Benefits of a New Jersey Visitation Lawyer
Regardless of the state of their relationship, parents have a duty to provide their children with a supportive, loving, and healthy environment. For parents who live in separate homes, this includes working together to develop an agreeable visitation schedule. Unfortunately, disputes can arise even when parents have the best intentions of communicating to resolve their differences amicably. Skill in resolving these disputes is only one of the many benefits of a New Jersey visitation lawyer. Hiring a professional family law attorney helps ensure the most favorable outcome possible in child custody and visitation cases. Parents who have legal representation gain crucial information about their parental rights and how to navigate the process of resolving visitation issues.
The Role of a Family Law Attorney in Visitation Cases
Under New Jersey law, both parents have equal responsibilities and rights regarding custody of their children. Despite this law, this does not always result in equal parenting time for both parents. Child custody and visitation schedules are always premised on the best interests of the children involved. This requires careful consideration of each parent’s relationship with the children, employment obligations, the children’s ages and needs, and several other important factors.
Establishing or modifying a parenting time schedule is a complex undertaking, made even more challenging when emotions run high. An experienced family law attorney learns the details of the case and helps parents understand their legal options. Legal counsel can include advice, participating in and leading negotiations, drafting agreements, and speaking on a parent’s behalf to advocate for them and reduce conflict. The services of a visitation attorney in New Jersey can help parents avoid heated exchanges, allowing both parties to reduce the time and stress required to reach a mutually agreeable resolution in the best interests of their children.
Three Benefits of Hiring a Visitation Lawyer
Parents do not have to hire a lawyer to develop a visitation schedule or file an application with the Court for visitation rights. However, having legal counsel during visitation proceedings in New Jersey offers many benefits.
Protecting Parental Rights
A family law attorney has a firm understanding of custody and visitation laws and how they apply to each individual case. This knowledge is used to establish a parent’s right to appropriate parenting time with the child and to protect the child’s best interests. Arguments and positions are based on law and fact, rather than pure emotions. Having the support of an attorney often increases the chance that a parent will obtain the schedule that best meets their and their child’s needs.
Amicable Dispute Resolution
Tensions often run high when discussing visitation, leading to heated exchanges that can derail successful negotiations. Such arguments can also suggest that a parent is unwilling to foster a healthy coparenting relationship, threatening visitation rights if the matter must be taken to court. A family law attorney can mitigate and reduce the emotional implications in a visitation proceeding by appearing on a parent’s behalf and offering legal advice to ensure the proceedings are conducted based on reason, the law, and the facts.
Avoid Mistakes
Limited knowledge of state laws and parental rights can lead a parent to make sacrifices they might not have made otherwise. Additionally, an agreement reached without the benefit of an experienced attorney often fails to address all necessary aspects of an effective parenting plan. This lack of thoroughness leads to “holes” in an agreement without clearly defined parameters to address certain issues in the future, increasing the chance for conflicts after the agreement is reached. While modifying the terms of an agreement is possible, it is much more difficult than doing it right from the start. The Court expects a clear reason meeting legal standards for modifying an existing visitation schedule or parenting plan. Parents who seek legal counsel are in a better position to craft a clear and complete agreement and schedule to avoid future disputes.
Consult with a Knowledgeable Visitation Attorney to Protect Your Parental Rights
Whether you are negotiating your first parenting time schedule or seeking modifications of an existing court order or agreement, the benefits of a New Jersey visitation lawyer cannot be overstated. Custody and visitation laws in New Jersey are complex, making it difficult for parents to understand their rights and obligations. With the help of a family law attorney from Moskowitz Law Group, you will get the advice you need to make your case and advocate for your and your children’s rights. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
