Barrie Goldstein has dedicated much of her career to working on behalf of the best interests of the children involved in the cases she handles. As a guardian ad litem and long-time defender of children and families, Ms. Goldstein has an extensive track record of doing what is best for the child in a wide array of matters, including child custody, visitation and child support disputes.
Child Custody and Visitation Arrangements
Attorney Barrie L. Goldstein represents clients in child custody and visitation disputes that arise during divorce proceedings or outside of divorce:
- Questions of jurisdictions (such as child custody cases that cross state lines)
- Custodial parent relocation ("move-away cases")
- Domestic abuse and orders for protection
- Issues involving children with special needs
Barrie recognizes the factors that courts at all levels consider in deciding child custody and visitation schedules, such as each parent's level of involvement in the child's life, the income and earning potential of each parent, their educational backgrounds, and their abilities to provide a healthy environment for the child.
She counsels clients battling over both aspects of child custody: physical custody (where the child resides) and legal custody (who has the authority to make major decisions concerning the child’s life). Barrie Goldstein’s years of experience as a Legal Aid attorney have given her great insight into how courts determine custody issues and how her clients can best present their case in a matter critical to the rest of their lives.
Child Support
Custody is often just half the battle for many parents. Barrie Goldstein tenaciously works on behalf of custodial newly-single parents seeking proper child support from their present or former spouse. She understands the key elements of the formula determined by state law to calculate child support payments:
- Income of each parent
- Number of children in the family
- Amount of parenting or visitation time each parent will actually have with the children
- Existing child support obligations from previous relationships
- Costs of extracurricular activities, daycare expenses, and health care premiums
In certain cases where determining the true income of a parent is problematic, Ms. Goldstein will, if necessary, call on her network of forensic accountants who can determine the true value of that parent’s assets and ensure that the child support calculations are accurate and fair.
Child Custody and Child Support Modifications
Child support and child custody orders are intended to be revised periodically as situations evolve. When circumstances change materially, either financially or as they relate to parenting responsibilities, Ms. Goldstein will go to court to modify the child support or custody order.
To learn more, call locally at 860-946-4855 or toll free at 866-604-3865, or contact us online.
