Tag Archive for: child custody

New Jersey Divorce Chronicles, Part 6: What about the Kids?

Children Omitted in DivorceIn part 4 and part 5 of our series, we looked at two different approaches to commencing a divorce case. One of our subjects, Sharon, took an aggressive approach. The other, Jason, started things off in a more conciliatory manner. In the next couple of installments, we’ll see how the initial tone and first steps impact the child custody aspects of these two cases. Today, we’ll look at how Sharon is faring. In the next installment, we’ll look at Jason’s situation. Read more

Getting Divorced When You Have a Special Needs Child

iStock_000026294630XSmallWhen married couples with kids decide to divorce, child-related issues related to child custody, parenting time, and child support take center stage. New Jersey family law makes it clear that decisions made during divorce regarding children must put the “best interests of the child” first. Determining any child’s best interests can be a challenge. But when a couple’s divorce involves a child with a chronic illness, autism, physical or learning disability, or other special needs? Suddenly, determining “best interests” can easily become complicated.

If you are getting divorced and wondering how your child’s special needs will be addressed in custody and support determinations, here are three key pieces of information you don’t want to be without. Read more

Which NJ Child Custody Option Is Right For You?

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If you will need to determine child custody as part of your divorce, the number of child custody options available to New Jersey families may seem overwhelming. What exactly is the difference between joint, sole and shared custody? Should you ask for legal custody, physical custody, or both? What about visitation and parenting time?

In New Jersey, it’s the law that custody decisions must be made with the best interest of the child in mind. So what’s best for your child? Here are some factors to weigh in coming up with a custody plan that works for your family. Read more

Three Tips For Cutting Divorce Costs

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Not only can the end of a marriage be difficult emotionally, but if you are not careful, the process of divorce can also take a toll on your wallet. What can you do to keep divorce costs to a minimum? Here are three budget-friendly strategies to help you reach a settlement without breaking the bank. Read more

7 Steps to Successful Divorce Negotiations

business handshakeGetting a divorce often involves a great deal of negotiation, especially if you and your spouse have decided to mediate your divorce or use one of the other out-of-court divorce settlement methods available in New Jersey. New to negotiating? Here are seven divorce negotiation techniques to help you get what you really want from your divorce. Read more

Child Custody Battles: When to Fight & When to Forgive?

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When child custody needs to be settled in a couple’s divorce, it’s all too easy for the issue of how much time a child spends with each parent to turn into a battleground. Are tensions running high in your child custody matter? Not sure whether you should keep fighting or be willing to negotiate? Here are some tips for how to step back, reassess, and move forward on the path to resolution that’s best for you and your family. Read more

Fathers’ Rights: NJ Dads File Class Action Suit Against Family Court Judges

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A group of New Jersey fathers claiming they received unfair and unconstitutional treatment in child custody court proceedings has now moved forward with a class action suit against five Family Part judges. The justices preside in Mercer, Burlington, Essex, and Hudson counties. Read more

Wife Forbids Contact With Children After Husband’s Affair

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Luke and Karen have two young children. After discovering Luke was having an affair, Karen informed him that she would be filing for divorce and that he was to pack his bags and leave. Luke moved out, but specifically rented an apartment nearby so he could still be close to the kids. Once he was settled in, Luke called Karen and asked her if the children could spend the weekend with him. Karen told him in no uncertain terms that he was not worthy of seeing his children after what he did to her, and promptly hung up. Karen then refused to take any more of his calls or answer his texts.

Luke had no idea how to proceed or what his rights as a father were. He was aware that couples with children who divorce end up with a child custody order as part of their divorce decree. However, he and Karen were only separated, and it would be some time before their divorce even really began (Karen had yet to serve him with papers). What was he supposed to do in the meantime? Read more

Top Tips for Successful Halloween Co-Parenting

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This year October 31 falls on a Friday, which, as a newly separated or recently divorced parent, you may already be aware is the traditional day of the week when children switch homes for weekend visitation with their other parent. What does this mean for Halloween? No matter where your child spends it, here are some co-parenting tips for how to make trick-or-treating safe and fun for everyone. Read more

Why Can’t New Jersey Prenuptial Agreements Address Child Support/Custody?

Children having picnicToday’s blog post is part of our special series on prenuptial agreements and marriage running throughout the month of May. Please see previous posts in the series: 8 Common Items in Prenuptial Agreements and Are You Ready for the Legal Changes Marriage Brings? Check back soon for more!

On the first Tuesday of the month, we host a special Facebook Family Law chat inviting our WLG Facebook community members to ask their questions concerning divorce and related family law issues. During this month’s chat, we received a great question pertaining to prenuptial agreements and whether or not prenups in New Jersey can include language regarding child support and child custody for any children the soon-to-be spouses may have together. Read more