New Jersey parents who also have substance abuse problems might not be denied access to their children in a divorce due to that issue. Courts will consider several factors and will work from the assumption that most of the time, children are better off having contact with both parents.
Proposed laws may make parenting time more equitable
Research has long shown the negative effects of divorce on children in New Jersey and across the country. However, recent studies have found that children of divorced parents who spend a considerable amount of time in both homes are less impacted by their parents' divorce. In light of the new research, many state legislatures have been revisiting the family court rules regarding custody and parenting time.
Study reveals the most stress-free child custody arrangement
New Jersey parents may be interested in some research out of Sweden that may shed light on the best course of action regarding child custody issues. The study looked at the amount of stress that children in different custody arrangements faced, with surprising results.
Illness and divorce in New Jersey
According to a study recently published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, couples were 6 percent more likely to divorce if the wife became ill. When a husband had an illness, conversely, it did not lead to any corresponding increase. There were some theories offered as to why this may have been the case.
Divorce rates among doctors
For New Jersey residents thinking about going to medical school, the idea that doctors often end up divorced due to their workload may have crossed their minds. However, the results of a study published on Feb. 19 showed that this may not be the case; in fact, the results suggest that doctors are actually less likely to divorce than other professionals in the health care industry.
Unmarried fathers and parental rights
Unmarried biological fathers in New Jersey have a right to access to their children unless that contact is in some way harmful to the children. Courts use the guidelines of the child's best interests in order to determine custody and visitation schedules. For an unmarried father, the first step in getting this access is establishing paternity.
Tax deductions after divorce
As New Jersey residents may know, there are many things to consider when contemplating divorce. One of those considerations is who may take the income tax exemption for the children when filing returns.
Requesting a name change during divorce
When many New Jersey residents decide to get married, one spouse may wish to change their last name to match the last name of their spouse. However, if the couple decides to get a divorce down the road, the spouse that changed their name may wish to have their maiden name restored.
How do New Jersey courts decide on the custody of a child?
Child custody laws generally instruct the courts on visitation rules, whether parents can seek joint custody and how to order custody. The courts must consider several factors to determine the custody of a child. However, parents may also create parenting plans for the courts to accept or request modifications.
Domestic partnership dissolution in New Jersey
When a couple dissolves their domestic partnership, their status will become as it was prior to entering into the partnership in the first place. Domestic partners must still go through the same types of issues that a divorcing couple does, including property division, child custody issues and support. Unfortunately, the protections afforded to divorcing married couples are not available to those dissolving domestic partnerships under certain circumstances.
