| Title 9 of the New Jersey Permanent Statues | | | | both parents after a separation. This should be |
| contains the laws about child custody for the state. | | | | reflected in the custody and visitation schedule. Either |
| This is imperative information for parents who are | | | | parent may be awarded custody (also found in this |
| involved in a custody situation, and parents should | | | | chapter of the code), and the parent who doesn't |
| pay particular attention to these statutes when they | | | | have custody should have substantial and significant |
| are in the process of creating their child custody and | | | | visitation time with the child. |
| visitation schedule. These laws provide the guidelines | | | | 3. Everything should be done in the child's best |
| that the mother and father should follow to make a | | | | interest. The state of New Jersey has proclaimed |
| schedule that the law will uphold. Here are some | | | | outright that any child custody decision will be made |
| highlights of the New Jersey laws concerning custody | | | | with the child's best welfare in mind. These are the |
| and visitation schedules. | | | | factors, contained in the law, that the judge will |
| 1. The Superior Court in New Jersey has jurisdiction | | | | consider when determining what the best interest will |
| over custody matters. The Superior Court has | | | | be: the parents' ability to agree, communicate and |
| authority to make decisions about the minor child if | | | | cooperate; the parents' willingness to accept custody |
| the parents are living separate or divorced. This is | | | | and any history of denying the other parent |
| also the court where parents must submit their | | | | visitation; the interaction and interrelationship of the |
| custody and visitation schedules. If the parents agree | | | | child with parents and siblings; any history of |
| on the schedule, they can file it jointly to the court | | | | domestic violence; the preference of the child; the |
| and the judge will look it over and most likely accept | | | | needs of the child; the stability of the home |
| it. When parents are unable to agree, the mother and | | | | environment; the child's education; the fitness of the |
| father must prepare a case to show the court. The | | | | parents; the location of the parents' homes; the roles |
| judge will then determine the custody arrangements. | | | | of the parents before the separation; the parents' |
| 2. Children should have frequent and continuing | | | | employment responsibilities; and the age and number |
| contact with both parents after the parents | | | | of children. Parents should use these factors to guide |
| separate. In Chapters 2-4 of Title 9 in the New | | | | them as they create the child custody and visitation |
| Jersey Statutes, the state makes it very clear that it | | | | schedule. |
| considers the child's best interest to be involved with | | | | |