Child Custody Lawyer Serving Haddonfield, NJ

Joint custody is an arrangement where a child spends their time evenly between both parents. It often requires quite a bit of cooperation between parents.

Split custody is an option where one parent has primary custody over some children while the other parent has primary custody over the other children in the family. This is an uncommon arrangement.

What Other Factors Can Affect Child Custody?

Child custody can be a complex issue and a Court will look at many factors in determining custody, including:

• Any domestic violence between the parties.
• The stability of the home environment offered.
• The parents’ ability to co-parent.

A judge may consider the child’s wishes if the child is old enough to express a preference. If the child is too young to express those wishes, a judge will look to other factors to determine the custody arrangement.

Courts may also focus on direct caretaking responsibilities, including meal planning, health care arrangements, and bathing/grooming responsibilities. Depending on the child’s age, these responsibilities may shift or change.

What Are Parenting Time Rights?

Parenting Time is closely related to custody, and it is the schedule that parents follow. In New Jersey, the Courts aim for frequent and continuing contact by the children with both parents, assuming Parenting Time is in the children’s best interest.

Typically, Parenting Time is unsupervised. However, if there are concerns such as substance abuse, domestic violence, or other risks to the child, a judge may determine court-ordered supervision.