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Who Decides if Our Child Gets Vaccinated?
Coparenting during the current pandemic presented a unique challenge for parents who may, or may not, be on the same page when it comes to decisions about their child’s health care. As vaccines to protect against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to become available to the public, and teenage children in particular, coparents are left to …
Divorcing a Bipolar Spouse? What You Need to Know
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 51.5 million U.S. adults (one in five) live with a serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression as of 2019. This means that a mental health issue, such as bipolar disorder, coming to light during a marriage is not uncommon. In New …
Guardianships – New Background Screening Procedure for Certain Guardianship Petitions
The New Jersey Judiciary has recently issued a directive that for all petitions for guardianship of incapacitated persons filed on or after May 15, 2021, a new background screening policy is in place. Specifically, for certain proposed guardians, the Court will now require that they be subject to a background check that includes: a check …
Can a Criminal Record Affect Child Custody?
In a divorce, the parents seeking physical or legal custody of minor children must show the courts they are capable of providing for them physically, emotionally, and financially. The child’s best interests take precedence above all other issues in the divorce. From this perspective, it is easy to see how criminal charges can impact child …
How Should I Handle Summer Break if I have a Child Custody Agreement?
As summer approaches, divorced parents may have questions about how to navigate child custody and vacation time. Some parenting plans are more unclear than others, often leaving co-parents confused about where children will spend summer days. Many divorced couples make plans for summer parenting schedules in their parenting plan and custody agreements. However, as children …
Who Pays for Summer Camp Activities When Parents are Divorced?
As the school year winds down, parents are starting to plan summer activities for their children. However, camps, sports, youth groups, and pool memberships can be quite expensive. For some divorced parents, financing summer fun is a source of conflict. Guidelines for financing summer camps and other activities depend on how they are viewed under …
How Does Domestic Violence Impact Child Custody?
Even if a child is not physically harmed, witnessing domestic violence can take an emotional toll on a child. For this reason, family courts in New Jersey and across the nation take claims of domestic violence very seriously. Since it is the court’s job to ensure children are in the care of a safe and …
What is Considered in Child Custody Cases in New Jersey?
While the courts consider many factors when determining child custody arrangements, the best interests of the child are always the top priority. There are two primary elements of custody that must be determined: legal and physical custody. Legal custody is the right to make vital decisions for the child, such as education, medical care, and …
What is a Final Divorce Decree?
A divorce decree is the final document that officially ends the marriage. It is a formal declaration that contains important guidelines for how the divorced couple is going to manage their affairs going forward. The divorce decree covers property division, child custody, and alimony terms, among other matters. For a spouse involved in the process …
What is the Difference Between Sole and Joint Custody?
Child custody is one big piece of the larger divorce puzzle, and because of the emotions involved, it is often the most challenging. Divorced parents naturally find it difficult to transition from seeing their child every day to sharing parenting time with an ex-spouse. This discussion explains the difference between sole and joint custody to …
The blogs published by Lyons & Associates are available for informational purposes only and are not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing any of the blogs on this site, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. The blogs should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.
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