What Child Custody Arrangements are Available in New Jersey?

The process of divorce is complex and draining. There are several legal matters to settle. When children are involved, matters of child custody are taken into question. One of the major issues that must be resolved in a divorce is determining which parent will be the custodial parent. Often times, the court will decide on custody matters for the parents in an effort to serve the best interest of the child. This is one of the most emotional situations when parents divorce, which is why it is important that these matters are handled sensitively. During this time, it is important to retain the services of an experienced and compassionate attorney.

Types of Custody Arrangements

There are several different forms of custody in New Jersey. As all families are different from one another, there is not a “one size fits all” approach to the matter. Therefore, it is important to create an arrangement that works for your family and benefits the child. The different types of custody in New Jersey are as follows:

• Physical Custody: This determines the parent that the child spends the majority of their time with. The child primarily lives with and is taken care of by this parent more than half the time. This means they must provide the child with basic stability, a home, food, clothing, etc. It is important to note that in some situations, parents can share joint physical custody.
• Legal Custody: This type of custody allows a parent the right to have influence in their child’s life. With this, a parent can be involved in making important decisions regarding the upbringing of their child. This can include issues such as education, religion, healthcare, and the child’s well-being. It is important to understand that parents do not need to have physical custody of their child in order to gain legal custody.

Factors Considered

When the court makes child custody decisions, they are required to do so with the child’s best interest at the forefront. The court must take a variety of factors into consideration when deciding on child custody. Some of these factors include the following:

• If a parent can provide stability in the child’s current life (home, school, activities, etc)
• If the parent will act in the child’s best interest
• The relationship between the child and each parent
• The physical health and safety of the child
• What the child needs
• The geographical proximity of each parent’s home
• The preference of the child if they are of sufficient age

Contact our Firm

If you are considering a divorce and need an attorney who can effectively represent you through every step, including child custody, you can count on Lazor Rantas, PC. We proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey as they navigate divorce and family law matters. To discuss your case with an experienced legal team, contact Lazor Rantas, PC today.