Child Custody & Visitation

Experienced Lawyers for Child Custody Cases

Child custody and visitation arrangements are a key area of law with long-term consequences for your family. At Brooke, Brady & Schopfer, LLP, we are fully prepared for any direction your child custody and visitation case may take, from a negotiated settlement to a trial in court to reach an agreement or settle a child custody dispute.

Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation about your case and learn more about how our skilled lawyers can help you.

A Legal Focus on the Children, Not on the Parents

In the vast majority of family law cases that go to trial, the primary issue to be resolved is child custody and visitation. This is a highly emotional area with a lot at stake. Our role as skilled Poughkeepsie family law attorneys is to make sure you understand your legal rights as well as those of the other parent and the children so we can focus on a positive outcome.

The legal standard in New York child custody and visitation cases is the best interests of the child. Furthermore, it is assumed by default that a child has a right to the care and affection of both parents.

Sometimes, one parent does not believe the other parent “deserves” much — or any — time with the children. But from the court’s perspective, the issue is what the child deserves, not what the parents want or deserve.

Empathy With the Child’s Perspective

Attorney Jana M. Schopfer, a partner at Brooke, Brady & Schopfer, LLP, serves in the Dutchess County courts as an appointed attorney for the child (formerly known as a law guardian), representing the interests of children in child custody and visitation cases.

This gives our child custody attorneys a unique perspective on what children are going through in these cases and what can be done by a parent to take the best interests of the child into account and articulate a fair position on a desired outcome when it comes to:

Helping Arrive at Fair Dutchess County Child Visitation Agreements

When you contact us, we will help you understand the law, decide what outcome to pursue and make a case for that outcome from the perspective of the child’s interests. Call 845-454-2540 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your questions, situation and needs.