Child Custody Attorney in Bridgewater, NJ
Unfortunately, divorce is a reality for many families in New Jersey. When over 50% of marriages end in divorce, children are bound to be involved in some cases. Everyone involved would like to limit the impact of the divorce on the child. While many issues may be contested in a divorce, child custody might be the most emotional topic of all. When parents have worked so hard to establish and continue a positive relationship with their children, the idea that they may not be able to see their children every day may be too much for some to handle. When dealing with child custody issues, it is important to have the child’s best interests in mind. The situation should be handled efficiently by a skilled legal professional. At Siragusa Law Firm, we understand the emotional turmoil involved with child custody issues and will work to see that your legal issue is resolved as quickly as possible so that you can focus on the future. If you need an attorney to represent your needs in and out of court, contact Siragusa Law Firm.
Understanding Different Types Of Custody
There are a few different options for custody in New Jersey, depending on many factors concerning the child and each parent. The breakdown of custody options in New Jersey is as follows:
- Physical custody– Also known as residential custody, refers to the parent or guardian that has the child more nights per week. When the parents can work together and set aside their differences to best serve their child’s needs, a shared physical custody arrangement may be a good option. This means that the child’s nights are more evenly split.
- Legal custody– legal custody refers to the parent who makes all of the important decisions for the child, including academics, religion, and medical issues. Even if a parent loses physical custody, our firm believes it is imperative for the parent to fight for joint legal custody.
- Sole custody– When a parent is deemed by a court to be unfit, the other party may be awarded sole custody. This often means that the fit parent has the child most or all of the time and has the ability to make all of the important legal decisions regarding schooling, religion, medical services, and more. New Jersey believes that a child’s best interests are met when both parents are involved in his or her life. The unfit parent may be allowed supervised or unsupervised visitation rights in order to rehabilitate their lives and establish a healthy and productive relationship with the child again.
Determining Custody Through Alternative Dispute Resolution
When parents can come together and agree to terms that best serve the interests of the children, everyone benefits. Through mediation or collaborative law, families can exemplify constructive dispute resolution for their children while coming to terms that everyone can bear. Child custody is an emotional topic. Mediation and collaborative law offer parents an alternative to a heated court battle that saves time and money and allows them to control their own fate. If you are interested in mediation or collaborative law, contact Siragusa Law Firm for a consultation.
Contact our Bridgewater Child Custody Attorneys
Siragusa Law Firm is honored to be a legal resource for the people of New Jersey. Child custody cases are emotionally charged and difficult to bear. It is important to consult with a compassionate, effective attorney. If you need an experienced lawyer to assess your situation, guide you through your legal options, and passionately represent your interests in and out of court, contact Siragusa Law Firm for a consultation.
