Your family is one of the most important things to you, and when something threatens to impact that—like a family court case—you may feel overwhelmed or confused. There can be a lot to navigate, but you don't have to fight it on your own. A family law expert can work on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome.
Camden County Family Court
In Camden County, the Family Practice Division is responsible for handling all of the family law cases for the county, including juvenile delinquency, parenting time, termination of parental rights, child custody, domestic violence, and a variety of other family-related concerns. Family court also handles restraining orders.
What Do You Need to Know About Restraining Orders in New Jersey?
There are two different types of restraining orders in New Jersey: temporary restraining orders (TROs) and final restraining orders (FROs). Restraining orders are generally issued in an attempt to provide protection to an individual (or individuals) from alleged abuse or violence. As a legal document, they provide clear guidelines about what sort of communication and interaction can occur between the alleged victim and the other individual.
When a restraining order is issued, it is initially issued as a temporary restraining order. There will be an expiration date as well as a hearing date, usually within no more than ten days.
A judge issues a final restraining order if they determine it's necessary at the hearing. A final restraining order comes with more severe consequences than a temporary one. If issued, the police will photograph and fingerprint the named individual and enter them into a statewide database. There's a lot at stake when it comes to restraining orders. Additionally, if you are in the middle of a custody agreement, it could impact child support or custody agreements.
Child Custody in Camden County
Child custody in all of New Jersey offers equal consideration to both parents. This means there is no preference for either the mother or the father. The focus is really on what is in the best interest of the child. There are two specific types of child custody that a child custody determination will account for: physical custody and legal custody. You may hear physical custody referred to as residential custody, and it refers to where the child will live.
There are as many possible custody arrangements as there are families. Physical custody could be set up where one person has sole custody, and the other parent has parenting time (sometimes called visitation rights). Or, physical custody could be equally shared with three days in one location and four days at another. The judge will attempt to ascertain what arrangement most tends to the child's needs.
The second type of custody is legal custody, and this custody determines who gets to make decisions about the child's wellbeing. Legal custody usually includes matters that deal with health or medical, education, and similar sorts of concerns.
How Does a Judge Decide Child Custody Determinations?
As stated, child custody in New Jersey depends on what is in the best interest of the child, above and beyond everything else. In order to uncover what is in the child's best interest, a judge will explore several different areas. They may ask questions about your family circumstances and about a variety of what might appear to be very specific and very private. It's important, however, to be prepared to answer in a way that tends to your biggest concerns and desires for your child.
The judge will want to explore a few different key areas. They may ask some of the following types of questions to help them understand what's best. Here are some examples:
- How does the child interact with each of their parents? What is their relationship like?
- How fit are the parents?
- Prior to the separation (and after), what sort of quality time did the parent spend with their child?
- Is there a history of domestic abuse?
- If the child is of an age where they can make an objective decision, do they have a preference?
- Where are the homes located in relation to the child's school? What will allow for the least disruption and the most stability?
- Does the child have any special needs or accommodations?
Preparing ahead of time for these questions will ensure that you can strategize what is best for you and your loved ones. Preparation ensures you won't be caught off guard, and an experienced family law attorney can help you accomplish this.
Where in Camden County Will Your Family Court Hearing Be Held?
If you have a family court hearing in Camden County, you will need to go to the Camden County Hall of Justice in Camden, New Jersey. The courthouse is located at 101 S. 5th St., Camden, NJ 08103. Double-check your summons to ensure you are headed to the correct spot.
Make sure that you plan ahead for your travel time to get to the courthouse and time to find a parking spot. If your hearing is during rush hour, don't forget to account for that! Once you arrive, connect with your attorney so that you can go over any last-minute review. Being able to have the time to settle in without feeling rushed gets the hearing off to the right start, especially where so much is at stake.
Expert Family Court Camden County Attorney
If you have to attend a family court hearing for any reason, doing so with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney by your side can help qualm any uncertainty or fear that you may feel. They can bring their expertise to your case and strategize about how to best approach any weaknesses and make use of any strengths in your case. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have spent years supporting clients with their family law cases, and they are passionately committed to fighting for the best possible outcome. They won't give up until they accomplish that. With so much at stake for you and your loved ones, don't you want that type of support and assistance? Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact them online for more information about how they can help with your case.
