My name is Paul W.Matthews If you are dealing with a custody case or child support case in Staten Island, your matter will be heard at 18 Richmond Terrace, home of the Richmond County Family Court. As an affordable and experienced Staten Island custody and chiild support lawyer, I represent parents from Grasmere, Clifton, South Beach, Midland Beach, Dongan Hills, New Dorp, Great Kills, and surrounding communities. I also take Family Court custody child support cases in Manhattan and Brooklyn, supported by my second office at 90 Broad Street in Lower Manhattan.
Staten Island Family Court – What You Need to Know
Staten Island Family Court is located at:
18 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10301
This court handles all custody, visitation, child support, paternity, and order of protection matters. Compared to Manhattan or Brooklyn, Staten Island’s court is smaller and more streamlined. As a result:
- Cases often move faster
- Judges take a more direct, practical approach
- Temporary orders can have a major impact
- Each hearing matters — there is less “waiting around”
- Trial experience matters more because fewer judges handle more cases
I have tried close to a thousand cases in New York City courts. Staten Island Family Court is a place where focused strategy and preparation make a measurable difference.
Experienced Child Custody Lawyer in Staten Island
Your relationship with your child is one of the most important parts of your life. Staten Island custody cases often involve disagreements about:
- Legal custody (decision-making)
- Physical custody (where the child lives)
- Parenting schedules
- School choice
- Extracurricular activities
- Communication breakdowns
- Sudden changes in routine
How Staten Island Judges Decide Custody
Judges in Staten Island apply the same statewide “best interests of the child” standard ( in most situations) , but with local nuances:
- They often prefer structured parenting plans
- Stability, routine, and practicality are big factors
- Communication failures weigh heavily
- Parents are expected to cooperate
- Judges closely examine each parent’s role in the child’s daily life
In-Camera Interviews
It is common for judges to speak privately with children in a session known as an in-camera interview. I prepare parents for how these interviews work, what judges look for, and how they influence the final outcome.
High-Conflict Custody Cases
High-conflict custody matters are common in Staten Island. These include:
- Visitation interference
- False allegations
- Parental alienation behaviors
- Unilateral decision-making
- Disputes over therapy, schooling, or medical issues
These cases require an attorney with courtroom experience and the ability to handle complex, emotionally charged litigation.
Visitation & Parenting Time Disputes
Visitation disputes (“parenting time” issues) are among the most frequent family law problems in Staten Island. Even when parents agree on custody, visitation often becomes a major source of conflict.
Common Visitation Problems Include:
- Repeated missed or late pickups
- Sudden schedule changes
- Holiday or weekend scheduling conflicts
- One parent refusing to cooperate
- Disagreements about supervision
- Negative comments about the other parent
- Disputes caused by work or school schedules
I represent parents seeking to modify, enforce, or clarify visitation orders. Staten Island judges expect cooperation, but they will enforce orders when a parent repeatedly interferes.
Staten Island Child Support Lawyer
Child support is often more complicated than it first appears. Staten Island support cases are heard by Support Magistrates at the Family Court, and they involve:
- Initial support applications
- Modifications
- Enforcement
- Arrears
- Imputation of income
- College and extracurricular contributions
- Add-on expense disputes
How Support Is Calculated
Factors include:
- Each parent’s income
- Number of children
- Health insurance
- Childcare
- Extraordinary expenses
Courts sometimes “impute” income if a parent is under-reporting or voluntarily unemployed.
When You Can Modify Child Support
A modification may be granted in many situations if:
- Three years have passed
- Income has changed by 15% or more
- There has been a substantial change in circumstances
I handle support modifications and enforcement actions for parents across Staten Island.
Orders of Protection in Staten Island Family Court
Orders of protection (family offense petitions) are serious and require careful legal strategy. I represent clients in both:
- Applying for an order of protection
- Defending against false or exaggerated allegations
A temporary order can be issued immediately and may affect:
- Custody
- Visitation
- Access to your home
- Employment
- Reputation
- Future legal rights
Temporary vs. Final Orders
- Temporary orders often issue on the first court date
- Final orders can last up to 5 years
- Staten Island’s smaller court system means hearings happen faster
- Evidence and credibility are crucial
Defending Against False Allegations
F
alse or exaggerated claims often arise during custody or visitation disputes. These cases require:
- Precise cross-examination
- Clear factual presentation
- Careful strategy
- Knowledge of the court’s expectations
I bring more than 25 years of courtroom experience to these cases.
Appeals in Staten Island Family Law Cases
Not every case ends at Family Court. Many Staten Island decisions can be appealed to the Appellate Division, Second Department.
I have handled over 20 appellate cases, involving:
- Custody
- Visitation
- Orders of protection
- Child support
- Legal errors
- Misapplication of evidence
- Procedural mistakes
What an Appeal Requires
- Careful review of the record
- Identification of legal or factual errors
- Strong written advocacy
- A clear, strategic approach
If you believe your case was wrongly decided, I can evaluate whether an appeal is appropriate.
Areas of Staten Island Served
I represent parents from all Staten Island neighborhoods, including:
Grasmere, Clifton, Arrochar, South Beach, Midland Beach, Dongan Hills, Grant City, New Dorp, Oakwood, Great Kills, Eltingville, Annadale, Huguenot, Princes Bay, and Tottenville, as well as throughout the North Shore, Mid-Island, and South Shore.
Why Hire Me as Your Staten Island Family Lawyer?
- 25+ years of trial and appellate experience
- Hundreds of custody, visitation, support, and OOP cases tried
- Affordable legal representation
- You speak directly with the attorney, not staff
- Strong appellate background
- Clear, practical legal advice
- Focused on real courtroom preparation and realistic outcomes
My practice is intentionally focused on the family law matters I know best — cases involving children, parental rights, and court orders that impact a family’s daily life.
Free Consultation – Speak With Me Directly
If you have a Staten Island family law issue involving custody, visitation, child support, or an order of protection, you can call me directly. I answer my own phone and can help you understand your rights, the process, and your options.
You do not need to navigate this alone.
If you need help, call me — and we will talk.
Serving All Staten Island Neighborhoods
I represent parents and families across Staten Island, including Grasmere, Clifton, Stapleton, St. George, Tompkinsville, Dongan Hills, South Beach, Midland Beach, New Dorp, Oakwood, Great Kills, Eltingville, Annadale, Arden Heights, Huguenot, Prince’s Bay, and Tottenville. All Staten Island Family Court cases are heard at 18 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301.
About Paul W. Matthews, Esq.
Paul W. Matthews is an experienced Staten Island family law attorney with more than 25 years of trial experience in New York Family Courts. He has handled hundreds of cases involving child custody, visitation, paternity, child support, and Family Court orders of protection.
He represents clients throughout Staten Island from his office near Grasmere and also maintains a Manhattan office at 90 Broad Street in the Financial District for parents with matters in Manhattan or Brooklyn Family Court.
Paul personally answers his own phone and provides direct, individualized representation in every case. His practice emphasizes clear communication, practical strategy, and strong advocacy in custody, visitation, support, and parentage cases in the Staten Island Family Court at 18 Richmond Terrace.
Call Paul directly: (347) 461-0760
.