New York, NY – Manhattan child custody and visitation attorney Richard Roman Shum of the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq. (https://www.romanshum.com/if-i-have-sole-custody-do-i-have-to-allow-visitation/) is highlighting how New York custody and visitation laws apply when one parent has sole custody, particularly for families navigating proceedings in Manhattan Family Court. Through an in-depth informational resource titled “If I Have Sole Custody, Do I Have to Allow Visitation?”, Attorney Shum explains how court orders, parental agreements, and safety concerns shape visitation, with a focus on the best interests of the child in neighborhoods across Manhattan.
In New York, sole custody grants one parent primary decision-making authority and, in many cases, primary residence for the child, but it does not automatically remove the other parent from the child’s life. The guide by Manhattan child custody and visitation attorney Richard Roman Shum outlines the distinction between legal custody and physical custody, and explains how non-custodial parents often retain significant visitation rights. The resource underscores how Manhattan families in areas such as the Upper East Side, Harlem, Tribeca, and Chelsea frequently tailor parenting-time schedules around school locations, commuting routes, and extracurricular programs so that the child’s routine remains stable.
The publication addresses common misconceptions surrounding sole custody and visitation. Manhattan child custody and visitation attorney Richard Roman Shum clarifies that having sole custody does not authorize a parent to unilaterally ignore or suspend court-ordered visitation, even when disagreements or logistical frustrations arise. The guide explains that child support and visitation are separate legal issues, that both parents generally retain equal rights in the absence of a court order, and that objections based solely on a child’s reluctance to attend visits rarely justify ignoring a standing order without judicial review.
The resource also explains when visitation may be restricted or denied to protect a child’s safety. Situations involving substantiated domestic violence, substance abuse, severe neglect, or risk of abduction may lead the court to require supervised visitation, neutral exchange locations, or, in rare circumstances, a suspension of parenting time. The discussion references how Manhattan judges frequently rely on supervised visitation centers, police precincts, schools, and community locations throughout the borough to facilitate safer exchanges while preserving the parent-child relationship whenever appropriate.
Another significant focus of the guide is the legal risk of denying court-ordered visitation. The material describes how a non-custodial parent may file a Violation Petition in New York County Family Court on Lafayette Street and seek enforcement of missed visits, supported by documentation such as messages, timestamps, and records of failed exchanges. Potential consequences for willful violations can include make-up visitation, legal fee awards, fines, mandated parenting classes, changes to custody arrangements, and, in rare circumstances, incarceration for contempt of court. Parents are encouraged to pursue modification petitions when circumstances change rather than rely on self-help.
The guide further emphasizes practical co-parenting strategies designed to reduce conflict and support the child’s well-being. Recommended practices include maintaining child-focused communication, honoring pick-up and drop-off times, avoiding negative comments about the other parent in the child’s presence, and using detailed parenting plans that address holidays, school updates, and after-school activities. By approaching visitation with structure and civility, families across Manhattan, from Battery Park City to Washington Heights, can promote more stable routines and healthier long-term relationships for their children.
About the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq.:
The Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq. is a New York City family law firm based in Manhattan, representing parents in matters involving child custody, visitation, divorce, child support, and related domestic relations issues. The firm assists families across Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs with tailored legal strategies that reflect the needs of children and caregivers in urban neighborhoods. Attorney Richard Roman Shum appears regularly in New York County Family Court and other city courts in custody and visitation cases involving negotiated agreements and contested hearings. Parents seeking guidance from the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq. can contact the firm at (646) 259-3416 or visit the firm’s website to request a consultation.
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Website: https://www.romanshum.com/
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Company Name: Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq PLLC
Contact Person: Richard Roman Shum
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Phone: (646) 259-3416
Address:20 Clinton St FRNT 5D
City: New York
State: New York 10002
Country: United States
Website: https://www.romanshum.com/