Once a parent has been awarded full custody in New York, it might be tempting to assume that they'll have full custody forever. However, a parent can lose custody if the court has reason to believe that the parent has been mistreating their child. Here are some of the common reasons why parents lose custody.

What are some of the most common reasons that parents lose custody?

If the court finds out that a parent is abusing their child, it's highly likely that they'll lose their child custody rights. Physical abuse is one of the most common forms of abuse, but emotional or sexual abuse can also cause a parent to lose custody of their children. They can also lose custody if they're allowing another person in the household to abuse their child, even if they're not committing the abuse themselves.

Certain forms of physical discipline can be viewed as abuse. As a result, parents should avoid resorting to physical discipline. It might seem harmless to them, but that doesn't mean that it's harmless to the child.

Substance abuse can also cause a parent to lose custody of their child. While this might not seem like a direct form of abuse, parents who are preoccupied with their addiction are typically not dedicating their lives to their child. They might be neglecting their child or forcing them to live in unsafe conditions. As a result, custody might be awarded to the other parent or another family member.

How can an attorney help you with child custody?

An attorney may be able to help you fight for child custody and visitation rights. If you lose custody, your attorney might be able to help you argue your case in court and make adjustments so that you can regain custody of your child.