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How Maureen A. McCready Attorney at Law Assists Families in the Buffalo, NY Area

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:24:21 GMT

When legal matters involve family, whether through divorce, custody, estate planning, or separation, having a compassionate and experienced lawyer can make a significant difference. For families throughout Buffalo, NY and the surrounding Western New York area, Maureen A. McCready Attorney at Law offers legal services tailored to the unique challenges of family law. With decades of experience, she guides clients through difficult transitions while offering support, clarity, and thoughtful legal advice.

Family Law & Divorce: A Compassionate Approach

As a seasoned divorce attorney and family lawyer , Maureen McCready helps individuals and couples in the Buffalo area navigate the often emotionally challenging process of separation and divorce. Her services cover the full spectrum, from informal separation to contested divorce. She assists with equitable distribution of property, debt allocation, and spousal support or maintenance, ensuring that clients understand their rights and responsibilities under New York law. For couples seeking alternatives to a contested divorce, she can play a role in mediation, helping parties reach amicable resolutions while minimizing conflict and expense. In marriages where couples wish to protect pre-marital assets or clarify financial expectations, she also handles prenuptial agreements , giving couples a structured, legally sound foundation for their marriage.

Child Custody & Parenting: Prioritizing Stability and Best Interests

One of the most sensitive aspects of divorce or separation involves children. Maureen A. McCready Attorney at Law serves as a child custody lawyer , advocating for arrangements that support a stable, safe, and nurturing environment for children. Whether parents are negotiating custody and visitation agreements or heading into court, she helps craft proposals geared toward the child’s best interests. She recognizes that each family is unique and works to tailor custody and parenting plans accordingly, sometimes through negotiation, other times via contested proceedings or appeals if needed.

Legal Separation & Mediation: Alternatives to Courtroom Conflict

For some couples, a full divorce may not be the immediate goal, but they still need structure and legal clarity. Maureen McCready offers services related to legal separation, drafting agreements that outline financial responsibilities, support, custody, and living arrangements. When litigation isn’t the best fit, her experience as a mediation lawyer can be especially valuable. Through mediation, clients can often reach mutually acceptable solutions with less stress and fewer costs than traditional divorce proceedings.

Estate Planning, Wills & Probate: Protecting Your Future

Beyond divorce and custody matters, Maureen McCready serves as an estate planning lawyer and probate attorney . For individuals and families in Buffalo, she helps prepare wills, establish trusts, designate powers of attorney, and create advance healthcare directives. Her goal is to offer legal advice that helps ensure clients’ wishes are respected, assets are protected, and loved ones are provided for. If needed, she can also guide clients and their families through the probate process, helping settle estates efficiently and with sensitivity.

Why Choose a Long-Standing Female Lawyer in Buffalo

Maureen A. McCready Attorney at Law has been serving Buffalo and Western New York families since 1973, bringing decades of legal knowledge and community roots to her practice. Her role as a female lawyer in areas like family law, custody, estate planning, and mediation offers a compassionate and empathetic perspective, which many clients find comforting during stressful life transitions. If you contact Maureen McCready’s office, you’ll receive personalized legal advice tailored to your situation. Expect a lawyer who listens to your concerns, explains your options clearly, and helps you navigate the complexities of law with compassion and professionalism. That guidance can make a difficult journey more manageable.

When to Seek Legal Advice for Estate Planning

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:38:25 GMT

Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy or elderly. Life changes happen unexpectedly, and having a solid estate plan protects your assets and ensures that your wishes are honored. Many people attempt to handle estate planning on their own, only to discover later that their documents don't achieve their intended goals or fail to address important legal requirements. This is why it’s beneficial to seek legal advice.

Understanding the right time to seek professional legal advice for estate planning can save you time, money, and ensure that your loved ones are properly protected. Whether you're just starting to think about estate planning or need to update existing documents, recognizing these key situations will help you make informed decisions about when professional guidance is essential.

Major Life Changes Require Updated Estate Planning

Significant life events often trigger the need for new or revised estate planning documents. Marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, and the death of beneficiaries all create situations where your current estate plan may no longer reflect your wishes or circumstances.

When you get married, you'll want to update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and investment accounts. You may also need to revise your will to include your spouse and consider how this affects previous arrangements. Divorce requires even more extensive changes, as most states have laws that automatically revoke bequests to former spouses, but other aspects of your estate plan may still need attention.

The arrival of children or grandchildren presents opportunities to establish trusts, update guardianship provisions, and ensure adequate life insurance coverage. These changes often involve complex decisions about how to structure inheritance to protect young beneficiaries while providing for their needs.

Complex Family Situations Need Professional Guidance

Blended families, estranged relatives, and family members with special needs create estate planning challenges that require careful legal consideration. These situations involve navigating competing interests and ensuring that your estate plan achieves your specific goals without unintended consequences.

If you have children from previous relationships, stepchildren, or adopted children, you'll need to clearly define how your assets should be distributed. State laws vary regarding inheritance rights for stepchildren and adopted children, making professional advice crucial for ensuring that your intentions are legally recognized.

Family members with disabilities may benefit from special needs trusts that preserve their eligibility for government benefits while providing additional support. These trusts have strict legal requirements that must be followed precisely to achieve their intended purpose.

Business Ownership Requires Specialized Estate Planning

Business owners face unique estate planning challenges that go beyond personal asset protection. The structure of your business, partnership agreements, and succession planning all influence how your business interests should be addressed in your estate plan.

If you own a business with partners, you'll need to coordinate your estate plan with existing buy-sell agreements and partnership documents. These arrangements often include provisions for what happens to your business interest upon death or disability, and your estate plan must align with these contractual obligations.

Business succession planning involves complex tax considerations and may require specialized structures like grantor retained annuity trusts or installment sales to family members. The timing of these strategies and their integration with your overall estate plan requires professional guidance to ensure optimal results.

Substantial Assets Bring Tax Implications

While federal estate tax only affects a small percentage of estates due to high exemption amounts, many states have their own estate or inheritance taxes with lower thresholds. If your estate approaches or exceeds these limits, professional tax planning becomes essential.

High-value estates may benefit from advanced planning techniques like charitable remainder trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, or family limited partnerships. These strategies require careful implementation and ongoing management to achieve their intended tax benefits while complying with complex regulatory requirements.

Even if your estate falls below tax thresholds, substantial assets may create administrative challenges for your beneficiaries. Professional guidance can help structure your estate plan to minimize probate costs and simplify the administration process.

Choosing the Right Time to Act

Estate planning works most effectively when implemented before you need it. Waiting until a health crisis or family emergency forces action often limits your options and may result in less favorable outcomes.

The ideal time to seek legal advice is when you can think clearly about your goals and have time to implement comprehensive strategies. This allows you to explore various options, understand the implications of different approaches, and make informed decisions about your estate plan.

Regular reviews of your estate plan, even when no major changes have occurred, help ensure that your documents remain current with changing laws and continue to reflect your wishes. Many attorneys recommend reviewing estate plans every three to five years or after significant life events.

How Maureen A. McCready Attorney at Law Provides Estate Planning Legal Advice

Maureen A. McCready Attorney at Law is an estate planning lawyer offering comprehensive estate planning services throughout Buffalo , Boston , Clarence , East Aurora , Elma , Hamburg , Lancaster , Marilla , Olean , Orchard Park , West Seneca , and the surrounding areas of Western New York. Our firm focuses on creating personalized estate plans that address each client's unique circumstances and goals. We provide guidance on wills, trusts, probate matters, and comprehensive estate planning strategies. Whether you need to create your first estate plan, update existing documents, or navigate probate proceedings, our firm offers structured legal advice tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

Estate Planning Tips in Buffalo, NY

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 15:39:20 GMT

Planning your estate is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family, your assets, and your legacy. For residents of Buffalo, NY, understanding specific aspects of estate planning, including local laws and common considerations, is crucial for ensuring your wishes are clearly documented and legally enforceable. This guide will walk you through essential estate planning tips tailored for the Buffalo, NY area, including what to consider when creating your plan and how to get professional help.

Why Estate Planning Matters in Buffalo, NY

Many people mistakenly believe that estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy or elderly. The truth is, everyone benefits from having an estate plan in place. Whether you own a home in Buffalo, have a growing family, or simply want to ensure your medical decisions are honored if you’re unable to communicate, estate planning helps to provide peace of mind. With New York state laws governing wills, healthcare proxies, and the probate process, it’s also vital to ensure your documents meet all legal requirements. Without proper planning, your assets may not be transferred according to your wishes, and legal complications could arise.

Key Estate Planning Tips for Buffalo, NY Residents

1. Start with a Legally Valid Will

A will is the foundation of any estate plan. It specifies who will inherit your assets, who will act as guardian for your children, and who will look over the distribution of your estate. Why it’s critical in Buffalo, NY is because New York State law dictates how assets are distributed if you pass without a will. This process, called intestacy, may not align with your personal wishes and could lead to family disputes.

2. Consider Trusts for Greater Control and Efficiency

Trusts are powerful tools that allow you to manage and distribute your assets while avoiding certain legal processes like probate. Types of trusts to consider:

Revocable Living Trusts - These can be changed or canceled during your lifetime and allow assets to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate.
Irrevocable Trusts - These provide more robust asset protection and may help reduce estate taxes. Once created, these trusts typically cannot be altered.

3. Plan for Medical and Financial Decisions

Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you pass. It also ensures your preferences are honored if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself. Here are some examples to consider:

Healthcare Proxy - Appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Living Will - Outline your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care.
Power of Attorney (POA) - Appoint an individual to handle your financial and legal matters if you become incapacitated.

4. Address Tax Implications

New York State imposes an estate tax on estates valued above the exclusion threshold. Planning ahead can help reduce this burden for your heirs. Consider creating trusts to shelter assets, making lifetime gifts to reduce the value of your taxable estate, and consulting with a professional for strategies tailored to your financial situation.

5. Regularly Update Your Estate Plan

Life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the purchase of a new home in Buffalo can drastically alter your financial and legal landscape. Review your estate plan every few years or after major life changes to ensure it still reflects your wishes.

How Our Buffalo, NY Estate Planning Lawyer Can Help

Navigating estate planning laws, tax regulations, and legal documentation can be complex. Partnering with an experienced estate planning attorney ensures your plan is both effective and legally binding. Maureen A. McCready Attorney at Law has served the Buffalo, NY community since 1973, helping residents secure their futures by assisting with drafting wills and trusts, creating powers of attorney and healthcare proxies, probate and estate administration, estate tax planning, asset protection strategies, and more. Maureen A. McCready takes a personalized approach to estate planning, tailoring her services to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to update an existing plan, contact us to work with a knowledgeable attorney!

The Benefits of Hiring a Family Lawyer

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 14:46:15 GMT

Going through a separation or divorce can be incredibly stressful on a number of levels, especially if the relationship is souring. Couples have many options when it comes to navigating their disputes, but in most cases you will have the most successful outcome if you hire a family lawyer. Even if you feel that you negotiate very well with your spouse, there are many benefits that come with having professional assistance. Let’s discuss just a few of the reasons that hiring a family lawyer can benefit you.

Experienced Representation

Divorce, child custody, and other family law matters can be difficult to navigate due to the often complex rules and laws that can apply to different situations. When you work with an experienced family lawyer, you can trust that you have a seasoned professional on your side. From properly filling out your paperwork to answering all your questions, having a family lawyer on your side can be an incredible asset. You’ll be able to set yourself up for success, approach the situation with more confidence, and make informed decisions based on measured, seasoned advice.

Fair Dealings

It takes work, dedication, and experience to achieve success as a family lawyer. When you work with a seasoned professional, you’ll know that you’re working with someone who has seen it all before. This experience will help your attorney approach your case with a clear-cut strategy and a fair assessment of what you deserve. While there are never guarantees in any legal proceeding, data shows that individuals who retain a family lawyer tend to feel more fairly represented, are able to keep private matters to themselves, and enjoy more successful outcomes than those who negotiate on their own behalf.

Negotiation Assistance

Negotiating can be difficult in any situation, but it’s even harder when there are intense emotions at play. This is unfortunately often the situation when dealing with matters of family law. Hiring a family lawyer can be incredibly beneficial in such cases. While you might not be able to remain neutral, an attorney can. With experienced assistance, you can make better decisions that serve everyone’s best interests. In turn, you can feel confident about the actions you take because you’ll know the decisions you’re making won’t be fueled by raw emotion.

Emotional Support

While your family lawyer will be able to keep a level head during negotiations, we also understand that you’re going through a difficult time and will be able to provide support as you grapple with the process. Two of the most important qualities that anyone in this field can have is strong awareness and excellent social skills. While we won’t make hard decisions for you, we’ll be there to help you make them and provide experienced advice so you can be sure you’re doing the right thing for everyone involved.

Peace of Mind

Family law matters can be particularly confusing and stressful, as by definition they affect your life in more personal ways than other areas of law might. Having a sensitive and knowledgeable family lawyer on your side can minimize legal headaches and put your mind at ease as your case progresses. It’s impossible to overstate the value that peace of mind can bring, but rest assured that you will appreciate the help when you need it most.

If you need assistance with a matter of family law in the greater Buffalo, NY area, contact the office of Maureen A. McCready. Our office offers sensible solutions from a knowledgeable, experienced professional. We will be here to help you navigate some of life’s most difficult moments. Call today to schedule a consultation.

Circumstances When a Parent Can Obtain Full Child Custody Rights

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 12:18:50 GMT

Explore the Scenarios Where a Parent Can Obtain Full Child Custody

In New York, the courts believe that as long as both parents are safe and competent the child should have both of their parents in their lives, which is why joint custody is typically the verdict. However, child custody cases can get a bit tricky to navigate due to the need to consider things like the emotional and mental well-being of the child. Any parent who is navigating a family law case should hire a child custody lawyer for assistance. A judge typically saves giving sole custody to one parent for extreme or dangerous situations such as abuse. Here are a few cases when full child custody rights may be granted to one parent by the courts.

Deliberate alienation - If one parent has been withholding their child from seeing their other parent, then the courts are more likely to rule in favor of the parent who wasn’t able to see their child often. Deliberate alienation accusations are never a good look for a parent to have during a child custody hearing, especially if there is any evidence that it has been happening for a long time. A great way to ensure you have proper evidence in this situation is to hire a child custody lawyer before your court date.

Violence - Any history of violence from a mother or father will result in some serious consequences during a child custody hearing. Violence is usually an immediate disqualification for a parent to have any joint custody rights because the courts will be looking out for the safety of the child and the ex-spouse, girlfriend, or boyfriend. Hiring a child custody lawyer will help you build a solid case with evidence that your partner has been violent in the past.

Substance abuse - Substance abuse disqualifies a parent from receiving child custody rights because granting them access to their child puts the child at high risk of being exposed to dangerous substances and situations. A parent that has been getting help or has been clean may get visitation, but typically nothing more than that with their child.

Instability due to mental health - Being unstable due to mental health is an illness and the courts treat it as such. Most parents who struggle with severe mental health issues cannot provide proper care for their children, so the courts may choose to grant full child custody rights to the parent who doesn’t struggle with mental health issues.

Lack of involvement - If one parent has shown little to no interest in their child’s life, chances are the courts will have no problem granting the opposing parent full child custody rights. This could be one parent not helping with pick-ups and drop-offs, not showing up to their child’s events, or moving far away from their child. It’s important to have a child custody lawyer by your side to help you gather the evidence needed to show a lack of involvement to the judge in court.

Financial stability - It’s important that any parent receiving full or partial child custody rights has the financial stability to provide for their child. Unfortunately, if one parent can’t provide for their child, they may only get visitation rights with their child.

Contact Maureen A. McCready with any questions you have about child custody rights or to schedule an initial consultation.

When is a Prenuptial Agreement Used?

Thu, 25 May 2023 10:50:52 GMT

Learn More About Prenuptial Agreements in the Buffalo, NY Region

A prenuptial agreement is an agreement that a couple comes up with before marriage that outlines their finances. A prenuptial agreement summarizes what will happen to property, assets, income, and debt if the marriage ends. Here are some protections that a couple getting a prenup should put into place:

Children from a prior relationship - A child that was brought into the world before marriage, in a previous relationship, is only the responsibility of the biological parent. This is important to include in the prenuptial agreement because some spouses may try to get child support from their spouse for a child that isn’t theirs.
One of you is a stay-at-home parent - It happens all too often that a stay-at-home mom or dad is left with nothing after a divorce. A prenuptial agreement will ensure that a stay-at-home parent gets money, so they can get an apartment and any other essentials until they find a job.
Significant assets - Some people are left very valuable assets by family or close friends. Assets can be in the form of a lump sum of money, jewelry, a car, a house, or even a business. Prenuptial agreements can put protections in place to protect assets that either party has inherited.
One of you owns a business - It’s very important to state who the owner of the business is in a prenuptial agreement because no one wants to go to court to fight for something that is theirs. A prenup will save you the headache of fighting for your business, should you and your partner get divorced.
Debt - It’s not uncommon for people to have some sort of debt from college, but sometimes people have credit card debt which can take a while to pay off. A prenuptial agreement will outline who has debt and what it is to protect the spouse with no debt from getting stuck paying off debt that isn’t theirs later.

When Should I Get a Divorce Attorney?

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 14:09:01 GMT

Going through a divorce is never easy, and the thought of needing a lawyer could make it even worse. As soon as divorce becomes an option your first thought may be to contact a divorce lawyer, but it is important to know that not every situation needs a lawyer. If you are able to talk to your spouse about legal issues such as child custody for minor children, child support, alimony, or division of property, you may not need a lawyer's help at all. On the other hand, there are some instances where hiring a divorce lawyer makes sense such as:

There’s a problem with abuse
You think your spouse is lying about certain issues
Your spouse has retained an attorney
Your divorce involves young children or complicated financial issues

If you find that you just need legal advice, keep in mind that just because you have a lawyer doesn’t mean that you are getting a divorce, but you are getting information so you can be prepared and knowledgeable. If the divorce or separation does end up happening, the information you received at your consultation can help you be prepared. If you do decide you need a divorce attorney, it is crucial you take your time and look for an experienced and well-rounded lawyer. When you have a consultation be sure to ask questions so you know that your best interest is in mind. While you are experiencing marital problems, never give your spouse the benefit of the doubt.

Contact Us Today

Maureen A McCreedy Attorney At Law is your local female lawyer serving Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas since 1973. As stated before, if you are in need of a family lawyer, it is essential you do your research and find one that you can trust. Maureen A McCreedy is ready to fight for you and navigate through any issues you may have. We have experience handling even the toughest divorce cases. If you need legal advice or are ready to take the next step, give us a call today for more information. We are here to help you.

How is Child Custody Determined in New York State?

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 16:53:20 GMT

Explore Current Child Custody Laws in Buffalo, NY & Beyond

To put it in the simplest of terms, a family court in New York State will always try to make decisions that are in the best interests of the child or children in question. There are four main types of custody in New York, which are the following:

Joint Custody - this is the most common scenario in New York, and is where both parents share custody while following a schedule determined by the court

Sole Custody - as the name implies, this is where only one parent has custody of the child

Legal Custody - this can involve one or both parents (sometimes the court will grant one final authority) making decisions about the child’s education, medical needs, religion, etc.

Physical Custody - the parent with whom the child primarily resides is said to have this, but the other parent may have visitation rights

Whether or not the parents were married plays an important role in determining custody. Other factors considered include where and how long the child has lived with a parent, any special needs of the child, any domestic violence that occurred, the home environment of each parent, and the work schedule of each parent, among many more. Typically, a court will not decide custody on just one of these factors. Rather, they will look at the entire situation before making a decision.

When it comes to the preferences of the child, while there is no “minimum age” for a court to take the preference into consideration, the weight of an older child’s preference will usually carry more weight. As one example, if the child has been living with one parent since a separation or divorce, the court will more often than not grant primary custody to that parent, so as not to disturb the child’s home environment.

Maureen A McCready is an experienced child custody lawyer serving Western New York. Not only can she answer your questions about the process, but she can also provide strong representation if the case goes to court, making sure your rights under the law are protected. Don’t fight that custody battle alone. Call Maureen A McCready today to schedule a consultation for your case.

Do Grandparents Get Visitation Rights in NYS?

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 16:46:58 GMT

Will a Divorce or Separation Interfere With Your Relationship With Your Grandchild?

Life-altering changes can often impact the grandparent-grandchild relationship, especially if there are factors that limit your time together. In order to preserve your relationship with your grandchild, you may have to file a petition and request court-ordered visitation rights.

In New York State, courts can grant visitation under certain circumstances:

If one or both parents die.
If the child has a substantial existing relationship with their grandparent.
If the child's parents have interfered when the child attempted to establish or maintain a relationship with their grandparent.

The court system needs to make sure the proposed visits are in the child's best interests, and require specific documentation and sufficient evidence to grant visitation rights to the grandparents.

First, you must establish legal grounds for your visitation request. If both parents are deceased, the decision is automatic. If one or both parents are living, an existing relationship needs to be proven. If the child's parent(s) have prevented you from establishing a relationship with your grandchild, you must provide proof.

Once you have confirmed legal grounds, you must provide proof that spending time with your grandchild is in their best interest. Factors that are considered include:

The child's age and wishes
The mental and physical health of everyone involved
Your past and current relationship with your grandchild and their parents
The distance between the child's primary residence and where the visits would potentially occur
Your nurturing ability
Your attitude towards each parent

A court appointed attorney will represent the child's interests, presenting their wishes and speaking on their behalf. If you are in need of a family lawyer to assist in the process and protect your rights, please do not hesitate to contact Maureen A. McCready Attorney at Law today. We have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the process and provide you with support during this difficult time.

Wills and Probate FAQ

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:18:04 GMT

Some Answers to Commonly Asked Questions Surrounding Wills and Probate

What is a Last Will and Testament?

- A Last Will and Testament is written documents that provide distribution of your property (estate) upon death.

Do I need a Will?

- A will is beneficial if you want to ensure the right people receive the property you want them to have, or you want to make sure the appropriate person is appointed your estate, it would be in your interest to want a will.

How often do I need to update/change my Will?

- Your Will should be reviewed by an attorney and updated at any time there is a change in your financial standing or a change in your personal life. Occurrences such as divorce, marriage, a death involving a beneficiary, or even moving to a different state can significantly change a Will. Every 5 years is a good timetable to have to ensure that your will is consistent with any laws and desires.

What are the requirements for making a Will?

- A will must be in writing

- The will maker must be at least 18 years of age

- The will must be signed by the testator

- The will must be signed by at least two witnesses who will not receive anything from the will

- The will maker must have the mental competency to execute a will at the time it was signed and witnessed.

What if a Person Dies Without A Will?

- If there is no will for someone who passes, the court will appoint a personal representative to manage the estate. Each state has its own formula for appointing what close relatives receive.

Who is an executor?

- An executor is a person appointed in your Will who is responsible for carrying out the terms. There will be alternatives in the case of the primary executor being unwilling to serve.

Is all of my property controlled by my Will?

- There are certain assets that fall outside of your Will, called non-probate assets. Some of these assets may include retirement benefits, bank accounts, and life insurance proceeds.

What is Probate?

- Probate is a court-supervised process for gathering assets of a deceased person, paying off the decedent's debts, and distributing their assets to his or her beneficiaries. The decedent's assets are used to pay the cost of the probate proceeding, then are used to pay the outstanding debts that the decedent has, with the remaining being distributed to the beneficiaries of the decedent.

Why must an estate go through Probate?

- The state makes sure that the estate will pay off all of its debts and tax obligations, as well as making sure the property goes to the correct recipients. By default, estates will go through probate. There are state by state cases in which you have different options in bypassing probate, which can be streamlined for smaller estates.

How does the Probate process work?

- The executor will file papers to the local probate court. From there, the executor will prove validity of the will and present the court with the proper documentation regarding your property, debts, and who will inherit remaining assets. The process commonly takes a few months to a year to be completed.

Should I plan to avoid Probate?

- Probate does not help your beneficiaries much, in which it always ends up costing more time and money than anticipated. Probate makes the most sense when you have a complicated estate, potentially from debts that are not easily payable from the property you leave.

Benefits of Joint Physical Custody: Raising a child apart, together

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 15:35:29 GMT

When seeking a separation or divorce, many issues such as dividing assets and funds can become a complicated process; but none more complicated than the question of who will receive custody of a child. Therefore, choosing the right attorney to help determine what is best for the future of your family is crucial. At Maureen A. McCready, our focus is on providing an outline for our clients towards safety, stability, and a positive future of the child. With years of experience in family law and child custody , let the professional attorneys at Maureen A. McCready help you today!

What is Joint Custody?

Joint physical custody is the legal situation where the child spends equal or close to equal amount of time with both parents. Each parent will have equal legal and custodial rights, as well as the right to physically live with the child. While joint physical custody is not right for every child custody case, few states prefer to award sole custody to one parent unless there are other factors at play. Here are some benefits of joint custody to consider:

The child is able to grow up with the influence of both parents, providing a better relationship with both, and equal parental role models.
Shared custody requires more frequent interaction and joint decision making between parents, which encourages positive communication between parties.
Joint decision making and shared physical custody reduces stress and financial responsibility on a sole parent and affects issues such as child support.
Less disruption in the child’s routine leads to better performance in school and less emotional and conduct issues.

While this method of child custody is not right for every case, it is an important issue to consider when seeking representation. Trust Maureen A. McCready to help you answer questions regarding family law and what is best for your child. Contact Maureen A. McCready today for a consultation to discuss if joint custody is right for your case!