Manhattan, New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond
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+1 646-241-8602
Manhattan, New York City, Westchester, Long Island and beyond
+1 646-241-8602
Worried about your kids? A trusted Child Custody Lawyer in Manhattan can protect your time with your child. Collins Law Group, PLLC fights for parents in New York City.
Tell us what you are facing. Aoife Collins reviews every inquiry personally.
A custody fight is one of the hardest things a parent can face. Your child’s daily life, school, and future are on the line. Collins Law Group, PLLC stands with Manhattan parents at every step.
Our founder, Aoife Collins, has spent 20 years in New York family law and has resolved more than 1,000 family matters. That depth shapes how we build each case. When you hire a Child Custody Lawyer in Manhattan from our firm, you get a plan built around your goals and your child’s needs. We handle both legal custody and physical custody. We take on sole custody, joint custody, and visitation (parenting time) disputes.
We prepare cases for New York County Family Court and, when a divorce is involved, the Supreme Court. We keep things clear. We explain the law in plain words. We tell you what a New York judge looks for, and we help you show why your plan fits your child’s best interests. Some cases settle through calm talks. Others need a strong voice in court. Our custody attorney is ready for both. You do not have to face the family court system alone. Our Manhattan custody team protects your parental rights and your bond with your child.
Every family is different, so every case is too. Below are the child custody and visitation matters our Manhattan attorneys handle for parents across New York City and the surrounding area.
Building a strong record when one parent should hold primary rights.
Fair legal and physical custody plans both parents can follow.
Who decides on school, health care, and religion.
Where your child lives day to day.
Clear, workable schedules, including holidays.
Updating an order when life or jobs change.
Moving in or out of state with your child.
Fast help when a child is at risk.
Choosing the right Child Custody Lawyer in Manhattan can change the outcome of your case. Parents pick Collins Law Group, PLLC because we pair real courtroom skill with real care for your family. You get one focused plan, honest advice, and an attorney who treats your child’s future as the goal.
A track record built in New York courts, led by attorney Aoife Collins.
We know New York County Family Court, its judges, and how custody cases move here.
Plain answers, real timelines, and no false promises about your case.
We push for a fair deal and stand ready to fight in court.
You should know what comes next. Our child custody lawyers in NYC use a simple, four-step process so you feel informed and in control from the first call to the final order.
We listen to your story, review your goals, and explain your options.
We gather facts, records, and a parenting plan built for your child's best interests.
We settle when we can and file in Family Court when we must.
We advocate at each hearing and work toward a custody order that protects your bond.
Custody law raises a lot of questions. Below, our Manhattan custody attorneys answer the ones parents ask most. Need advice on your own case? Call for a free, private consultation.
Most Manhattan custody lawyers charge an hourly rate plus a retainer, and total cost depends on whether your case settles or goes to trial. Collins Law Group, PLLC offers a free first consultation, so you can learn your options and get a fee estimate before you commit.
New York has two kinds of custody: legal custody (the right to make major decisions) and physical custody (where the child lives). Each can be sole (one parent) or joint (shared). Many parents share legal custody while one has primary physical custody, with parenting time for the other.
Yes, sole custody is possible when it serves the child’s best interests — for example, when the other parent is absent, unsafe, or unable to co-parent. You must show the court clear reasons. A Manhattan custody attorney can help you gather the records and testimony a judge needs to grant sole custody.
No. New York law is gender-neutral. Judges do not favor mothers over fathers. Both parents start with an equal right to custody, and the court decides based only on the child’s best interests. Fathers can and do win sole or joint custody in New York City family courts.
Yes. New York lets a parent ask to change a custody order when there is a substantial change in circumstances — like a move, a job change, a safety concern, or the child’s changing needs. The court again applies the best-interests test. Our Manhattan attorneys handle custody modifications often.
Even for a friendly agreement, a Child Custody Lawyer in Manhattan makes sure your parenting plan is clear, fair, and enforceable, so it holds up if problems come later. A small investment now can prevent a costly fight down the road. We review and file agreements for New York City parents.
You love your child. We help you fight for them. As a trusted Child Custody Lawyer in Manhattan, Collins Law Group, PLLC gives New York City parents a clear plan and a strong advocate. Your first consultation is free and private.