Child Support, Custody & Visitation Lawyer

Protecting Your Children, Your Parental Rights and Your Financial Interests

When parents separate or divorce, decisions involving their children are often the most important and difficult issues they face.

Child support, child custody, and visitation are closely connected, but each involves different legal rights and responsibilities.

At The Law Offices of Jeffrey N. Markowicz, I represent parents in child support, custody, and visitation matters throughout New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

I have more than 25 years of legal experience handling family law disputes involving parenting arrangements, financial support, high-conflict custody cases, relocation, domestic violence, and enforcement of existing court orders.

My goal is to help you understand how these issues fit together, protect your relationship with your children, and develop a strategy that works for your family.

Schedule a confidential consultation with me to discuss your child support, custody or visitation matter.

Child Custody

Child custody generally addresses two central questions:

1. Who has the authority to make important decisions for the child?
2. Where will the child live and how will parenting time be divided?

Custody matters may involve:

• Legal custody
• Physical custody
• Joint custody
• Sole custody
• Decision-making authority
• Parenting schedules
• Relocation
• Custody modifications
• Enforcement of existing orders
• High-conflict custody disputes
• Domestic violence concerns

Courts generally focus on the child’s best interests when resolving custody disputes.

Legal standards and terminology differ between New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, so jurisdiction-specific guidance matters.

I represent parents in both negotiated and contested custody matters and work to develop arrangements that protect parental rights while meeting the children’s needs.

Learn more about Child Custody Lawyer.

Child Support

Child support addresses parents’ financial responsibility for their children.

A child support case may involve:

• Establishing an initial support order
• Determining parental income
• Childcare expenses
• Health insurance
• Medical expenses
• Educational costs
• High-income child support
• Business-owner income
• Bonuses and commissions
• Modification of existing support
• Enforcement of unpaid support
• Child support arrears

New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland each use their own child support guidelines and formulas.

Income, parenting arrangements, childcare, healthcare, and other factors permitted under applicable law can affect the amount of support.

Cases involving business ownership, executive compensation, self-employment or substantial income often require a more detailed financial review.

I represent both parents seeking child support and parents responding to support requests.

Learn more about Child Support Lawyer.

Visitation & Parenting Time

Visitation, often called parenting time, concerns when a child spends time with a parent who does not have primary physical custody.

Parenting arrangements may address:

• Weekday parenting time
• Weekends
• Overnight visits
• Holidays
• Birthdays
• School vacations
• Summer schedules
• Pick-up and drop-off arrangements
• Transportation
• Telephone and video communication
• Domestic and international travel
• Supervised visitation
• Long-distance parenting time

A clear parenting schedule can help reduce conflict and provide consistency for children.

When parents cannot agree, the court may need to establish or modify the schedule based on the circumstances and applicable law.

I help parents negotiate practical parenting arrangements and represent clients when visitation disputes require court intervention.

Learn more about Visitation Lawyer.

How Child Custody, Child Support and Visitation Work Together

These three areas of family law often overlap, but you should not confuse them.

Child custody addresses legal decision-making and where a child lives.

Visitation or parenting time addresses when each parent spends time with the child.

Child support addresses financial responsibility for the child’s needs.

A change in one area can sometimes affect another.

For example, a major change in parenting time may affect the financial circumstances used in a child support calculation.

However, support and parenting rights are generally separate legal obligations.

A parent should not assume that unpaid child support automatically justifies withholding visitation, or that interference with parenting time automatically eliminates a support obligation.

When problems arise, the appropriate approach is usually to seek legal relief rather than ignore an existing court order.

Establishing Custody and Parenting Arrangements

Parents may establish custody and parenting arrangements through:

• Negotiation
• Mediation
• Parenting agreements
• Settlement
• Court proceedings

When parents can reach an agreement, they often have greater control over the details of their parenting arrangement.

A parenting plan may address:

• Legal decision-making
• The child’s primary residence
• Regular parenting schedules
• Holidays
• Summer vacations
• Transportation
• School decisions
• Medical decisions
• Extracurricular activities
• Travel
• Communication

When agreement is not possible, the court may need to decide the disputed issues.

I help clients evaluate whether negotiation, mediation or litigation is the most appropriate path based on the circumstances.

High-Conflict Custody and Parenting Disputes

Some parents can communicate effectively after separation.

Others face ongoing conflict involving nearly every parenting decision.

High-conflict disputes may involve:

• Repeated schedule disagreements
• Refusal to follow custody orders
• Denied parenting time
• Relocation
• School disagreements
• Medical disagreements
• Domestic violence
• Substance abuse
• Allegations of abuse or neglect
• Communication breakdown
• Repeated court filings

These cases require careful preparation and a clear understanding of the evidence.

My litigation experience allows me to pursue negotiated solutions when possible while remaining prepared to advocate for my clients in court when necessary.

Custody and Parenting Time Modifications

Family circumstances change.

An existing custody or visitation arrangement may no longer work because of:

• Relocation
• A new work schedule
• Changes in school
• Changes in the child’s needs
• Changes in parental involvement
• Safety concerns
• Repeated violations of the existing order
• Significant changes in circumstances

The legal requirements for modification vary by jurisdiction.

I represent parents seeking modifications as well as parents opposing requested changes.

Child Support Modifications

Child support orders can also become outdated when financial circumstances change.

A modification may be requested after:

• Job loss
• Significant increase in income
• Significant decrease in income
• New employment
• Changes in custody
• Changes in parenting time
• Changes in childcare costs
• Changes in health insurance
• Other qualifying financial changes

An existing child support order generally remains in effect until it is formally modified.

If your circumstances have changed substantially, address the issue rather than simply changing or stopping payments on your own.

Learn more about Child Support Lawyer.

Enforcement of Custody, Visitation and Child Support Orders

Court orders are intended to be followed.

Enforcement may become necessary when a parent:

• Denies parenting time
• Refuses to return a child
• Violates custody provisions
• Ignores holiday schedules
• Fails to pay child support
• Accumulates support arrears
• Repeatedly disregards the parenting plan

The appropriate legal remedy depends on the nature of the violation and the jurisdiction.

I can review the existing order, the history of noncompliance, and the available enforcement options.

Domestic Violence and Parenting Cases

Domestic violence can significantly affect custody, parenting time, and child-related court proceedings.

Depending on the circumstances, a court may consider:

• Protective orders
• Temporary custody
• Supervised visitation
• Neutral exchange locations
• Restrictions on contact
• Safety planning
• Other protective conditions

Domestic violence allegations must be taken seriously, particularly when children may be affected.

I represent clients in both domestic violence and family law matters and understand how protective-order proceedings can intersect with custody and visitation.

Learn more about Domestic Violence Lawyer.

Mediation for Custody, Support and Parenting Disputes

Not every family dispute must be resolved through litigation.

Mediation may help parents address issues involving:

• Custody
• Parenting schedules
• Holidays
• Child support
• Childcare
• Medical expenses
• Communication
• Transportation

When both parents can participate meaningfully and negotiate in good faith, mediation may provide greater flexibility and reduce unnecessary conflict.

Learn more about Mediation.

Parental Coordination for Ongoing Conflict

Some families continue to experience significant conflict even after a custody order or parenting agreement has been entered.

Parental or parenting coordination may help parents manage recurring disagreements involving:

• Scheduling
• Transportation
• Holidays
• Activities
• Communication
• Implementation of an existing parenting plan

Parenting coordination is not a substitute for the court’s authority over fundamental custody issues, but it may help reduce repeated disputes over day-to-day parenting matters.

Learn more about Parental Coordination.

Child Support, Custody & Visitation in New York

I have been licensed to practice law in New York since 2007 and represent parents in child support, custody, and visitation matters.

New York family law cases may involve:

• Legal and physical custody
• Parenting time
• Child support under the Child Support Standards Act
• Custody modifications
• Relocation
• Enforcement
• Domestic violence
• Parenting disputes

New York generally applies the child’s best interests when deciding custody and parenting matters.

Child support is calculated under a separate statutory framework that considers parental income and other relevant factors.

I help New York parents understand how these legal issues interact and develop a strategy based on their family’s circumstances.

Child Support, Custody & Visitation in Washington, D.C.

I have been licensed in the District of Columbia since 2001 and represent parents in family law matters throughout Washington, D.C.

D.C. cases may involve:

• Legal custody
• Physical custody
• Parenting time
• Child support
• Custody modification
• Domestic violence
• Relocation
• Enforcement

The D.C. courts focus on the child’s best interests when resolving custody disputes and apply separate child support guidelines when determining financial support.

Because D.C. families frequently have connections to neighboring Maryland, jurisdiction and enforcement issues can also become important.

Child Support, Custody & Visitation in Maryland

I have been licensed to practice law in Maryland since 1999 and represent parents throughout Maryland in custody, parenting time, and child support matters.

Maryland cases may involve:

• Legal custody
• Physical custody
• Parenting plans
• Child support
• Modification
• Enforcement
• Relocation
• Domestic violence
• High-conflict parenting disputes

Maryland requires parenting plans in custody cases involving minor children and uses statutory guidelines to calculate child support.

I help clients understand how these requirements apply to their family and how custody, parenting time and support issues may affect one another.

Parenting Cases Across Multiple Jurisdictions

Family law can become more complicated when parents live in different states.

For example:

• One parent lives in Washington, D.C. and the other lives in Maryland.
• A custody order was entered in New York, and a parent later relocated.
• A child attends school in one jurisdiction while a parent lives in another.
• A support order needs to be enforced across state lines.

These cases may involve questions concerning:

• Which court has jurisdiction
• Which custody order controls
• Where a modification should be filed
• Enforcement of out-of-state orders
• Relocation
• Interstate child support

Because I am licensed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, I can be particularly helpful when a family law matter crosses jurisdictional boundaries.

Why Choose Me for Child Support, Custody & Visitation Matters?

More Than 25 Years of Family Law Experience

I have practiced law since 1999 and have handled child custody, child support, visitation, divorce, domestic violence, and other family law matters throughout my career.

Licensed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland

I have been licensed in:

• Maryland since 1999
• Washington, D.C. since 2001
• New York since 2007

My multijurisdictional experience can be particularly valuable for families whose children, residences or financial circumstances cross state lines.

Extensive Litigation Experience

Some parenting disputes can be resolved through negotiation.

Others cannot.

My litigation background allows me to pursue practical settlements while remaining prepared to present evidence, examine witnesses, and advocate for my clients in court when necessary.

Direct Attorney Involvement

You work directly with me.

Family law decisions involving children and support can have consequences for years, so I take the time to understand your family, your concerns, and your priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support, Custody & Visitation

Is child custody the same as visitation?

No. Custody generally concerns decision-making authority and where the child lives. Visitation or parenting time concerns when a child spends time with a parent.

Does joint custody mean no child support?

No. Joint or shared custody does not automatically eliminate child support. Income and other factors may still require one parent to pay support.

Can custody affect child support?

It can. Parenting arrangements may affect child support calculations depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances.

Can I stop paying child support if visitation is denied?

Generally, child support and visitation are separate legal obligations. If parenting time is being denied, legal enforcement remedies may be available.

Can the other parent deny visitation because I owe child support?

Unpaid child support generally does not automatically authorize a parent to violate an existing custody or visitation order.

Can custody or visitation be changed later?

Potentially. Courts may modify existing arrangements when the applicable jurisdiction’s requirements are met.

Can child support be changed later?

Yes, in appropriate circumstances. A significant change in income, employment, parenting arrangements or other circumstances may support a request for modification.

Do custody cases always go to trial?

No. Many cases are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or settlement.

What happens if the other parent violates a custody order?

Enforcement remedies may be available. Document significant violations and obtain legal advice before responding in a way that could also violate the order.

Can domestic violence affect custody or visitation?

Yes. Courts may consider domestic violence and other safety concerns when determining custody and parenting arrangements.

Can parents create their own parenting plan?

Yes. Parents can often negotiate a parenting plan when they can reach an agreement. The agreement should be clear and consistent with applicable law.

Does Jeffrey Markowicz handle child support, custody, and visitation cases in New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland?

Yes. I represent parents in all three jurisdictions and have been licensed in Maryland since 1999, Washington, D.C., since 2001, and New York since 2007.

Speak With Me About Child Support, Custody & Visitation

Decisions involving your children can affect your family for years.

Whether you are establishing custody for the first time, negotiating a parenting schedule, dealing with child support, seeking modification or trying to enforce an existing order, understanding your legal options is essential.

I represent parents in child support, custody, and visitation matters throughout New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

I will work directly with you to understand your family, explain the applicable law, and develop a strategy focused on protecting your children, your parental rights, and your financial interests.

Explore My Child-Related Family Law Services

• Child Custody Lawyer
• Child Support Lawyer
• Visitation Lawyer

Schedule a Confidential Consultation

Washington, D.C. & Maryland: 202-972-2701
New York: 917-791-4157

Contact me today to discuss your child support, custody, or visitation matter.