YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Brooklyn Child Custody Lawyers
Child Custody
Child custody is one of the most important areas of family law in New York. For most parents, what’s best for their kids is the standard by which decisions must be made.Unfortunately, that altruistic desire notwithstanding, the legal system tends to be confusing and intimidating. Parents are generally ill equipped to represent themselves and their children before a judge. Our New York child custody attorneys can effectively represent you.
Joint Custody: Defined
The term “joint custody” can be defined as a custodial arrangement in which both parents participate in the raising of their minor child or children. In the New York Family Court system, a joint custody arrangement is often contrasted against a sole custody scenario. When a parent has sole custody, only that parent performs the duties of the primary parenting role in the upbringing of the children.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Joint Custody: No Presumption by Law
No child custody case in the New York Family Court begins under any assumption that joint custody the best option for children. Your interests would be best served with the help of a New York City custody lawyer to properly file your custody petition. The burden will be on you to showto the court the reason that you believe it’s in the best interests of the child to have a joint custody arrangment.
In fact, disagreements in the marriage don’t need to stop a qualified parent from having joint custody. The most important thing is not that the parents get along. What is critical is whether they can reasonably work together for the good of their kids.
Family Court Standard “Best Interests of the Child”
In custody cases, when a court hands down decisions, they arrive at those decisions based on what they perceive is “the best interests of the child”. The court takes several factors into account.Who’s been the primary caregiver for the child up until the time of the proceeding is a main consideration. The judge begins with where the child lives at present, where they attend school and which parent is most capable of giving them shelter and consistency. Additionally, a judge will assess the parenting skills of each parent. The question of either parent’s history of domestic violence must weigh heavily in the outcome.All detail, down to a parent’s work schedule, can come under scrutiny in making custody decisions.
In the vast majority of custody cases, judges award at least some parenting time to both of the parents. The objective of the court is for children to have an opportunity to build a strong relationship with both of their parents in whatever arrangement works best for the child’s health and safety. No two cases are the same.Because of this fact, it’s very important to be meticulous in preparing your case for the court’s consideration.
Best Advice for Success in Child Custody Cases
#1: Hire an attorney that focuses on the custody arrangment you prefer
The attorney you work with will be the most important part of getting custody. The sad reality is that divorce law and parental law are among the most treacherous cases. They have the potential to be greatly adversarial.You need a New York Child Custody attorney that works hard to foster agreements instead of getting you tied up in bitter court proceedings. Settling the case as quickly and amicably as possible is less expensive and traumatic for you and probably better for your child.
#2: Put your best foot forward: Establish a good rapport with your ex-spouse
Regardless of what may happen during the course of your legal matter, it is crucial that you reach out to your ex and have a friendly discussion about how you two will co-parent your children together at this juncture. It might surprise you how much goodwill can be nurtured through open discussion. When you establish this rapport, you and your ex-spouse will accomplish a lot of this work outside of antagonistic court battles.You can instead collaborate to do what is best for each other and your little ones. Your child custody and visitation attorney can also be there to help you out in mediation.
#3: Be sure to educate yourself about the legislation and the details of your case while it is all unfolding
The responsibility of knowing what the New York custody laws say when going through your case is yours. That way, you will be well aware of the custody and visitation rights and you will what you need to do to file a petition to change any current arrangements. Maintain open lines of communication with your lawyer also.One of their responsibilities is to answer any questions that that might come up during the process at any time.
What possible outcomes can I expect?
More often than not, both parents are awarded significant amounts of parenting time with their children. Even if you were not awarded with joint custody, the chances are great that you will still have significant time with your little ones.In extreme cases where deep concerns about one parent are evident, that parent might have parenting time only under limited conditions.This could be, for example, an order not to consume alcohol or substances. That parent may even have supervised visitation if the court feels that it’s best for the children’s safety.
Visitation of a Child in a New York Family Court: Who is Eligible?
Generally speaking, visitation rights are reserved for members of the immediate family of the child or children in question.The term “immediate family” encompasses the parents, the child’s siblings and half-siblings, and their grandparents.Family Court judges have the authority to rule as to whether visitation with the party petitioning is in the best interest of the child. A child’s parents have the legal right to be allowed frequent and meaningful visitation with them, unless it can be demonstrated in family court that such visits would somehow be detrimental to the child.
Contact a qualified New York Child Custody lawyer today.
