Child Custody & Co-Parenting
Children are not property that can be split in half or awarded to one party. Yet, there must be a specific custody order and parenting plan in place when parents divorce. These important arrangements will govern your child’s well-being and your relationship with your child.
At The Law Office of Rajeh A. Saadeh, L.L.C., we balance two important roles — asserting your parental rights and protecting the best interests of your children. While we always strive for an amicable parenting agreement, we are willing and able to represent you in child custody litigation if it comes to that.
Your children deserve the best.
Whether you are fighting for custody rights or working out the details, we can help. Schedule a consultation at our Bridgewater office, by telephone, or virtually with our experienced lawyers.
Custody And Shared Parenting In New Jersey
Attorney Rajeh A. Saadeh formerly served as a judicial law clerk in the New Jersey family courts. He is knowledgeable about New Jersey law on child custody and familiar with how the judges in Middlesex County, Somerset County, Hunterdon County, Morris County, Union County and Mercer County typically rule in different scenarios. These insights will help you approach custody in the right frame of mind and from a position of strength.
We can help you address every facet of divorce and non-divorce issues as it relates to your children:
- A custody agreement (negotiated or court-ordered)
- A parenting plan (spelling out the terms of co-parenting)
- Appropriate child support, including deviations from the guidelines
- Relocation by either parent after divorce or separation
- Grandparents’ visitation
- Petitions for sole custody or supervised visitation
The Best Interests Of The Child
The family courts presume that children are best served by having both parents involved in their lives. Even if one parent is awarded primary physical custody, the other parent will almost always be granted regular visitation. Shared parenting, in which both parents have relatively equal time, is increasingly common. Regardless of where the child lives, with rare exception, both parents will have joint legal custody — equal say in major decisions, such as education, health care and religious upbringing.
The court’s overriding factor in custody determination is not the wealth or the wishes of each parent, but what is best for the child. Through negotiation and perhaps with the aid of a third-party mediator, Rajeh A. Saadeh can help you work out practical custody arrangements regarding residence, schedules, exchanges, extracurricular activities, and the rules of co-parenting. Though you are getting divorced or separating, you and the other parent will still be raising a child together.
Getting the Answers You Need To Common Custody Questions
We know that nothing is more precious to you than your children. Divorce and separation is a time of great change, and the last thing you want as a parent is to significantly and negatively disrupt your child’s life. You have questions. We have answers. If the issue you need help with is not answered here, call out office at 908-396-8330 and arrange a consultation to speak with a member of our team.
What is the difference between joint and sole custody?
Joint custody means that both parents are active in the child’s life. This usually means a close to 50-50 split in time. It is not always possible for a child to spend exactly half of their time with each parent. This means that most of the time the split is closer to 60-40 or 70-30. Sole custody, which is really sole legal custody, means that the child lives with one parent who makes all of the decisions regarding the child’s health, education and religious upbringing. Sole legal custody is uncommon.
How is child custody determined in New Jersey?
What is the most common custody arrangement for divorcing or separating New Jersey parents?
The most common is joint custody. This is because New Jersey courts and law, and child custody experts agree that most children benefit from having both parents stay active in their lives after a divorce. If one parent is unfit or unable to parent, then a court may determine that sole custody is best for the child. A parent may also have primary physical custody. This means the child spends the majority of their time with one parent. Legal custody means that one parent makes all of the major decisions for the child. When a parent has legal custody, it usually also means that the child lives with that parent.
Standing Your Ground
If you cannot reach agreement on custody and parenting, or if the other party is trying to undermine your parental rights, a judge may need to rule on custody. Rajeh A. Saadeh is a formidable courtroom lawyer who will aggressively fight for you if litigation cannot be avoided. We understand that nothing is more important to you than your children.
To arrange a consultation with child custody attorney Rajeh A. Saadeh, call 908-396-8330 or use our online contact form to reach out to us.
