Child Custody

     Maya Murphy represents clients in complex child custody and child visitation matters including relocation cases throughout New York state, and Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut.† Our Connecticut office is located in Westport. The Connecticut office is involved in many complex divorce matters throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties, including the towns of Westport, Weston, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Wilton, Greenwich, and New Canaan.

Child custody and visitation issues can be very stressful for the parents and children involved. Our attorneys are experienced in handling the most difficult custody matters with expert sensitivity towards the emotional best interests of the children involved. Working together with our clients as a team our attorneys become familiar with and sensitive to the concerns facing our clients and their children through the divorce process.

If a child custody arrangement involves a relocation issue, our attorneys are familiar with the laws and experienced in dealing with relocation issues as they related to child custody disputes in the context of a divorce.

Custody Arrangements and Parental Rights

In Connecticut, two determinations must be made by the court regarding child custody.

The first determination affects the legal custody of the child. Legal custody of the child means that a determination is made as to how decisions will be made regarding the health, welfare, and education of the child. One parent can be given this responsibility, or it may be shared between the parents.

The second determination affects the physical custody of the child. Physical custody of the child is a determination that is made as where the child will actually live.

Regarding legal custody, there are two possibilities. The first is sole legal custody, where one parent is solely responsible for all decisions affecting the children. The second is joint legal, where both parents share in the decision making responsibilities affecting the children.

Regarding physical custody, there are several arrangements. One arrangement is sole physical custody where one parent retains exclusive physical custody. The second is joint physical custody where the child primarily lives with one parent while the other has visitation rights. The third possibility is shared physical custody where the parties equally share physical custody of the child.

Often the team of matrimonial and family law attorneys at Maya Murphy are able to negotiate and finalize a written agreement related to all of the custody issues before they even go to trial to be decided by a judge.

Child Support and Financial Obligations

In Connecticut, child support payments vary depending on each circumstance. Generally, the parent retaining custody of the child receives a weekly or monthly payment from the non-custodial parent for the purpose of contributing to the financial needs of the child. The specific amount of support required to be paid is based on the parent's income and the child's specific financial needs.

At Maya Murphy, we would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding child custody or child support, please†contact us by telephone at (203) 221-3100 or (203) 222-MAYA. You can also send an e-mail inquiry to Joseph C. Maya, Esq. at JMaya@Mayalaw.com.

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New York, NY 10016
(212) 682-5700
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