Buffalo & Western New York Matrimonial and Family Law Firm

Venzon Law Firm achieves the best result for you and your children

Many cases heard in family court relate to children—often in the aftermath of a divorce. Our lawyers have many years of experience in family court, and we strongly represent the best interests of you and your children.

Child custody law

If the parents cannot come to an agreement about how to share the parenting of their minor children, the court establishes a custody order. The best interests of the children are considered.

New York courts have broad discretion in child custody awards, so it is especially important that you retain the services of Venzon Law Firm for your custody hearings. As Buffalo child custody attorneys, we have the experience and legal skill to present your case in the best possible light to help you win custody.

The Hague Convention deals with the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. It became law in the United States in 1988 See 42 USC sec. 11601-11610 ICARA and tells you how to get your child returned who has been wrongfully removed from the US The Hague Conference also tells you what Countries are treaty partners. See www.hcch.net or contact OCI at 1-888-407-4747 or NCMEC at 1-800-THE –LOST (1-800-843-5678).

Relocation

Society is now more mobile than ever before which can mean that once a family separates the custodial parent may want to move out of state or a great distance away from the other parent. The parent who has access (visitation) may not want to lose close contact with the children so there will be conflict. Venzon Law Firm has experience in representing both custodial and non-custodial parents when these issues arise. Courts have stated the visitation is the right of both parent and child-we have the ability to assist you in this type of difficult matter.

Child support law

As you would expect, child support is normally paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent.

Basic child support obligation

The court first determines the combined parental income, allows certain deductions, and then multiplies the net amount by the child support percentage:

Childcare and healthcare expenses are mandatory add-on payments.

Deviations in child support

A court may in its discretion deviate from the basic child support obligation if it finds the amount to be unjust or inappropriate. Factors the court may consider in deviating from the basic child support obligation include:

• The financial resources of both parents and the child
• The physical and emotional health of the child
• The standard of living the child would have enjoyed
• The tax consequences for the parties
• The non-monetary contributions made by the parents toward the care and well-being of the child

Child educational expenses may be added at the court's discretion.

Paternity law

When a child is born to parents who are not married, a biological father must take steps to ensure that he is the child's legal parent by either:

• An Acknowledgment of Paternity
• A court order

To have a child support obligation—and to have the legal right to custody or visitation—a father must be able to show that at least one of the documents is on file.

Whether you are a mother in need of financial support in raising your child alone, or a father pursuing your rights of access to your child, Venzon Law Firm helps you pursue your paternity case.

Hire Venzon Law Firm to represent you in Family Court

Our experienced child support and custody lawyers in Buffalo, NY are skilled in negotiating favorable custody awards, child support determinations, and paternity judgments for our clients.

Download and fill out the Family Court Questionnaire.

To inquire about our family court law practice, contact Venzon Law Firm at no cost.