Family law matters are much more than legal issues that need to be resolved. They involve relationships with romantic partners, children, and often touch every member of a family, such as grandparents, in one way or another. For this reason, you need a competent and skilled attorney in your corner whom you can trust to effectively handle your family law matter and ensure your interests are protected at every turn. Fortunately, if you’re reading this, you’re in the right place. For over two decades, the Law Office of Stephanie Albrecht-Pedrick, LLC has fought for individuals in New Jersey facing complex family law matters, and we’re here to fight for you, too. Contact a skilled Atlantic County family lawyer from our firm today so we can get started working on your case.

Our Family Law Services

Child Custody

Child custody is very often the most emotionally charged issue in any family law case. This is because, rather obviously, no parent wants to feel as though he or she is losing valuable time with a child.

New Jersey courts determine child custody matters according to what is known as the “best interests of the child” standard. This means that the court’s primary concern is not what is easiest for either parent, nor is it what either parent may personally prefer. Instead, the court’s primary concern is ensuring that the child is placed in a situation that promotes stability, safety, and overall well-being.

There are two primary forms of custody in New Jersey. They are as follows:

Legal custody, which concerns a parent’s ability to make major decisions regarding:
Education
Medical treatment
Religious upbringing
Extracurricular activities
Physical custody, which concerns where the child primarily resides.

Custody arrangements may include:

Joint legal custody
Sole legal custody
Shared physical custody
Primary residential custody with parenting time for the non-custodial parent

When determining custody, Atlantic County courts will frequently consider several factors, including:

Each parent’s ability to communicate and cooperate
The relationship between each parent and the child
The stability of each parent’s home environment
The needs of the child
Any history of domestic violence
The preferences of older children, provided they are mature enough for those preferences to be considered

Generally speaking, New Jersey courts prefer arrangements that allow children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents whenever possible.

Child Support

One of the biggest concerns parents have during and after divorce is determining how child support will work.

Child support in New Jersey is generally calculated under the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines are intended to fairly distribute the financial cost of raising a child between both parents so that the child does not suffer financially simply because his or her parents are no longer together. Some of the factors courts consider when calculating child support are as follows:

The income of both parents
The number of children involved
Childcare expenses
Health insurance costs
Parenting time arrangements
Educational expenses
Certain extraordinary expenses related to the child

Many people assume that child support automatically ends when a child turns eighteen years old. Fortunately, this is not always the case.

In many situations, child support may continue if a child:

Is enrolled in college on a full-time basis
Has a disability or special needs
Continues to remain financially dependent upon his or her parents

Child support obligations continue until a child becomes emancipated under New Jersey law, though disputes over emancipation are not uncommon and frequently require court involvement.

Relocation

Life changes. People receive new jobs, remarry, move closer to family members, or simply seek opportunities elsewhere. Unfortunately, when children are involved, relocation can become significantly more complicated.

If one parent wishes to relocate with a child and the move would substantially interfere with the other parent’s parenting time, court approval may become necessary if the parents cannot agree on the move themselves.

When determining whether relocation should be permitted, New Jersey courts will generally consider factors such as:

The reason for the proposed relocation
Educational opportunities in the new location
The impact the move may have on the child’s relationship with the other parent
The feasibility of maintaining parenting time
The overall best interests of the child

College Expenses

One of the most common disputes parents face after separation or divorce concerns who will pay for a child’s college education.

Unlike many states, New Jersey courts may require one or both parents to contribute toward higher education expenses, even after a child reaches the age of majority. Whether a parent will be required to contribute depends on the specific circumstances of the case.

When deciding whether college contributions are appropriate, courts may consider factors such as:

Each parent’s financial resources
The child’s aptitude and commitment to higher education
The cost of the chosen school
The availability of financial aid, scholarships, and grants
The standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the family remained intact
The relationship between the child and each parent

Disputes involving college expenses often arise long after a divorce has been finalized. Whether you are seeking contribution from the other parent or contesting an unreasonable request, having an experienced family lawyer in your corner can help protect your financial interests.

Prenuptial Agreements

Contrary to popular belief, prenuptial agreements are not reserved exclusively for celebrities, business owners, or extremely wealthy individuals.

In fact, many couples throughout New Jersey choose to enter into prenuptial agreements simply because they wish to clarify financial expectations and avoid future disputes. A prenuptial agreement may address issues involving:

Separate property
Retirement accounts
Business interests
Debt allocation
Spousal support rights in certain circumstances

For a New Jersey prenuptial agreement to be enforceable, several requirements generally must be satisfied. They include:

Full financial disclosure
Voluntary execution of the agreement
Adequate time for review before the wedding
Compliance with New Jersey law

That being said, improperly drafted agreements are frequently challenged during divorce proceedings, which is why careful preparation is often essential.

Post-Judgment Modifications

Many people mistakenly believe that once a divorce judgment is entered, all issues become permanent and can never be revisited.

Fortunately, this is not necessarily true.

As life goes on, circumstances change, and sometimes considerably so. New Jersey courts recognize this reality and allow parties to request modifications when substantial changes in circumstances occur.

Some examples of circumstances that may justify a modification include the following:

Job loss
Serious illness
Disability
Retirement
Significant income changes
Changes in a child’s needs
Relocation

Orders that may potentially be modified include:

Child support
Alimony
Parenting time
Custody arrangements

The party requesting the modification must demonstrate that the change in circumstances is substantial, continuing, and was not anticipated at the time the original order was entered.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence allegations can have immediate and extremely serious consequences for everyone involved.

Under New Jersey’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, individuals may seek legal protection from conduct including:

Assault
Harassment
Stalking
Terroristic threats
Criminal restraint
Sexual assault
Criminal mischief

Victims may seek a Temporary Restraining Order, commonly referred to as a TRO, often on an emergency basis.

If a TRO is entered, a hearing will subsequently be scheduled to determine whether a Final Restraining Order should remain in place.

Restraining orders can affect several aspects of a person’s life, including:

Child custody
Parenting time
Possession of the marital residence
Firearm ownership rights
Future family court proceedings

LGBTQ Family Law

Family law issues affect families of every structure and background, and New Jersey courts regularly address issues involving LGBTQ individuals and families. Some of the family law matters commonly affecting LGBTQ families are as follows:

Divorce proceedings
Child custody disputes
Adoption matters
Assisted reproduction issues
Parentage disputes
Parenting agreements

Though marriage equality resolved many legal issues for same-sex couples, unique issues can still arise regarding legal parentage and parental rights, particularly in situations involving assisted reproductive technology or non-biological parents.

For this reason, ensuring that parental rights are legally recognized can be extremely important for protecting both parents and children moving forward. A family lawyer from our firm can help ensure your rights and interests are protected.

Emancipation

Many parents assume that child support automatically ends when a child turns eighteen. However, under New Jersey law, that is not always the case.

A child is generally considered emancipated when he or she has become financially independent and is no longer dependent upon either parent for support. Determining whether emancipation has occurred is often more complicated than many people realize.

Emancipation disputes commonly involve situations where a child:

Is attending college full time
Has graduated and entered the workforce
Has joined the military
Has married
Has a disability or other circumstances that require continued financial support

Whether you are seeking to terminate child support because your child has become emancipated or opposing an emancipation application because continued support is appropriate, an experienced family lawyer can help protect your rights.

Guardianship for Adults

When an adult is no longer able to make important personal, financial, or medical decisions due to a disability, illness, or diminished capacity, it may become necessary for a court to appoint a legal guardian.

Adult guardianship proceedings can help ensure that vulnerable individuals receive appropriate care while protecting their legal rights and personal well-being.

Depending on the circumstances, a guardian may be responsible for matters involving:

Medical and healthcare decisions
Financial management
Living arrangements
Government benefits
Personal care and daily needs

Contact a Family Lawyer in Atlantic County, New Jersey

The bottom line is that if you are facing divorce, child custody, support, paternity, domestic violence, or any other family law matter, it is important to speak with an experienced family lawyer who can evaluate your situation and work toward the best possible outcome on your behalf. Contact The Law Office of Stephanie Albrecht-Pedrick, LLC for an initial consultation today so we can discuss your case.