New Jersey child custody laws help parents overcome interstate child custody conflicts, dictate custody arrangements and rules, and allow grandparents to even request visitation rights. Dads who are getting a divorce can seek custody of their child even if it’s not sole custody.
The custody options available to men, include:
- Sole Physical Custody: Sole physical custody is an agreement wherein the child sleeps at the non-custodial parent’s home: less than two nights per week, on vacation or on holiday time. This arrangement allows the child to remain in one residence the entire week, which is often beneficial when school is in session. But the non-custodial parent can have the child on weekends and during holidays or certain vacation times.
- Shared Physical Custody: When shared physical custody is allowed, the child will spend more than two overnights per week with each parent. The agreement may also be changed from case-to-case, where the child spends equal time at each parent’s home on a bi-weekly basis. This scenario works well when both parents live close to each other and the child is able to maintain a consistent school schedule.
- Joint Custody: The definition of joint custody is slightly different than shared custody. In New Jersey, joint custody can be granted even if one parent has sole physical custody of the child. Joint custody arrangements allow both parents to be involved in major decisions of the child, but this doesn’t always mean that there is a shared physical custody arrangement in place.
- Sole Legal Custody: A parent can be deemed “unfit,” and in this case, sole legal custody may be granted to one parent. This custody arrangement is not as common, but judges may put this agreement into place in special situations.
The New Jersey court system wants the child’s best interests to be the main deciding factor in a child custody agreement. And with more studies showing the benefits of shared physical custody, this is a great option that can benefit both the parents and child.
If the opposing parent is unfit or unavailable, you can seek sole physical custody of the child or even request supervised visitation of the other parent.
Men are starting to ask for joint or sole custody more often, and this trend allows dads to remain a vital part in their child’s life. Courts also encourage parents to make their own custody arrangements, which allows for an amicable decision to be made between both parents. In most cases, this is the desirable outcome that puts less stress on the child and parents.
