Factors Affecting Child Custody and Visitation Awards in NJ
April 16, 2019
When couples who have children together are contemplating splitting up, figuring out a feasible child custody arrangement should be a primary consideration. Sometimes, couples can come to a custody agreement without getting the courts involved. However, when couples cannot agree on a custody arrangement, the courts must consider certain factors that are enumerated in New Jersey law to determine how to award custody to the respective parents. This article explains the 14 factors New Jersey courts will consider in determining how to award custody to the children’s respective parents.
Types of Custody Awards in NJ
Before explaining the 14 factors New Jersey courts consider when fashioning custody awards, however, it is important to understand the types of custody awards New Jersey courts can fashion. According to N.J.S.A 9:2-4, there are three types of custody awards New Jersey courts may fashion:
- An award of joint custody
- An award of sole custody with appropriate parenting time with the noncustodial parent
- Any other award that the court has determined is in the best interests of the child
Joint custody typically means that both parents will share legal custody, the ability to make important life decisions for the child, and physical custody, the ability to spend time with the child, on a 50-50 basis. An award of sole custody with the noncustodial parent receiving appropriate parenting time means that one parent will be granted legal and physical custody of the child while the other parent will be award specific periods of visitation with the child. Besides joint and sole custody, the court may, depending on the specific circumstances of the case, make a custody award that falls somewhere in the middle of joint and sole custody. For instance, the court may grant parents joint legal custody, but award one parent primary physical custody while the other parent is award partial custody or visitation.
14 Factors Considered in Fashioning Custody Awards in NJ
According to N.J.S.A. 9:2-4a, the primary consideration New Jersey courts must make when fashioning custody awards is the best interests of the child. To determine what is in the best interests of the child, court will consider the 14 child custody award factors enumerated in N.J.S.A 9:2-4, which are as follows:
- Parents’ ability to agree, communicate, and cooperate in matters relating to the child
- Parents’ willingness to accept custody of the child and any history of unwillingness to allow parenting time to the other parent that is not based on substantiated abuse allegations
- Interaction and relationship of the child with the respective parents and the child’s siblings
- Parents’ respective histories of perpetrating domestic violence
- The safety of the child and the safety of either parent from physical abuse by the other parent
- The preference of the child
- The emotional, physical, and psychological needs of the child
- The stability of the home environment offered by the respective parents
- The fitness of the parents
- The geographical proximity between the parents’ respective homes
- The quality time each parent spent with the child prior to the parents’ separation
- The parents’ employment
- The number and age of the other children in the parents’ respective households
Depending on the specific facts of the case, New Jersey courts will consider all of the above factors and weigh said factors with one another. If all or most of the factors do not strongly militate in favor of either parent, the court may be more apt to make a joint custody award. Conversely, if all, most, or even certain factors like of the safety of the child and history of domestic violence militates strongly in favor of one parent, the court may be inclined to award that parent sole custody and the other parent periods of visitation.
The most important takeaway from this article should be that custody awards are based on fact specific considerations. Therefore, every award of custody will be unique and it is prudent to consult with an experienced attorney before filing custody actions.
Contact an East Brunswick Family Law Attorney for a Consultation About Child Custody in New Jersey Today
If you are thinking about filing for divorce, or if you have already started the divorce process and are dealing with another matter such as child custody, child support, or property division you need to speak with a qualified attorney. The New Jersey family law attorneys at Rudnick, Addonizio, Pappa & Casazza, PC represent clients throughout the state, including East Brunswick, Manalapan, Middletown, and Edison. We understand how challenging this time can be for you, which is why we will fight hard to protect your interests, and the interests of your loved ones, throughout the legal process. Contact us at (866) 567-0135 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 197 State Route 18 South, Suite 3000, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, as well as an office located in Hazlet, NJ.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.