Gloucester County Child Custody Lawyers Located in Woodbury, NJ
Experienced Woodbury, NJ Child Custody Attorneys Help Clients Resolve Child Custody Matters in Gloucester County and Throughout South Jersey
Kids aren’t property—yet that’s what often happens when a relationship ends. Each parent forgets the other parent’s good qualities, believing that he or she is the only one entitled to spend time with the children.
However, except in extreme circumstances, courts believe that it’s in a child’s best interest to have a healthy relationship with both parents. Oftentimes, litigation can stall or drag on because of the singular issue of custody and parenting time, often referred to as legal and physical custody.
You may have heard all sorts of things relating to these designations from friends and family who’ve gone through the family court system. Relying on anecdotes will just cause confusion and create uncertainty.
When you meet with Smedley Law Group, P.C., you’ll receive individualized input regarding your specific custody and parenting time situation and receive clarity about the road ahead. We’ll discuss your goals and desires—and work with you to craft a parenting plan that’s in your child’s best interest.
While most couples have a say in decisions relating to their child’s health, education, or welfare, it’s not always appropriate for that to be the case. If you can’t cooperate and co-parent with your ex, sharing in the decision-making responsibilities with that person may not be in your child’s best interest—and can lead to constant conflict and strife in your life. When you work with us, we’ll help to understand you, your ex and your situation to determine if your child will be best served by a joint custodial arrangement.
At Smedley Law Group, P.C., our family law attorneys have helped families across South Jersey resolve child custody issues for decades. We specialize in working through these complicated issues to help our clients resolve their goals. We know the right questions to ask and the arguments that could work in your favor. To learn more, schedule a consultation with an experienced child custody attorney at Smedley Law Group, P.C. today.
Helping Clients Resolve Physical and Legal Child Custody Matters
In New Jersey, child custody matters get divided into two basic categories: physical custody and legal custody. Both types of child custody can be equally important to protect your children and their future.
- Physical custody. Physical custody relates to how much time a child spends with each parent. The parent who has the majority of time with the child is referred to the Parent of Primary Residence, and the other parent is referred to as the Parent of Alternate Residence.
- Legal custody. Legal custody determines who’ll make important decisions on behalf of a minor child relating to the child’s health, education, and welfare. Parents often work together to reach an agreement. The rights of each parent can also be spelled out in a judicial child custody order.
Sole child custody arrangements are rare in New Jersey. However, it’s common for parents to disagree over important issues that impact their children. The relationships that exist between co-parents can be critical to determining how a child custody matter should be resolved. In reality, the possibilities are endless.
Reaching the most advantageous solution possible involves considering:
- Both parents’ work schedules
- Whether the parents live in close proximity or far apart
- Where the child’s school is located in relation to each parent
- Childcare needs
- The availability of family members who can help
- The child’s activities
- The desire and ability of each parent to actively participate in the various aspects of the child’s upbringing.
At Smedley Law Group, P.C., we’ll help you explore every option to reach a solution that works for your family. We can help you design a parenting plan with your child’s best interests in mind. To learn more about how our child custody attorneys can help, call for a consultation today.
Our Woodbury Child Custody Attorneys Fight to Protect Your Family’s Interests Even in Complex Child Custody Battles
Child custody is rarely a simple issue to resolve. When your children’s future is at stake, you need a capable lawyer who finds innovative solutions. At Smedley Law Group, P.C., our experienced child custody lawyers are available to help with:
- Creating a child custody arrangement that works for your family
- Resolving child support issues
- Modifying an existing child custody order to account for changed family circumstances
- Exploring adding visitation rights for a non-custodial parent
- Grandparent visitation rights
- Enforcing a child custody order against a non-compliant parent
- Reaching a temporary child custody agreement to govern while divorce proceedings are pending
- Resolving issues surrounding each parent’s right to contribute financially to the child’s higher education.
We’ve often seen relationships between co-parents quickly become hostile. Our child custody lawyers want to help you and your co-parent reach an amicable solution that prioritizes your children’s interests. At Smedley Law Group, P.C., our child custody attorneys will advocate for you and your family every step of the way.
To find answers to your questions about a specific child custody matter, call to schedule a consultation with an experienced Woodbury, NJ child custody attorney at Smedley Law Group, P.C. today.
Call to Schedule a Consultation With an Experienced Woodbury Child Custody Attorney Today
Want some good news? You don’t have to wait until your child’s other parent retains a lawyer to get help. At Smedley Law Group, P.C., we’re here to answer all of your questions now. We take a proactive approach so you aren’t scrambling to respond to your ex’s actions.
Speaking with an experienced child custody lawyer is the first step toward turning the corner to a better, less acrimonious, future. Call Smedley Law Group, P.C. to schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney today. We represent clients all across South Jersey.
- Locations Served in Gloucester County
- Clayton Deptford Township
- East Greenwich Elk Township
- Franklin Township Glassboro
- Greenwich Township Harrison Township
- Logan Township Mantua Township
- Monroe Township National Park
- Newfield Paulsboro
- Pitman South Harrison
- Swedesboro Washington Township
- Wenonah West Deptford
- Westville Woodbury
- Woodbury Heights Woolwich Township
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Child Custody Issues
Generally, a child custody order can only be modified by the courts to reflect a substantial change in circumstances. That change in circumstances can be:
– One parent is relocating
– A parent’s work schedule has significantly changed
– One parent has begun using drugs or alcohol, or otherwise acting in a manner that might be harmful to the children.
Co-parents can either agree to a child custody modification via a consent order or petition the court for an order.
Yes, it’s possible to modify a child custody order if one parent decides to relocate to another state. In these complex cases, it’s usually true that each parent wants primary physical custody of the child.
If court intervention becomes necessary, the judge will use the “best interests of the child” standard to determine where the child should primarily reside. The relationship between co-parents, the child’s needs, the child’s relationships and any other relevant factors will all be considered. The help of a skilled child custody lawyer can be critical to protecting your family’s interests in these complicated cases.
