Since the majority of child custody arrangements allow both parents to remain active in the lives of their children, establishing an efficient means of co-parenting can prove invaluable to all parties involved. By implementing the following steps, you could help ease any potential tension between yourself and your former partner, reduce the odds of emotional issues involving your children from arising, and strengthen the connection between your children and both parents:
Whether you need help creating a workable co-parenting plan, or if the situation arises for the need to change an existing child custody arrangement, there is professional support and guidance readily available to you. An experienced New Jersey family law attorney can answer all your questions and concerns, explore all your possible legal options and work diligently toward achieving the best outcome possible for your unique situation.
]]>Regardless of why you are making this decision or the approach you and the other New Jersey spouse will take, preparing for what is ahead can allow you to face the future with confidence. Your preparation will put you in a better place from which you can make confident decisions that will be in your interests and the interests of your children. Your long-term interests are on the line, but there are ways you can protect yourself as you move ahead.
Many call January “divorce month” due to the sheer number of divorce petitions that are filed after the conclusion of the holiday season. Whether you plan to file in January or at a later point, there are steps you can take that will allow you to prepare yourself for the upheaval and transitions often brought about by a divorce. Some of the steps you can take include:
The steps you take now have the potential to impact your life long-term, even if you do not plan to divorce immediately after the start of a new calendar year. If you are unsure of how you can protect your interests or make smart decisions for your future, you will benefit from speaking with a professional regarding the steps you should be taking to prepare.
]]>Children are typically resilient and adaptable to the changes divorce brings to their daily lives. However, one issue that can cause high levels of stress is parental conflict, especially during the holidays. If you and your ex are willing to work together as a team to cooperate and make new memories with your kids, this holiday season can be enjoyable for the whole family.
When you sign a child custody agreement, issues such as where your children will live and which parent will have decision-making authority, are written into the legal document. It’s easy to overlook other issues, which may not seem as critical, like holiday gifts. Co-parenting is less stressful when both parents agree ahead of time regarding issues like how much to spend on gifts, who will pay for what, and what items each parent will buy. The latter helps avoid duplicate gifts, and discussing finances and other issues helps avoid conflict.
One of the best gifts you can give your kids during the holidays is to agree to set your differences aside with your ex, or, at least, to keep adult issues between the two of you and not within earshot of the children. It’s not uncommon for disagreements to arise between a set of parents, whether they are still married or divorced. The key to minimizing stress during the holidays is to agree to keep the children’s best interests in mind and to resolve differences as swiftly and peacefully as possible.
Following a divorce, there might come a time when you decide that you want to start dating again. The same is true for your ex. When your goal is to avoid child custody issues during the holidays, it’s best to choose another time of year to introduce a new partner to the family. While the children (and both parents) are still adapting to a new lifestyle, adding too many elements can be too daunting.
Divorce will no doubt change your children’s lives, but it doesn’t have to ruin them. The holidays can still be a joyful, festive time for your family. If a child custody issue arises that you’re unable to resolve on your own, you’ll be doing your children (and yourself) a favor if you reach out for additional support.
]]>A restraining order, also called a protection order, is available to those who are currently in harm’s way. By obtaining a restraining order, you can obtain safety from any individual that is currently threatening you or attempting to hurt you. In most cases, a New Jersey court will grant a restraining order in cases that involve stalking, sexual harassment, domestic abuse or assault. When requesting this type of order, the court will evaluate the situation and determine whether it should require the individual to do some or all of the following:
A restraining order or protective order can also require a person to do certain things, such as conduct regular drug testing, pay child support as ordered, turn over firearms to police, continue making mortgage payments and more. There are both temporary and permanent restraining orders, and the court will determine which is best for the individual situation. A court may also consider an emergency restraining order or criminal protection order in cases where there is an immediate concern about safety.
Restraining orders are sometimes an unfortunate part of contentious or acrimonious family law cases. Regardless of why you may need a restraining order, you will benefit from seeking guidance regarding your legal options as soon as possible. Getting an order can help bring peace of mind during a difficult time, allowing you to take other important steps and make other critical decisions without the threat of harm.
]]>For unmarried parents, it is important to be thoughtful and careful regarding the ways that you parent. Having a strong custody and visitation plan, or simply an organized parenting schedule, is not something only reserved for divorced parents. Each family will benefit from structure and a clear plan, and there are steps to take to ensure that you and the other parent are putting the needs of the kids first.
Parents who were never married may assume that they do not truly need a parenting plan. However, a formalized plan will not only ensure that you and the other parent have reasonable expectations, but it can also ensure that your kids have a set schedule that they can understand. When creating a parenting plan, unmarried parents will benefit from considering the following:
It can be difficult to co-parent, even if the two parents were never married. It is helpful to remember that the goal is to protect the best interests of the children, even when it is difficult. To make co-parenting easier, both parents will need to commit to being forgiving, respectful and willing to communicate with each other.
If you are unsure of how to create a meaningful parenting plan that will work for you and your kids for years to come, you may benefit from seeking professional guidance and support. An assessment of your current situation can provide you with insight regarding the terms you will need for your parenting and custody plan. This is an important and meaningful step for New Jersey parents who were never married but are parenting together.
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