Getting divorced is never something a New Jersey resident wants to do. The sadness or regret that can be felt during this time can be even greater when minor children are involved. The decision to split children from their parents and be forced to share time with a former spouse in order to see your children can make custody decisions difficult. By focusing on maintaining a relationship with children that benefits them, you can work through the process of identifying child custody arrangements.
In New Jersey, courts can make orders for child custody or parenting time if you and the other parent are unable to do so. Such decisions will take into account a variety of factors and can even include the wishes of your children depending upon their ages. Some of the other elements that can play a role in a child custody dispute include:
- Whether or not there is a criminal history on file for one or both parents.
- The emotional stability and health of each parent.
- The physical health of each parent.
- The ages of the children involved.
The overall home environment provided by you and the other parent will be taken into consideration as well. It is the goal of the court to provide a safe home environment for all children. Any previous instances of domestic violence or abuse will therefore impact what is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
The attorneys at Levine and Levine have helped many families in New Jersey identify child custody arrangements that work for them.
