When divorce tears families apart, life still goes on and children typically benefit from spending time with both parents whenever possible. New Jersey has laws and processes in place for parenting time, i.e. visitation, that grant non-custodial parents time with their children. Intent on promoting the child’s best interests, the Family Court believes both parents should be involved. If you face the likelihood of being the non-custodial parent, please read on, then contact one of our experienced parenting time and visitation attorneys in Bergen County, NJ to learn what supervised visitation is in the state of New Jersey.
Does New Jersey have supervised visitation?
In New Jersey, the Family Court will almost always aim to give each party a fair amount of “parenting time.” The term “parenting time” is identical, but preferable to “visitation.” However, visitation falsely implies that the parent is merely visiting the child and not caring for him or her as a parent. Nonetheless, the following are factors that go into determining parenting time:
- Parents’ willingness to communicate and cooperate with respect to parenting issues
- Whether there is a history of reluctance to allow parenting time, unless there are legitimate concerns, such as abuse
- Child’s relationship with their parents and siblings
- The child’s preference, if the court deems them mature enough to make this decision
- Stability of the parents’ residences
- Child’s educational needs
- The proximity of the parents, i.e. time and expense of transportation between the two parents
- Frequency and quality of time spent with each parent before and after the separation
- Employment responsibilities of each parent
That said, New Jersey will order supervised visitation if the case at hand warrants it.
When is supervised visitation employed?
Under New Jersey Status 2A: 12-7, the Family Court will order supervised visitation if there has been a documented history of one or more of the following:
- Child abuse
- Medical disabilities
- Psychiatric problem
- Other situations where the safety and welfare of the child may be jeopardized
Even if the Family Court has ordered supervised visitation, you have the ability to modify it if circumstances change. Either way, you should reach out to one of our skilled child custody attorneys in Bergen County, NJ to discuss your next steps.
Let us handle the legal work, so you can focus on raising your children. Please give us a call today.
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.
