Child custody cases are often driven by emotion. Since the outcome can positively or negatively affect a child’s life, you need an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the law and has vast experience in child custody matters. These are the attorneys you should prefer to hire to lead the legal fight and seek the best outcomes.
New Jersey family law uses the term joint or sole custody. Child custody naturally triggers strong emotions and misunderstandings between the parents. Considering this, a New Jersey family law attorney can assist you in many situations.
Here is a list of services that a family law attorney does during a child custody case:
1. Educates you about the parental rights
The end of the relationship with another parent pushes you into new legal territory. You may not be familiar with the applicable laws and are uncertain about how to proceed. Proper information regarding the differences between legal and physical custody and the factors the court will take into consideration when hearing the custody issues will help you for navigating through the legal process.
2. Estimates of child support payments
Custody always influences child support calculations. These amounts are crucial to the child’s financial well-being and comfort. The calculation considers several things, including the parent’s gross income and credits for those who pay child care and health insurance bills. When you have a family lawyer on your side, you can achieve fair and accurate child support calculations.
3. Prepares a legal strategy
Family courts are always determined to secure the child’s best interests while deciding custody cases. The family law attorney will strive to prepare a legal strategy that showcases how your requests align with the child’s best interests.
4. Presents concrete evidence before the court
If the child custody dispute requires court intervention, it is recommended to hire a well-experienced family law attorney to guide the legal process. The court will require both parties to follow different court procedures, rules of evidence, and trial rules.
5. Guides you through the strong emotions
Child custody cases are blended with emotion, and it sometimes makes it difficult to come out of such emotional conditions. A family law attorney will ease you past the emotional episodes and prevent you from making angry, snap decisions. You need your lawyer to provide neutral decisions on how the law could apply to your case.
6. Lets the court know about the current condition of the child
Safeguarding the child’s best interests is the main objective of any child custody matter and to prove it, you have to present strong evidence regarding the current living conditions of the child and family bonds.
7. Manage cases of domestic violence and arrange the visitation
If the children face domestic violence due to a dispute between the parents, it can influence the trial process. A New Jersey family law attorney can bring the parent’s concerns to the court’s attention and pursue a visitation that helps balance parental rights with the child’s safety.
Summary
Child custody cases are sensitive, and they need proper representation in court since these cases largely influence the child’s life and future. So, hire a well experienced New Jersey family lawyer who can safeguard your interests.
Ronald Lieberman is a partner and shareholder at Adinolfi, Lieberman, Burick, Roberto & Molotsky in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. As a certified matrimonial lawyer by the New Jersey Supreme Court and member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Ron has the expertise and a proven track record of representing clients throughout New Jersey in their sensitive and unique family law matters including child custody disputes.
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