When you decide to divorce, you know that this will affect your New Jersey family in many different ways, including your children. Ending your marriage will bring significant changes to the everyday lives of your kids, and one of your main priorities may be to minimize the harm a divorce could do to their mental and emotional well-being. The decisions you make regarding child custody and visitation will affect your family long-term, and it is prudent to think carefully about how your choices could impact your loved ones in the future.
Custody is a complex and emotionally challenging issue to navigate during your divorce. Children often do best when they are able to have equitable access to both parents, but this is not always easy to accomplish. When making choices related to custody, you will benefit from considering how you can protect the best interests of your children above all else.
You can control custody decisions
In many cases, a family court will make the decision on child custody. The court will consider factors that include the capabilities of each parent, preferences of the children, health needs of the kids and much more. In the past, courts often gave preference to mothers, but that is no longer the standard. Kids will benefit when allowed to maintain strong relationships with both parents, and courts are now more likely to recognize that joint custody is often the best for children. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to custody matters.
If you and the other parent are able to do so, it is possible to resolve custody matters outside of court. Two parents can work together to create a parenting plan that allows them to provide their kids with stability and security long-term. If you believe this will work for your individual situation, this gives you the opportunity to create custody and visitation solutions that are custom-tailored to the needs of your kids and what will work best for your family.
The best approach for your custody order
In order to create the best custody order for your family, it may require you to set aside your own personal feelings and emotions in order to make decisions that will truly benefit your children. By creating a strong and thoughtful custody order, you can provide your kids with stability and security for years to come. It may be helpful to seek an assessment of your case and understanding of your options before you make any important decisions.