The coronavirus pandemic has completely changed our way of life, and not for the better. However, we are resilient, and we have learned to make do with the new normal. Because of the many child custody/parenting time concerns that we have seen amongst divorced co-parents in the wake of the coronavirus, individuals and their attorneys are finding new ways to spend time with their children, even if they cannot see them in person for a certain period of time. Please continue reading and speak with our experienced Bergen County family law attorneys to learn more about child custody and how our firm can help you and your former spouse make an arrangement that works for everyone via video chats/virtual visits with your child. Here are some of the questions you may have:
How do New Jersey courts determine child custody/parenting time?
New Jersey courts consider a wide range of factors when determining child custody, however, the most important factor is your child’s best interests. For this very reason, though it may be tempting to see your child even if there is something going on in your life that may impact the visit negatively, such as having an illness of some sort, it is your duty to account for this and modify your visit in some way. You can do so by including video chats/virtual visits in your parenting time plan. This will allow you to spend time with your child while ensuring your child is safe at all times.
Some Tips for Virtual Visits/Video Chats With Your Child
- Keep in mind that these visits are in your child’s best interests, so even if the timing of the visit is not most convenient for you, you should still have the visit at your child’s convenience.
- You can do various things in your virtual visit with your child. For instance, you can play games, you can read together, you can assist your child with his or her homework, or, of course, you can simply talk with your child. This is you and your child’s time, so you should use it as you please.
- If you are planning on video chatting with your child, the child’s other parent need not be in the room at all times, or otherwise listening in on the conversation. Of course, if you are all fine with this, that’s a different story, however, you should be able to talk freely and openly with your child.
- Finally, keep in mind that these visits are not intended to serve as a permanent replacement for in-person visits, as those, of course, mean the most to your child.
Contact our experienced Bergen County firm
At Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients to understand and protect their legal rights before, during, and after the divorce process in towns across New Jersey and Bergen County, including Hackensack, Ridgewood, Paramus, Teaneck, and Fort Lee. To speak with our team of divorce lawyers today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your concerns about your divorce, please contact us online, or through our Hackensack, NJ office at (201) 397-1750.
