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Child Custody Lawyers Rockland County

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

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Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

Child Custody Lawyers Serving Rockland County, NY

Discussions of child custody arrangements in divorce proceedings often involve decisions over legal and physical custody. One or both parents may then have sole or joint physical custody, as well as sole or joint legal custody. Any inquiry of whether both parents can have primary custody is incomplete without first understanding this terminology.

The family law attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. believe that the sometimes-confusing terminology used by family law courts to address child custody issues should not add to the stress of divorce proceedings. Accordingly, we strive to cut through the confusion when we counsel our clients on the details of custody arrangements.

Physical Custody is Distinct From Legal Custody

Physical custody refers to where a child will live when a divorce is finalized. If the child spends the majority of his or her time with one parent, that parent is deemed to have primary physical custody. On the other hand, legal custody refers to how the parents will make decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. Those decisions can include matters such as where the child will attend school, what religious traditions he or she will follow, and the type of medical services that he or she will receive.

Physical Custody May Be Sole, Primary, or Joint

When a child spends most or all of his or her time with one parent, that parent will be deemed to have sole or primary physical custody of the child. If the child divides his or her time between both parents, those parents have joint physical custody. Child custody arrangements in divorce proceedings will often designate the amount of time that each parent will have with the children. Because those times are specific to each divorce situation, there is no bright-line dividing line between primary physical custody and joint physical custody. From a physical custody perspective, it is unlikely that both parents will be deemed to be primary physical custodians.

Legal Custody is More Likely to Be Only Sole, or Joint

If both divorcing parents can demonstrate they are capable of making joint decisions for their children without acrimony, they may well have joint legal custody of the children. In this case, it may be valid to characterize the arrangement as one in which both parents have primary legal custody, even if only one parent has primary physical custody. If the parents have sharp, irreconcilable differences regarding critical decisions about the child’s upbringing, a family law court is more likely to award sole legal custody to one parent.

In All Cases, the Child’s Interests Are of Paramount Importance

Verification and approval of all physical and legal custody decisions will always be a function of the custody arrangement that is in the best interests of the child. If the divorcing parents are unable to agree or the court senses a high degree of discord between the parents, it may appoint separate independent legal counsel, known as a guardian ad litem, to represent the child’s interests. The guardian’s report will then help the court to decide the most appropriate physical and legal custody arrangements for a child.

Contact Custody Lawyers Rockland County Trusts

Parents going through a divorce will inevitably want to ease the difficulty of the process for their children. They can accomplish this goal by making well-informed, intelligent physical and legal child custody arrangements.

Choose the custody lawyers Bergen County, NJ, relies on. The divorce lawyers at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., provide sensitive and professional legal counsel to married individuals in Rockland County, New York, and Bergen County, New Jersey who wish to make the best decisions for their children during divorce proceedings. Whether you are only beginning to contemplate a divorce or have already decided to begin divorce proceedings, we can provide the private and confidential legal counsel you need to make the right decisions for yourself and your children. Please call our New York or New Jersey offices to schedule a consultation today with child custody lawyers that Bergen County, NJ, residents have relied on for decades to represent their rights.

Additional Resources:

divorcenet.com: Differences Between Legal and Physical Child Custody. https://www.divorcenet.com/resources/divorce/divorce-and-children/legal-and-physical-custody-children
verywellfamily.com: Understanding Joint Legal Custody. https://www.verywellfamily.com/overview-of-joint-legal-custody-2997666

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   LWelsh 
 8 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 29 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 93 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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   Jana Montero 
 96 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 102 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 108 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
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   Brandy Miller 
 131 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 144 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 151 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 154 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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