A husband and wife were married in 2005. They had two (2) children born from the marriage. In 2015 a lawsuit for a divorce was commenced. During the divorce case Family Court offenses were filed by the parties each seeking Orders of Protection against the other. In addition, Orders of Protection were sought for the two (2) children who were 8 and 10 years old.
Justice Stacey D. Bennett sitting in the Supreme Court matrimonial part of Nassau County agreed to the request by the parties to transfer the Orders of Protection from the Family Court and consolidate these family offense petitions with the current divorce action which was before her.
Both Parents Seek Custody
Both the husband and the wife sought custody of the parties’ children. The custody issues focused around the wife’s alleged mental illness and her inability to take care of the children.
Judge Bennett awarded the father sole legal and physical custody of the children. She found he was the more suitable parent and it was in the children’s best interests to reside with their father.
Conclusion
Fathers can obtain custody of their children! Too often fathers come to me and start our discussions with: I understand it is almost impossible for a father to get custody. That is nonsense. The law in New York State is gender neutral. More and more judges are enforcing the law as it was written. The purpose of the gender neutral custody law in New York was to treat both fathers and mothers fairly and give custody, in contested custody situations to the parent who is best suited to take care of children and who would promote the children’s best interests.
