Some New Jersey parents may be familiar with the term "parental alienation". First described by a child psychiatrist in the 1980s, it originally referred to what he saw as a rash of false claims by divorced mothers that the father of their children was sexually abusing them. In his view, many of these mothers were attempting to alienate their children from their fathers. While the claim appears now in gender-neutral contexts, some experts say there is no science behind it and that it can lead to children being placed with abusive parents in custody battles.
How to co-parent successfully after divorce
In most situations, parents in New Jersey who get a divorce must also work out a plan for co-parenting. Co-parenting can be one of the most difficult parts of a divorce, but it is important to children's well-being.
Temporary custody can help families in challenging times
When New Jersey parents decide to divorce, they may determine a temporary custody agreement while a permanent child custody order is being decided. These types of temporary orders can be determined by a court in the best interests of the child. While this is the most common use of temporary custody orders, there are other reasons why a child may be placed temporarily in the custody of a party other than the parents. For example, parents who are unable to afford care for their child may want to provide temporary legal custody to a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative, along with the legal authority to make decisions for the child.
How to successfully co-parent with a toxic ex-spouse
Parenting after a divorce has its challenges. This is especially the case when one of the co-parents is a narcissist or toxic person. New Jersey residents may be interested in learning some helpful tips that can help them as they try to put their children's best interests first and avoid power struggles with a toxic co-parent.
Is it easier to obtain custody as a stay-at-home father?
Ideally, family courts in New Jersey should make custody decisions on the basis of what is in your child's best interest. According to this principle you, as a father, should not have difficulty obtaining joint custody of your child because the law generally presumes that is in the child's best interest unless there is particular evidence to the contrary.
Do grandparents have visitation rights in New Jersey?
According to LiveAbout, prior to 1993, New Jersey's grandparent visitation statute only granted grandparents visitation rights when the parents were divorced, separated or deceased. However, that year the courts removed all three stipulations, thereby allowing grandparents to sue for visitation of children living in nuclear families. This was a win for grandparents but a short-lived one. In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a fit parent who cut off the relationship between a child and grandparent is presumed to have acted in the best interests of the child. Since that decision, the courts have called into question the constitutionality of New Jersey's grandparent visitation laws on several occasions.
What are the remedies for parenting time issues?
One of the hardest parts of a divorce is dealing with parenting issues. Having tow separate homes can make things more difficult. That is why the courts in New Jersey want you to work together with your ex-spouse to create a parenting plan that outlines your visitation and custody. If you follow the plan, things should go smoothly and everyone should be happy. However, issues do come up. Two common issues are interference and not using parenting time.
What parents need to do after a divorce
Parents in New Jersey or any other state who get divorced may consider themselves to be in an awkward position. While their marriage is over, their relationship with a former spouse is not. This is because they will need to work together to raise their kids. This can be done by making sure that a child is not placed in the middle of any dispute between the two parents.
Tips for creating an effective parenting plan
Parents know their children's schedules better than anyone else. When a New Jersey couple splits up, however, the most effective way for children to maintain a relationship with both parents is by following a visitation plan. In divorce, this plan could be presented to the court and become a part of the divorce decree. Making significant changes to it might require returning to court. There are some things parents should consider when setting up a schedule for their children after one parent moves out of the family home.
Parental Alienation: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Custody Battle
Celebrities Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie appeared in the news last week as their child custody battle continues. The newest development in their court case is a court order stating that Angelina is in danger of losing custody if the children's relationship with Brad does not improve. Based on the children's deteriorating relationship with their father, it appears that Angelina may be taking part in behavior known as parental alienation.