Westville, NJ asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey

Q: Is it possible to have joint custody or share custody of my nephew with my sister(his mother)? Or would I adopt him?

We live in NJ. The father didn’t sign the birth certificate, and has never paid child support or been around my nephew. How we we begin this process?? Or where would we look to start?? She is in agreement with the entire thing and and want to share in all of the decision making etc.

1 Lawyer Answer
Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Short Hills, NJ
  • Licensed in New Jersey

A: The biggest issue is the nature of your relationship with your sister. Is your sister seeking or willing to agree to share parenting time and decision making with you or are you looking for your nephew to live with you and you make all of the decisions concerning your nephew? If you are seeking the later, the next issue is whether your sister is in agreement or will fight you on it. Presuming its the later, you need to sit down with an experienced family lawyer attorney to discuss your rights and the limitations on it as well.

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