CHILD CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS
New Jersey (NJ) Child Custody Arrangements Attorneys
When considering child custody plan options, it is important to first understand that child custody arrangements generally consists of two basic principles: where the child will live / spend time and decision making regarding the upbringing and raising of the child. There are different types of child custody arrangements available to you, which are detailed below. It is important to distinguish between the different types of child custody and learn the rights that you would be afforded with each option. This should help you choose the most appropriate child custody plan for you and your family.
At the New Jersey law offices of Weinberger Law Group, LLC, we are prepared to lessen the anxiety of the emotional, unfamiliar and often stressful situation you are confronted with when child related issues become intertwined within a relationship dissolution. Our divorce and family law attorneys will provide you with the education, tools and guidance necessary to make the most thoughtful decisions which are in the best interests of you and your family.
We will discuss with you all of your options regarding child custody plans including sole custody, shared custody and joint legal custody, which will be described in detail below . After a decision is made as to which custody option is most appropriate in your matter, our attorneys will assist in carefully crafting a sensible visitation and parenting time plan that is designed specifically for you and your family, while making sure to take into consideration various factors including work schedules, activities, travel, child care needs, extended family members, etc.
- Joint Legal Custody: This type of custody arrangement is the most widely used as it allows both parents to actively participate in their children's lives. Usually, one parent serves as the primary residential custodian for the children and the other parent serves as the alternate. While both parents are responsible for making joint decisions for the children on major issues such as health, education, and general welfare, the primary custodial parent tends to make day-to-day decisions with consultation or notification to the non-custodial parent, when appropriate. The parent who has the child in his or her care at any given time is expected to make appropriate decisions for the child and in the child’s best interest at that time.
- Sole Legal and Physical Custody: In this type of custody arrangement, one parent serves as the residential custodial parent. The residential custodial parent makes all of the major decisions regarding the children (health, education and welfare), as well as all day-to-day decisions for the children. The residential parent need not first obtain consent or give notice to the non-custodial parent before making any decisions on behalf of the children. Sole custody is regularly seen in cases where one parent is deemed to be absent or unfit or in cases where there is child neglect, drug addiction, cases where there have been substantiated DYFS matters, etc.
- Joint Physical Custody or Shared Custody: Many parents desire this shared custody arrangement because it is a more equal division of parenting time. An example of how it can be implemented is a schedule where one parent has one week with the children and the other parent has the next week with the children. Or, the parties can create a schedule where one parent has 4 days with the children to include overnights and the other parent has 3 days with the children to include overnights. There does not have to be a set rule as to exactly how the agreement will be carried out unless you specifically wish to fix a schedule. This type of arrangement can allow parents to have close to an equal amount of time with the children.
Whichever custody option you believe is right for you and your family; our NJ child custody attorneys are always available to protect your rights and your child’s welfare. Contact a New Jersey child custody attorney at Weinberger Law Group, LLC at 973-457-1244 today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.
