President Barack Obama has officially proclaimed Sept. 18 through Sept. 24, 2016 as Opioid Epidemic Awareness Week, a first ever awareness week to highlight prevention measures for the growing heroin and opioid crisis in the United States. According to White House officials, the week will be marked by Cabinet members and federal agencies coming together to educate the public about the epidemic that has spread to every corner of our nation, including New Jersey.
As a December 2015 article on NJ.com reported, “The statistics on New Jersey’s heroin crisis are staggering, and paint a picture of a crisis that spreads far beyond overdoses and deaths.” Since 2004, there have been 5,217 heroin-related deaths in New Jersey, and the heroin death rate in the state is more than three times the national average. And, there have been over 184,000 New Jerseyans admitted into treatment facilities for heroin or opioid abuse since 2010.
Many of those who are addicted are also parents. So what does this mean for child custody? Read more
Brangelina Divorce Shines Spotlight On Shared Vs. Sole Custody
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Given these two family-centric statements, what has struck some as interesting in Jolie’s filing papers is her request for sole physical custody of the couple’s six children. While Jolie has asked that Pitt have joint legal custody, she has clearly asked in her divorce filing that the children live with her for the majority of the time, and that Pitt have visitation or parenting time as it is most recently called, with their children.
Why would a parent ask for this for this particular arrangement? Read more
When Your Adult Child Is A Heroin Addict and Lives With You
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Addiction and Divorce: Even Brangelina?
The world today is in a bit of a state of shock over the news that one of Hollywood’s most famous couples, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, have split. The pair has been married for two years and romantic partners for more than a decade. During their time together, the couple welcomed six children, both both biological and adopted. They seemed to be a couple with true staying power. What went wrong? Read more
Grandparents: How Do You Get Custody Of Your Grandkids When Their Parents Are Addicts?
Who is often the only person capable of picking up the pieces when a child’s parents are addicted to heroin? A grandparent. Learn how more grandparents are taking custody of their grandchildren as a result of opioid and heroin addiction crisis facing families in New Jersey. Read more
Opioid Epidemic Awareness Week: How Can Addict Parents Get Help?
As a December 2015 article on NJ.com reported, “The statistics on New Jersey’s heroin crisis are staggering, and paint a picture of a crisis that spreads far beyond overdoses and deaths.” Since 2004, there have been 5,217 heroin-related deaths in New Jersey, and the heroin death rate in the state is more than three times the national average. And, there have been over 184,000 New Jerseyans admitted into treatment facilities for heroin or opioid abuse since 2010.
Many of those who are addicted are also parents. So what does this mean for child custody? Read more
Life After Divorce: Don’t Get Lonely, Get Out There!
Parenting Time After Addiction Recovery
Reconciling Your Marriage After Sex Addiction
Investigating Parent Addiction In Child Custody Disputes
In New Jersey, issues of custody and parenting time are evaluated by the courts looking at what is in the best interests of the child. If a parent brings an allegation of drug addiction to the court, this allegation is taken very seriously and the court will inquire as to the truth of the statement. To do this, judges can order certain evaluations, such as custody and parenting time evaluations or a risk assessment. Read more
3 Steps To Stepparent Custody
In child custody disputes, the courts will always put the best interests of children first in awarding parenting time and legal/physical custody. This usually means dividing a child’s time between their biological or adopted parents. But not always. What can happen when it’s a stepparent who is pursuing custody? Here is the story of one stepfather who gained custody of his stepdaughter and the steps he took to get it. Read more