Child Custody Attorney in Long Island

Protecting Your Time With Your Child When Everything Feels Uncertain

When a court is about to decide where your child lives, who makes key decisions, and how often you see each other, it can feel like your entire world is under review. At The Law Offices of Michael Catalanotto, P.C., we help parents on Long Island understand the child custody process and work to protect what matters most, their relationship with their children.

Our firm is based in Suffolk County, and our work centers on family law and matrimonial law. We know that no two families or parenting schedules look the same. We take the time to understand your routines, your concerns, and your goals so we can guide you through each step with clear advice and steady support.

With nearly twenty years of legal experience, we combine attentive client service with up-to-date technology so you can stay informed even when deadlines are tight. You get access to a team that treats your case as a priority and communicates in a way that fits your day-to-day life as a parent.

Contact our trusted child custody lawyer in Long Island at (631) 621-3750 to schedule a free consultation.

Why Parents Choose Our Firm for Child Custody Matters

Parents who come to us are often facing the family court system for the first time. They may be going through a divorce, separating after a long relationship, or trying to change a custody order that no longer fits their child’s needs. They tell us they want a child custody lawyer Long Island parents can turn to for both firm advocacy and practical guidance. That combination is at the center of how we work.

Our practice is focused on family, matrimonial, and related real estate issues. That focus matters because custody rarely exists in a vacuum. Parenting schedules, housing, finances, and school choices are all connected. Our background in these areas allows us to look at the full picture and help you make decisions that fit your child’s life, not just the next court date.

We also understand that communication can make or break your experience during a custody case. We use secure digital tools so you can review documents, share information, and receive updates without losing hours to travel or waiting. Our goal is to be accessible when time-sensitive questions come up, whether that involves an upcoming hearing or a sudden change in the other parent’s behavior.

When negotiation is possible, we work to reach fair parenting plans that reduce conflict and give children stability. When agreement is not realistic, we prepare to present your position clearly in court, always with an eye on how each choice may affect your child now and in the future.

How Child Custody Works in New York Courts

Understanding the basic framework that New York courts use for custody decisions can make the process feel less overwhelming. In our state, there are two main types of custody. Legal custody refers to who has the right to make important decisions about a child’s education, health care, and religious upbringing. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and how parenting time is structured.

Parents may share legal custody, one parent may have final say on certain issues, or one parent may hold sole legal custody in more limited situations. Physical custody can be primary with one parent and scheduled parenting time for the other, or parents can follow a more equal time-sharing arrangement. The right arrangement depends on many factors that affect your child’s daily life, including school, activities, and the distance between parents’ homes.

New York courts apply what is known as the “best interests of the child” standard. That means judges look at a range of factors rather than following a single rule. They consider the child’s age and needs, the stability of each home, the ability of each parent to meet day-to-day responsibilities, and each parent’s willingness to foster a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent. In situations that raise safety concerns, such as substance abuse or domestic conflict, the court will consider those issues carefully.

No one factor guarantees a particular outcome. The court generally looks at the history of caregiving, the quality of each parent’s relationship with the child, and the overall environment each parent can offer. Our role is to help you understand which facts are most important in your case and how to present your parenting story in a way that is organized and child-focused.

Custody Cases We Handle for Long Island Families

Custody questions can surface in many different ways and at many different times in a family’s life. We assist parents in a wide range of situations, from first-time court filings to ongoing parenting disputes. If you are searching for a custody lawyer Long Island parents trust with sensitive family matters, you may recognize your own circumstances in some of the cases we see.

For some clients, the first custody decision happens during a divorce. Parents who have been sharing a home must now create two households and build a parenting schedule that keeps their children on a steady routine. We work with these parents to develop proposed parenting plans that account for school schedules, work hours, and the realities of travel between homes on Long Island.

We also work with unmarried parents who need an initial order to define each parent’s rights and responsibilities. These cases can involve establishing legal paternity, sorting out who has made key decisions in the past, and building a structure that allows both parents to play a meaningful role in the child’s life when that is appropriate.

Over time, many families find that an existing order no longer fits their situation. A parent may need to relocate, work hours may change, or new information may raise concerns about a child’s well-being. In those cases, we assist with modification requests and, when necessary, enforcement of existing orders. Our custody services also extend to high-conflict situations where communication has broken down, and a clear, court-approved structure is needed to reduce stress on the child.

What To Do If a Custody Issue Arises

When a custody issue appears, whether through unexpected court papers or a growing conflict with the other parent, knowing your first steps can help you feel more in control. The actions you take early on can affect how your case develops, so it is important to move with care rather than in panic. A custody attorney Long Island parents work with should give you concrete, realistic guidance from the start.

If you are served with custody or visitation papers, read them carefully and keep every page. Note any court dates, deadlines for responses, and temporary arrangements the papers describe. It can help to begin gathering information that reflects your involvement in your child’s life, such as school records, medical appointments, messages about parenting issues, and calendars that show your regular time with your child.

Communication with the other parent often becomes strained during a dispute. Try to keep messages focused on the child and avoid statements that are angry or threatening. Courts may review texts, emails, and social media posts, so it is wise to assume your words could appear in a courtroom. At the same time, keep a record if the other parent is missing parenting time, ignoring agreements, or refusing to share important information about the child.

If there are temporary orders in place, follow them as closely as you can, even if you disagree with them. Courts generally expect parents to comply with existing orders unless a new order is entered. Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand which issues merit immediate attention, such as safety concerns, and which are better handled through careful documentation and a formal request to the court.

Working With a Local Custody Lawyer in Suffolk County

Family law is deeply connected to the local courts that handle these cases. When you work with a custody attorney Long Island parents rely on, you are choosing someone who knows how custody matters are typically scheduled and heard in this part of New York. Our office is located in Suffolk County, and we handle cases that go before the Suffolk County Family Court and, when appropriate, other courts that serve families here.

Local knowledge can affect practical details that matter to your daily life. Court calendars, expectations for paperwork, and procedures for conferences or hearings can vary by courthouse. We are familiar with how cases move through these local systems, which helps us prepare filings and guide you on what to expect at each step.

Being nearby also makes it easier to meet when in-person discussions are important, such as preparing for testimony or reviewing key documents. At the same time, we know that many parents are juggling work, school activities, and travel within this region. We use secure technology to share files, hold virtual meetings, and send updates so that staying informed does not require you to rearrange every part of your schedule.

Attorney Michael Catalanotto holds both a J.D. and an M.B.A., a combination that supports strategic thinking in cases where custody issues intersect with finances, property, or business ownership. That background can be particularly helpful in divorces that involve both complex assets and contested parenting issues, because your legal strategy can take both pieces into account from the beginning.

Our Approach To Resolving Custody Disputes

Every family has its own history, strengths, and challenges. Our priority in any custody matter is to listen carefully to how your family operates now and what you want your child’s life to look like going forward. We ask about daily routines, school, health needs, and how decisions have been made in the past. This gives us the foundation to recommend an approach that matches your situation instead of forcing your family into a one-size-fits-all plan.

In many cases, negotiated parenting plans or court-approved agreements can provide stability without the strain of a full contested hearing. We work to prepare clear proposals that lay out time-sharing schedules, holiday arrangements, and communication guidelines in a level of detail that reduces future misunderstandings. Our goal in those discussions is to keep the focus on the child’s needs while still protecting your rights as a parent.

There are situations where agreement is not possible, such as when there are serious disputes about a child’s safety or when co-parenting has broken down entirely. In those matters, we prepare to present your case to the court in an organized and respectful way. That can include gathering records, coordinating with any professionals involved with your child, and helping you understand how to present yourself in the courtroom setting.

Throughout the process, we emphasize communication. We strive to respond to your questions promptly, explain each upcoming step before it happens, and use technology to keep you updated on filings and court dates. We intend that you feel informed, supported, and able to make decisions about your case with a clear understanding of your options.