New Jersey parents generally have a right to remain in their minor children’s lives after a divorce. In some cases, custody is split equally between both parents after their marriages come to an end. However, this is not always the best outcome.
Custody isn’t always about fitness
In the past, it was generally assumed that noncustodial parents were deadbeats or otherwise not capable of taking care of their kids. However, the truth is that they are often responsible and caring people who want what is best for their children. Often, parents are denied custody rights because they have unpredictable work schedules or because they travel a lot for business purposes. Ultimately, they aren’t in a position to be a primary caretaker for reasons that may be beyond their control.
A child’s needs always come first
A parent who has a hard time managing money may not be able to secure stable housing or otherwise provide a stable environment for a son or daughter. It’s also possible that a parent may have a lifestyle that may be too mature or unconventional to be compatible with raising a young child. While this doesn’t mean that a person is incapable of being a loving parent, a judge may decide that awarding joint child custody rights isn’t appropriate. It’s worth noting that split custody may be an option in the future if a parent can establish an ability to provide a suitable environment for the children.
In most cases, a child custody order is crafted based on a number of factors such as your employment status, where you live and your relationship with your son or daughter. A judge will also take any past instances of domestic abuse or other criminal activity into account when making a ruling.