Parenting after a separation or divorce presents many challenges. The entire family has to adjust to new custody and living arrangements, and financial issues that were once under one roof are now split up. The loss of a job or a significant financial setback after a custody order is in place can add additional stress to the situation and may affect custody arrangements, forcing kids to shuffle around once more.

The Lento Law Firm can help you understand how a sudden job loss or personal financial crisis can impact your child custody arrangement. Our Family Law Team has years of experience successfully representing clients on child custody and support matters throughout New Jersey. Contact us at 888-535-3686, or submit a confidential online consultation form.

How Child Custody Is Determined in New Jersey

In New Jersey, courts address several issues when it comes to child custody. Physical custody, which is where the child lives; legal custody, which involves the ability to make decisions for the child; and whether the arrangement between the parents is shared, joint, or sole custody, are all issues that family courts have to sort out and decide when families break apart.

In deciding these issues, courts will focus on the best interest of the child or children involved. When determining best interests, courts will consider many factors, including the child's age, the child's schooling, whether the child has any special needs, how close the parents live to one another, whether the child prefers to live with one parent over the other, and how well the parents get along and work together, in addition to the parent's employment and income.

How a Parent's Job Loss or Financial Setback Might Affect Their Child Custody Arrangement

It's possible that a parent's sudden unemployment or financial hardship could affect their custody arrangement. If the job loss or financial setback prevents a parent from meeting the child's needs or fulfilling their custodial obligations, then it's possible that a court could determine that changing the custody arrangement would be in the child's best interest.

The court would look at other factors as well, but it's indisputable that a parent's financial crisis or unemployment could have a drastic effect on the child's education, lifestyle, housing, and overall quality of life.

The Lento Law Firm Can Help Parents Whose Unemployment or Financial Hardship Threatens Their Child Custody

If you've suffered a financial setback or sudden job loss, in addition to worrying about making ends meet, you might also be concerned that your child custody arrangement might be affected. You're afraid that you could possibly lose your kids. The stakes couldn't be higher, and it's an extremely complicated matter that you shouldn't try to handle on your own. The experienced Family Law Team at The Lento Law Firm can help you during this difficult time. We'll assess your case and fight to ensure that your custody rights are protected. Contact us at 888-535-3686 or submit a confidential online consultation form.