfalls to Avoid
If you’ve been indicated for child neglect and your name appears in the New York State Central Register (SCR), you may be wondering whether you can have that report sealed or amended. For many, this record can create serious barriers to employment—especially in child-related professions. At The Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, we...