There are many reasons why people make the difficult decision to give their baby up for adoption. Some of the most common reasons include age, a lack of financial resources, and issues with drug addiction. Regardless of the reasons for putting a child up for adoption, it is important that the birth parents understand how the […]
Child custody proceedings are complex and often emotionally charged. In these types of cases, judges have a duty to protect the minor children involved, which means assessing what kind of parenting arrangement is in the child’s best interest. Many factors go into the judge’s assessment, and parental mental health is one issue that the court […]
Although the hope is that divorce ends amicably, that is simply not the case for many families. In a high-conflict divorce, it is common for judges, lawyers, psychologists, and other professionals involved in the case to recommend a parent coordinator to assist parents in finding a resolution to disputes outside of the courtroom, including those […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 custody arguments. […]
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 grow and their […]
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 the law. Child […]
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 responsible parent […]
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 […]
