Father’s Rights: Which Custody Arrangement Should I Request?

father's rightsNew Jersey laws with respect to custody and parenting time are gender neutral, meaning that the courts cannot base decisions regarding custody of or parenting time with your children based upon gender. Long ago, many states subscribed to the now defunct “tender years” doctrine where courts would give custody of very young children to mothers, believing that this was necessary to ensure the emotional well-being and positive psychological development of the child. Today, courts, experts and lawmakers know that a child thrives best with the participation of both parents to the greatest degree possible. And, with more and more same-sex couples rearing children, any gender argument is moot.

What does this mean for you, as a dad? Here are some do’s and don’ts as you pursue custody and parenting time with your kids: Read more

Co-Parenting in New Jersey: Can It Be Done?

pitt jolie co-parenting

Image copyright Jean_Nelson, Depositphoto.com

Even the most famous of couples who are divorcing are not immune to battles regarding their kids, custody, parenting time and child support. This week, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from her husband of two years, Brad Pitt. The couple has been together for nearly a decade and have six children; three adopted and three born to the couple. What steps can the pair take to establish a positive co-parenting relationship — and how might these tips translate to parents in New Jersey? Read more

When Your Adult Child Is A Heroin Addict and Lives With You

adult child heroin addictionWhat are the repercussions for allowing your adult child with an opioid or heroin addiction live with you when you have minor children still in the home?
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Grandparents: How Do You Get Custody Of Your Grandkids When Their Parents Are Addicts?

grandparent rights

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?

Thoughtful manPresident 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

Parenting Time After Addiction Recovery

addiction recoveryWithout question, addiction is devastating, not only on the person suffering with the addiction, but also their friends and family. And, it cannot be argued that those hurt most profoundly are the children of the addicted. Read more

Investigating Parent Addiction In Child Custody Disputes

legal help for child abuse
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

co-parenting after divorce

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

Grandparents Caring For Grandchildren: Kinship Legal Guardianship In New Jersey

kinship legal guardianshipIn 2002, New Jersey began the Kinship Legal Guardianship (KLG) program for children and caregivers who were involved with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP), formally known as DYFS. There became a common trend where children who were removed from their biological parents by DCPP were being cared for by grandparents and other relatives, rather than strangers. Because of this common occurrence, the practice of Kinship Legal Guardianship was introduced as a better and more workable alternative to permanent adoption or long-term foster care.

Are you a grandparent considering becoming a kinship legal guardian to your grandchild? Here’s what you need to know. Read more

Grandparent Rights: Can You Get Visitation With Your Grandchildren?

grandparent rightsGrandparents in New Jersey have limited rights when it comes to spending time with their grandchildren. The New Jersey courts and New Jersey law are strongly behind parents when it comes to questions regarding visitation and the roles that grandparents may play in the lives of the grandkids. Trying to spend more time with your grandchildren? Here are some avenues that grandparents can take when asking the court for visitation time with their grandchildren. Read more