New Jersey Infant Custody Lawyer
When a divorce case involves minor children, deciding custody is a priority. This process can become even more complex when parents are planning custody arrangements for an infant child. Because the baby is in their earliest stages of development, there are several crucial factors that must be considered to ensure that they maintain a healthy relationship with both parents as they grow.
A baby’s needs will change constantly over the years, and custody arrangements should be planned accordingly. A New Jersey infant custody lawyer can work with a divorcing parent to ensure that all agreements reflect their child’s best interests while also protecting their visitation rights. Reach out to a skilled custody lawyer to learn more.
Unique Factors in Infant Custody Cases
When determining parenting rights, a judge’s goal is to assess what custody arrangement would be in the best interests of the child. Parenting skills, employment obligations, and the health of the parents will all be considered by the court when deciding the outcome of a custody case. When it comes to infant custody, there are a few unique factors that need to be accounted for.
Frequent Contact
One of the most important things to consider when planning infant custody arrangements is the amount of time that the child will be able to spend with both parents. An infant should have a steady routine that involves frequent contact with both parents to ensure the child develops comfortably with both the primary caregiver and the non-custodial parent.
For example, rather than having the non-custodial parent visit the child once a week for an extended period of time, it is more beneficial for the baby’s development to have three or four visits per week, even if it is just for a couple of hours each time. This can also prevent the infant from developing separation anxiety.
Feeding Methods
Another common cause of controversy in deciding custody of an infant is feeding methods. There are very few states that have specific legislation addressing how breastfeeding should affect child custody arrangements; however, this is something that a New Jersey family court will consider when determining what is in the best interests of an infant child, even if there is no specific state law governing it. It is difficult to use an overarching rule for how different feeding methods will affect child custody, because it varies from child to child. While some babies will only accept being breastfed, known as “momma only,” some infants have no problem going back and forth between being bottle fed and breastfed.
Consequently, it is important to work visitation schedules around the baby’s feeding times, which are going to be very frequent. Although the periods between feeding will get longer and easier to handle as the baby grows, it is important to specify all feeding method stipulations in the infant custody plan.
Let a Skilled New Jersey Attorney Help with Infant Custody Disputes
Every custody case is unique. Without proper representation, you may wind up with an infant custody order that does not reflect the nuances of your family situation or protect your rights as a parent.
The dedicated legal team at Moskowitz Law Group has experience in infant custody disputes and can ensure that your rights as a parent, as well as the best interests of your child, are protected. A seasoned New Jersey infant custody lawyer can help you develop a fair parenting time plan that properly reflects your family’s needs. Call today to learn more.
