A father going through divorce or separation has the same rights to see his children as their ex-partner. That means parenting time, custody, and other matters concerning the children should be based on their best interests, not on a default preference toward the mother or other parent. When you are trying to navigate this situation, consider calling a Piscataway father’s rights lawyer who has your back.
The attorney at our firm is a fierce advocate for dads throughout all stages of child custody and family law matters. With over 16 years of experience handling domestic relations, she understands the unique challenges you may be facing as you try to co-parent. Call today to speak with our family law attorney.
As explained in New Jersey Revised Statutes § 9-2-4, a court’s preference is for minor children to see and connect with both parents. Likewise, the default is for a father to share in the responsibilities of raising a child, such as through providing shelter, food, education, and healthcare. The dad may give these to the children directly, i.e., by buying medical insurance for them, or help the other parent out by sending money for these purposes.
In deciding what arrangement makes the most sense, the court prioritizes the child’s best interests, as outlined in N.J. Rev. Stat. § 9-2-4a. Each caregiver must provide emotional, physical, and financial support for each minor child and any safety issues present in either home. The final custody arrangement should take these and other listed variables into account to create a fair agreement that allows the children to thrive while also creating a way for them to build a relationship with both parents.
A Piscataway father could collaborate with a seasoned attorney, who could review the proposed child custody and support arrangement and create a plan to protect his rights. Having a lawyer use their strong legal background to clarify some of the terminology and answer questions can be an incredible asset.
When the other parent prevents the dad from exercising their rights under the custody agreement, the father may take legal action to remedy this. Depending on the circumstances, this might involve attending one or more mediation sessions, which can reduce costs and time spent in court. Additionally, mediation might work if the parents agreed to try it first to settle these disputes or if they believe they can cooperate in this controlled setting.
If out-of-court attempts to resolve the matter are unsuccessful, reopening the custody case may be necessary. A Piscataway lawyer could offer potential avenues to sort it out. For urgent safety concerns for the children, such as an abusive new partner, contacting the police or taking out a protective order may be an appropriate first step. Once the immediate risks are under control, the father can create a plan to address the underlying concerns.
When you are a dad, you have the same rights as the other parent to see your children based on a fair and legal custody agreement. When a co-parent or others, such as in-laws, try to prevent you from engaging with your children, filing a lawsuit may be appropriate.
Our attorney understands how frustrating it can feel to be involved in a court process that seems to be drowning you out and keeping you from your children. We could go to bat for you during this time and make sure your voice is heard and you feel valued. Reach out to a Piscataway father’s rights lawyer at our office to schedule a confidential consultation.