While a divorce seemingly impacts every aspect of life, the most single important element is, of course, the safety, security and welfare of children. In the best interest of the child is the prevailing standard the court considers in determining many issues. And there’s no bigger issue in divorce than child custody.
What do we mean when we say, child custody? There are two types of custody, and variations within each type:
- Physical custody: This is most often what people mean when asking, where does the child reside? Where do the kids sleep, eat, do their homework?
- Legal custody: This pertains to who has rights to make decisions about the well-being of the kids, including their health, their education, their general development.
Within these types of custody, two types of arrangements are available:
- Joint: In joint custody— be it physical and/or legal— both co-parents share custody, and share the rights and responsibilities afforded by such.
- Sole: In sole custody— be it physical and/or legal— one co-parent has 100% responsibility for such, be it choosing a doctor or tucking their kid into bed at night.
It is possible for, say, divorced parents to have joint legal custody but one co-parent to have primary physical custody, with the other co-parent entitled to parenting time. In fact, this type of arrangement is not uncommon.
So, if during the divorce proceedings you find yourself facing down a Hackensack Child Custody Hearing, the single most important thing you can do is:
- Hire a Hackensack Child Custody Family Lawyer. Family Lawyers have experience handling these types of cases and can assist you as you navigate family court and get the best outcome for you and your family. Consult with a Family Lawyer from O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department immediately, because we’re here to fight for you, your children, and your rights, and to help you Move Forward. Call (848) 356-4442 or fill out the intake form on our website immediately.
What else should you do?
- Talk honestly with your family lawyer about what type of custody agreement might be best for you and your family. If that means agreeing to joint custody, share that with them, and you and your legal team can start to work out a framework; if that means fighting for sole custody, share those hopes so your legal team can begin preparing plans for that fight.
- Share all documentation that you think is pertinent to a child custody case with your family lawyer. This may include text messages, screenshots of social media posts, and/or photos. In today’s day and age most of us leave a digital trail, and you’ll want to share yours (even anything you think may paint you in an unflattering light) and your co-parent’s (to the extent that you can) with your new legal team.
Hire a Certified Family Lawyer
The head of our Family Law Department, Francesca O’Cathain, Esq., is certified by the Supreme Court Board on Attorney Certification as a Matrimonial Lawyer. This means she has:
- Been a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar for at least five years
- Taken a specific number of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses in the three years prior to filing for certification
- Demonstrated substantial involvement in preparation of litigated matters
- Demonstrated an unblemished reputation by submitting a list of fellow attorneys and judges who attested to her character and ability
- Passed a written examination covering various aspects of family law
Don’t take a risk with your child’s custody— hire an attorney from the O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department and Move Forward.
(201)488-1161
