Custody And Parenting Time For Your Children:
There is no other issue that is more important than custody and parenting time for your minor children. Your children are your priority, so your children are our priority. The family law attorneys at Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC keep your children’s best interest at the forefront of all negotiations and litigation considerations.
In child custody cases involving divorce or two parents who were never married, parents may work together to formulate a child custody plan they believe is in everyone’s best interest. While subject to final approval by the court, working together with your co-parent allows you to create a child custody arrangement suitable to your unique situation rather than leaving it to the court to decide. Here, you can craft joint custody or parenting time schedules considering work commitments, holidays, birthdays, summer vacations, health care needs, religious observances, and other considerations. With input from both parents, a child custody plan is less likely to be emotionally and physically disruptive to you and your children.
Legal custody is the right to make major decisions which affect a child’s health, education and general welfare. It also affords a legal custodial parent the right to access your minor children’s health documents and educational information as well as the right to have access to the child’s health providers and educators. Absent some issue with a parent’s fitness or other special circumstance, both parents’ rights to legal custody are equal. If you have any questions or concerns regarding legal custody for your child, the family law attorneys at Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC will explore those concerns with you.
Physical custody is the specific parenting time plan where your children shall share time with each parent. There are sole parenting arrangements and shared parenting arrangements. Every child’s situation and circumstances are unique. No one knows your children the way that you do. Parenting time plans should be carefully crafted to meet the children’s needs, and to ensure that the children have healthy relationships with both parents where possible.
In absence of an agreement between the parents, the court considers the statutory factors outlined at N.J.S.A. 9:2-4 in creating a custody and parenting time plan that will ensure that both parents have continuous and meaningful time with their children where both parents are fit and able. If there are circumstances which render such a plan inappropriate, whether due to a fitness issue of one parent or a child’s special needs, our attorneys can guide you through the process of hiring a custody evaluation expert or other professionals to assist in setting the appropriate plan for your child.
Grandparents’ and Siblings’ Rights in Custody And Visitation
Grandparent and sibling visitation is governed by statute in New Jersey, at N.J.S.A. 9:2-7.1. Grandparents and siblings can secure the right to have time with their grandchildren/siblings under specialized circumstances. To be successful in such an action, the applicant must show that the children will suffer a “particularized harm” if the visitation is not allowed.
We are intimately familiar with the provisions of the Grandparents and Siblings Visitation Statute, as well as court rulings based on the statute. We can review your situation and determine the best way to proceed to establish your visitation rights as a grandparent or a sibling.
We understand that custody litigation is emotionally draining and financially challenging for all concerned. We strive to achieve solutions that will avoid litigation where possible and provide certainty and reliability for you and your children.
Contact Us Today
At the family law practice of Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC, our attorneys work closely with you to protect the best interests of you and your children. When necessary, we work with child psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other professionals to build your case and protect your parental rights. To learn how we can help you, contact us online or call our office at 856-440-1231.