Hackensack Joint Custody Attorneys

Turn to an Experienced Hackensack Joint Custody Lawyer

Standing Up for Your Shared Child Custody Interests

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Divorce and separations split up families and affect the most precious of relationships—the one between parents and children. As a responsible and loving parent, you want to nurture that precious bond by spending time with your child and being involved in major decisions regarding their welfare and upbringing.

At [MFR] Men’s & Fathers’ Rights Divorce Lawyers we understand the anxiety many parents face when child custody is being decided. We want to help you achieve a custody arrangement that is beneficial for you and your child. To speak with a joint custody lawyer, call (201) 880-9770.

Why Choose MFR?

Our Joint Custody Attorneys Are Highly Experienced

Our attorneys have decades of combined experience exclusively handling divorce and family law cases, including having a record of successful outcomes in child custody matters. Founder Carrie S. Schultz is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney and her strong proficiency in this complex area of the law will be a benefit to your case.

We know that there is so much at stake for you as a parent during this difficult time in your life. You can trust our professionals to always treat you in a compassionate, honest, and responsive manner,

We Will Ensure Your Rights are Protected

Our Hackensack joint custody attorneys will:

Advocate for you in negotiations with your spouse
Make sure your rights to be a part of your child’s life are safeguarded
Work in the best interests of your child to establish a fair joint custody agreement
Represent you in court if you and your spouse cannot reach agreement.

See what previous clients say about our legal services and support.

Understanding Joint Custody in New Jersey

Joint custody, also called “shared custody,” keeps both parents as equally involved as possible in their child’s life. It is also a priority of the New Jersey court that parents share in child-rearing responsibilities.

There are various types of joint custody arrangements, including:

Joint legal custody – Both parents share major decision-making for the child regarding education, medical care, religious upbringing, and other critical areas. It’s the preferred custody arrangement by the courts if it is in the best interests of the children.
Joint physical or residential custody – In joint physical or residential custody arrangements, the child alternates living with both parents as equally as possible, in accordance with the established parenting time schedule, so long as same is in the best interests of the children.
Joint legal custody with one parent having primary physical custody – The logistics of moving back and forth from one home to another may not be practical, and in fact may be detrimental to some children. Often in joint custody arrangements, both parents will have legal decision-making authority, but the child will spend more of their time with one parent. The parent who doesn’t have the child as often is the parent of alternate residence.

Sole legal and physical custody are also possible in cases where it might not be appropriate for a parent to be involved in decision-making for the child, or even to see the child.

How is Joint Custody Decided?

The core issue in making joint custody decisions is the child’s best interests. If both parents agree to a joint custody arrangement, they can consent and put their agreement down onto paper. Then, that agreement can become a court order by requesting that the judge sign it.

If there is a dispute over custody arrangements, the judge will be the final decision-maker after considering many factors. Here are some of the things the court will take into account:

The parents’ ability to agree, communicate, and cooperate concerning their child
The interaction and relationship of the child with its parents and siblings
The child’s preference if they’re old enough and mature enough to form an intelligent decision
The child’s needs
The home environment’s stability
The quality and continuity of the child’s education
How far apart the parents’ homes are
The parents’ job responsibilities.

Go to NJSA 9:2-4.c to see the complete list of factors the court will look at in determining whether joint custody is in the child’s best interests.

Joint Custody Attorney in Hackensack Answers Common Questions

We receive many questions from parents concerned about custody arrangements. Here are a few of them.

Do I need a lawyer to help me get joint custody?

Going through this complicated legal process by yourself can put you at a serious disadvantage. It’s very important to retain an experienced New Jersey attorney who will ensure you are treated fairly.

How can I make joint custody work with my ex-spouse?

Here are some tips to making joint custody work: Don’t speak poorly about your ex; remember that joint custody is about your child’s well-being; don’t fight over small issues; and find a positive way to communicate with your ex, whether by texting, emailing, or talking on the phone.

As a father, do I have the same right to custody as my child’s mother?

The law says that parents start out on equal footing in custody decisions. Gender is not supposed to matter. But for some fathers, it may not feel this way. If you feel that bias from past traditions, in which mothers were generally named primary caregivers, may influence whether you get joint custody, our attorneys will work to make sure the law is applied fairly.

Contact Our Skilled Custody Lawyers in Hackensack

Our lawyers know it can be tough to navigate parenting after divorce. To get help in developing and negotiating a joint child custody agreement or, if need be, litigating one in the courtroom, contact [MFR} Men’s & Fathers’ Rights Divorce Lawyers today at (201) 880-9770. Working with an experienced attorney who knows how to protect the rights of you and your children is a great first step toward reaching a joint custody arrangement that works well.

ATTORNEY BIO

Carrie S. Schultz, Esq.

Thank you for visiting our site. We realize that if you are reading this, you or someone you know is having marital or family difficulties. We truly understand how unsettling that can be for all involved. I personally want to invite you to explore the website which contains a lot of informational and educational items which I hope is of benefit to you. I also welcome you to contact us to schedule a case evaluation to discuss your matter in greater detail. Our firm philosophy is to always remain committed to providing our clients with the best service, care, guidance, communication, and legal advice possible for your particular situation. We take seriously you entrusting us with your legal matter. Happy researching!