Under specific circumstances, family court can award custody of a child to a person who isn't their parent or even blood relative.
In a special episode of Family Matters dedicated to the vlog's law student audience, partner Joseph Trotti, head of Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP’s Matrimonial and Family Law Practice and founding partner of the VMM Family InstituteSM, explains the categories of extraordinary circumstance, how the court determines the best interest of the child, and discusses a significant recent case in which sole custody was awarded to a father's ex-girlfriend.
In a second topic, Mr. Trotti explains the enforceability of an estate provision in a divorce settlement, when a parent who agreed to bequeath part of their estate to their ex-wife and/or children later change their mind.