Custody Decisions Can Be Tough, But I Am Here To Help

Coordinating a parenting plan is often the most emotionally challenging aspect of every divorce. When your child is involved, you want to do what is best for their interests, while also protecting your rights as a parent. I am Melinda L. Singer, Esquire, and as a certified matrimonial law attorney, I dedicate my time and continuing education to helping families across New Jersey find peace in these challenging family law matters:

• Child support: Guiding parents on including financial support for their children during divorce

• Co-parenting issues: Offering counseling services for unmarried couples who require assistance in navigating child custody arrangements

• Fathers’ rights: Supporting fathers who need help in establishing their parental rights

My law firm has worked on behalf of a variety of clients in heated child custody battles, including high-profile individuals. As a court-appointed family law mediator, I first seek to resolve these sensitive issues amicably. But should the case move to litigation, you need a disciplined, resourceful and seasoned attorney who integrally understands child support, parenting time and custody to protect your parental rights. That is why I approach every case with the highest level of detail and compassion, working toward the best outcome possible for your case.

Looking Out For Your Child’s Best Interests

Family law matters in New Jersey involving children always take into account the child’s best interests. When determining custody, you need to show that your presence in your child’s life only helps your child to grow and prosper. Whether the solution involves joint custody or sole custody with parenting time rights, I always strive to balance your child’s best interests and your rights as their parent, either mother or father.

I work with a wide network of experts to help build your case, from psychologists, psychiatrists, educational experts, parent coordinators, mediators and accountants to private detectives and forensic experts. With so much on the line, these experts can be invaluable in the fight for custody for your child.

Child Custody In New Jersey: Legal Custody Vs. Physical Custody

Custody plans differ tremendously across families in New Jersey, but they often split into two types: legal and physical custody. Legal custody gives a parent the right to decide significant life choices for a child. A judge may order both parents to share this right through joint legal custody, as this promotes involvement with their child’s growth. However, if either parent is unfit, absent or involved in substance abuse, a judge can order sole legal custody to only one parent.

Physical custody refers to a child’s daily living arrangements, which cover feeding, housing and guarding the child. To honor a child’s best interests, the courts encourage parents to have a joint or shared physical custody that splits a child’s residential time between households. Sole physical custody is possible, especially when exposure to both parents can harm a child’s safety.

How New Jersey Courts Determine The Child’s Best Interests

A judge must first evaluate multiple factors, which can include, but are not limited to:

• The parents’ ability to communicate and work together in supporting the child
• The child’s relationship with each parent and their siblings
• The child’s specific needs
• Any history of domestic violence that endangers the physical safety of the child and either parent, as well as the home’s stability
• Factors that maintain the child’s consistent education
• The preferences of the child, especially if they are old and mature enough to make a reasonable choice
• The parents’ proximity to each other, their work schedules and quality time spent with the child before and after separating
• Both parents’ fitness in raising a child

Only after considering these details will the judge have a sense of the custody arrangement that best serves the child’s interests.

Expenses Beyond Basic Child Support

Calculating basic child support in New Jersey often covers a child’s daily essentials like food, clothing and housing. A judge can split other expenses between parents proportional to their income, such as:

• Daycare expenses
• A child’s extracurricular activities, tutoring and special needs costs
• Health insurance premiums of a child

I can help you create a case that considers every facet essential to your child’s growth. With my profound knowledge in family law, I am committed to fighting for fair child support.

I Understand What Is At Stake For You And Your Family

As someone who has been on both sides of the desk in a divorce, I understand the emotional turmoil your family is going through. While many lawyers provide reliable legal counsel, I strive to walk you through the emotional and financial challenges as well. Together, we can work to find intelligent solutions that protect you and your family, and you can move past this difficult time.

You deserve the best. To get started on your case, call my Hackensack office at 201-870-0826, or contact me online. If you choose to retain me after our consultation, the cost of your consultation is built into the retainer.