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New Jersey Child Custody Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: How to relinquish parental rights and not pay child support?
Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Dec 18, 2024

There are settings where one parent is willing to release the other parent from financial responsibility for the support of their child in exchange for the other parent's termination of relationship with the child (generally, when the other parent has a longer-term relationship, and that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I don't want to change the custody schedule, but do I have grounds to file emergency custody for violating?

Me and my coparent has joint custody and a custody agreement through a civil restraint. Not filed through family court. We have a 3-4 weekly schedule. My coparent just took our child on an out of state vacation that I did not agree to. The only guild lines that our agreement have are "As for... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Dec 1, 2024

Probably the one thing that you and your ex need to do is print out the holiday schedule and identify the rotation between you and your ex. I presume that the holiday schedule includes Thanksgiving, which was on Thursday the 28th and probably, under the holiday schedule, it says that same starts on... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Domestic Violence and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I received papers from a fake custody lawsuit from my ex husband, whom I have a restraining order against.

Is it a violation of the restraining order? I prepared a full counterclaim, but then I called the family court and there was nothing filed. He faked a lawsuit to communicate with me, wrote a lot of absurd things. Is it harassment?

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Nov 21, 2024

The fact that the court system has told you that it does not have his application in the system (at this moment) does not mean that his application is a fake.

Presuming that he legitimately filed an application but failed to pay the filing fee or failed in any of a million other ways, the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Domestic Violence and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I received papers from a fake custody lawsuit from my ex husband, whom I have a restraining order against.

Is it a violation of the restraining order? I prepared a full counterclaim, but then I called the family court and there was nothing filed. He faked a lawsuit to communicate with me, wrote a lot of absurd things. Is it harassment?

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Nov 21, 2024

Yes this is harassment which is a violation of the restraining order. Do you have a Temporary Restraining Order(TRO) or a Final Restraining Order (FRO)? If you have an only a TRO you need to to retain an experienced matrimonial attorney who has extensive domestic violence trial experience to obtain... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Hiding assets overseas in divorce matter.

My spouse closed his bank accounts overseas and failing to disclose all of his assets and personal businesses. We’ve subpoenaed the bank but no response. Thus his discovery was very vague and empty. Is there a way to force this information to come to light? I will add that my judge is not helpful... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 29, 2024

It sounds like you have a lawyer representing you and your lawyer is attempting to get documents for accounts you believe existed at some point in the past. If you have documentary proof of the existence of those accounts, give those documents to your lawyer so that your lawyer can ask the court to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: I’m married with a 4 year old child. My wife wants to separate. move to Florida and take my daughter. She wants me to

Honor her wish without me fighting for my daughter to be close to both of us. I’m willing to let her go but not permanently. How should I handle this

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Apr 18, 2024

This sounds like a difficult decision at an emotionally charged time. I would strongly recommend taking a pause before consenting to the move. When parties are going through a divorce, it can sometimes feel easiest in the short term to just agree and minimize conflict. However, long-term, just... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: I’m married with a 4 year old child. My wife wants to separate. move to Florida and take my daughter. She wants me to

Honor her wish without me fighting for my daughter to be close to both of us. I’m willing to let her go but not permanently. How should I handle this

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Apr 14, 2024

This could be done straightforward basis except for the part about it not being permanent. After about 1 year, the child's home state becomes FL. and your chances of achieving your objective diminish substantially. You should probably rethink this entire situation. There is no easy answer and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Cannabis & Marijuana Law, Child Custody and Civil Litigation for New Jersey on
Q: Do I have to cooperate with CPS when they are investigating me based off of an allegation from school?

The case worker interviewed my children at school. Didn't contact or attempt to show up to my home for 6 days, she stated it w because she was not concerned, after speaking with children and did not see any need for emergency steps. said it's open and shut, she had no concerns The CPS... View More

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Mar 19, 2024

From your description, it sounds like DCPP (the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, New Jersey's child protective services branch) is conducting an initial investigation into allegations of possible abuse or neglect. If this is an initial investigation, you are not necessarily... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Cannabis & Marijuana Law, Child Custody and Civil Litigation for New Jersey on
Q: Do I have to cooperate with CPS when they are investigating me based off of an allegation from school?

The case worker interviewed my children at school. Didn't contact or attempt to show up to my home for 6 days, she stated it w because she was not concerned, after speaking with children and did not see any need for emergency steps. said it's open and shut, she had no concerns The CPS... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 26, 2024

When dealing with Child Protective Services (CPS), it's essential to understand your rights and the potential consequences of your actions. Cooperation with CPS can be critical, as they have the authority to investigate allegations of child neglect or abuse. However, you are also entitled to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: Can I move out of the house with my kids before a divorce or agreement? Or would it be abandonment I live in NJ

Married 8 yrs living together 16. 2 kids 9 & 11 yrs old. The house is only under my husbands name but was bought right after my youngest son was born but before we got married, he doesn’t work(hasn’t for a few yrs) I pay the mortgage (I give him the money cash) and also pay bills thru my... View More

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Mar 12, 2024

Abandonment or desertion is a fault-based ground for divorce in New Jersey. It is defined by statute (N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2) as "willful and continued desertion" for a term of 12 months or longer. One way to establish abandonment as a fault-based ground for divorce is by providing proof that... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New Jersey on
Q: Why after 7 years of being a fit mother and filing half a dozen times for joint custody, I still don't have it?

award me joint custody of our daughter? I've been accused of doing drugs, which I disproved over and over with clean hair follicle tests, having my child withheld whenever the father feels like changing the schedule. Also, when my daughter was a baby and I asked the judge when I can raise... View More

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Mar 12, 2024

In order to file for a modification or change to a preexisting custody order, the moving party needs to demonstrate that circumstances have changed since the prior order and that the current custody/parenting time schedule is no longer in the child's best interests. Depending on the facts and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New Jersey on
Q: Why after 7 years of being a fit mother and filing half a dozen times for joint custody, I still don't have it?

award me joint custody of our daughter? I've been accused of doing drugs, which I disproved over and over with clean hair follicle tests, having my child withheld whenever the father feels like changing the schedule. Also, when my daughter was a baby and I asked the judge when I can raise... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Feb 16, 2024

I understand your frustration but there are pieces to this story that are missing and the best advice I can give you is to sit down with an experienced divorce lawyer to review the history of the court orders entered in your matter and review the certifications filed in support of your requests and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Juvenile Law for New Jersey on
Q: My dad kicked me out of the house at 17 but won't let me proceed with adult measures. What do I do?

I became pregnant at 17 and made my dad aware. He told me that if I kept the baby, I would be out of the house but if I got rid of the baby, I could stay. I decided to keep the baby but asked if I could stay at least until I finished school and he continued to say that if I kept the baby, I would... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jan 28, 2024

You need to meet with a social service worker from the county where you lived while living with your dad to find out what resources are available to you for healthcare, schooling, housing, etc to be able to finish school and for the baby's benefit. I would also talk with the father of your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: I have joint custody of the children. My adversary hasn't consulted with anything, now ask me to pay for all expenses

I have joint custody of the children, but my adversary hasn't consulted me on any decisions since our divorce.

Without my input, she chose an expensive out-of-state school for our son. Recently, she filed a motion seeking me to cover all college and additional expenses. Do I stand a... View More

Bari Weinberger
Bari Weinberger
answered on Feb 6, 2024

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear you are going through this stressful time. In a situation like the one you describe, contesting such an issue is certainly possible but succeeding in same depends on a getting more parenting time could be possible, however this would be based upon a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: I have joint custody of the children. My adversary hasn't consulted with anything, now ask me to pay for all expenses

I have joint custody of the children, but my adversary hasn't consulted me on any decisions since our divorce.

Without my input, she chose an expensive out-of-state school for our son. Recently, she filed a motion seeking me to cover all college and additional expenses. Do I stand a... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jan 24, 2024

You NEED to meet with an experienced divorce lawyer and have him prepare your opposition paperwork and your cross application addressing your ex's failure / refusal to cooperate with your rights as a joint legal parent under the terms of your agreement. Simply walking into court and thinking... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Constitutional Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can the father of his pregnant minor daughter put the daughter's boyfriend on child support when the baby is born?

I'm currently 17 years old and I recently told my father I was pregnant. He's pushing abortion pretty hard but that's not my choice. The father of the baby is very involved and is currently 18. My father has given me an ultimatum: if I don't abort the baby, I'm to not be in... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

In your situation, it's important to understand that parental rights and responsibilities primarily rest with the biological parents of the child, not the grandparents. Once your baby is born, you and your boyfriend, as the biological parents, are the primary individuals responsible for the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: could moving to a different state and changing the custody schedule be construed as child abandonment.

current custody schedule is one week on one week off. Both guardians live in the same state. One will relocate for a job out of state.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jan 7, 2024

Both parents / guardians for a child live in NJ and share physical custody of the child equally and now 1 parent / guardian wants to relocate out of state and change the custody / parenting time plan - does the other parent / guardian agree to the other parent / guardian moving out of state and if... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: could moving to a different state and changing the custody schedule be construed as child abandonment.

current custody schedule is one week on one week off. Both guardians live in the same state. One will relocate for a job out of state.

Bari Weinberger
Bari Weinberger
answered on Jan 8, 2024

Thank you for your question. As a general rule, a parent cannot move out of the state with a child unless both parties agree in writing or the parent is authorized to move out of the State by the Court. Relocation is a very fact-sensitive question and I highly recommend that you schedule a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Domestic Violence and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Greetings, I filed a restraining order on the father of my child who we have a dv history since 2012 to 17

Greetings,

I filed a restraining order on the father of my child who we have a dv history since 2012 to 17 At the present time my daughter is residing with defendant temporary from court. In bergen county nj. The restraining order is in full affect still and judge told defendant that he can... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 15, 2023

The only way to resolve this matter is to retain an experienced matrimonial attorney who has extensive domestic violence trial experience. In determining your choice of an attorney, there are many factors to consider, including but not limited to and you should look at how the attorney is ranked on... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Litigation for New Jersey on
Q: My son won't let me see my grandson? I'm live in NJ, do I have a right to see him??

My son isn't married but lives with the mother of his son and she doesn't like me..she has my son convinced I'm teaching my grandson curse words (he is 3 and repeats everything) and I've told my son I never curse in front of him and instead I'm always correcting my son and... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Nov 15, 2023

Under N.J.S.A. 9:2-7.1(b), the following factors must be considered by the court in a grandparent visitation matter:

(1) The relationship between the child and the applicant;

(2) The relationship between each of the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing...
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