Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC Attorneys at Law

Solutions. Service. Experience.

Child Custody And Parenting Time Attorneys

In awarding or determining child custody, the court will always act in what it believes is the best interest of a child. In general, this means the court will evaluate the fitness of a home; whether a child has special needs; if there is a history of domestic violence; the emotional involvement of a child with each parent; and, with older children, a child’s preferences. So custody decisions are not based solely on financial considerations or which parent has more income. For these reasons, it is essential that the court understand your relationship with your child and why he or she will be better off in your custody or maintaining a relationship with you.

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.

Our Child Custody Practice

We counsel and represent clients about the following:

  • Sole or physical custody
  • Joint custody arrangements
  • Adoptive parent child custody rights
  • Visitation rights granted after a paternity test
  • Custody rights in same-sex relationships
  • Grandparents custody and visitation rights

In child custody cases involving divorce, 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 soon-to-be ex-spouse 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 visitation 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.

Grandparents’ Rights in Custody And Visitation

Grandparent visitation is governed by statute in New Jersey, with the Grandparents and Siblings Visitation Statute requiring a showing of “particularized harm” to a child if grandparent visitation is not allowed. In the 2003 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling in Moriarty v. Bradt, the court determined grandparent visitation rights cannot be awarded by simply arguing a grandchild’s biological parents lack requisite parenting skills. Grandparents applying for custody or visitation must establish that their grandchild will suffer harm without grandparent visitation. In 2013, the New Jersey Appellate Court reaffirmed the principles set out in Moriarty in an unpublished decision involving L.A.B. v. B.L.P. and C.J.B. 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.

Need Assistance In A Custody Matter? Contact Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC

If you are involved in a custody dispute, our experienced New Jersey divorce and family law attorneys can help. For more information about child custody in New Jersey and how we can help you, contact Woodbury New Jersey child custody attorneys at Cockerill, Craig & Moore, LLC to schedule an appointment today.