Child Custody Lawyers
When a family breaks up, it is never the child’s fault. Unfortunately, children often get caught in the cross hairs, especially when it comes to the battle over child custody.
Whenever possible, the lawyers at Keith, Winters & Wenning, L.L.C., utilize alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve custody disputes and minimize the impact of the divorce on the children. We are also savvy litigators who will fight for your interests if negotiations break down.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our Bradley Beach child custody attorneys, e-mail our law firm or call us at 732-774-1212.
Providing Stable Ground During a Turbulent Time
Our firm has a team of dedicated attorneys with over 80 years of combined legal experience. We understand how stressful child custody determinations can be. We will explain the process to you and advocate strongly to protect your interests.
Understanding Best Interest Factors
In New Jersey, the courts determine who gets custody of a child based on a child’s best interests. In most situations a court will decide if a child’s best interests are served by maintaining a continued relationship with both parents. They are also determined by weighing a number of factors, including:
- The needs of the child
- The stability of the child’s environment at home
- The child’s current connection with his or her parents and any siblings
- The amount and quality of time each parent spent with the child prior to their split
- The demands of each parent’s jobs
- Proximity of parents to each other
- The fitness of a parent, including any ongoing substance abuse issues
In addition, parents must be able to communicate and work effectively with one another. The willingness of parents to cooperate with existing custody arrangements is an important factor.
Forms of Custody and Visitation
The court must make a determination about a child’s legal custody and physical custody based on the child’s best interests.
Legal custody refers to a parent’s right to make major decisions about a child’s life, including education, marriage, and health care. Physical custody refers to where the child lives. Typically, one parent has primary or custodial physical custody and the other parent has visitation, which may include having overnights, weekend visits, and vacation rights.
Looking for a lawyer near you to help with child custody and visitation? Our office is located in Bradley Beach NJ, and we provide legal services to all neighboring towns and communities.