Child custody & parenting time lawyer in Mt. Ephraim, NJ

Child custody and parenting time in New Jersey

Custody cases are about children, and that is where Danielle Joseph-Key, Esq. starts. The Legal Assistance Center handles custody and parenting time matters in the New Jersey Family Part, from the first agreement between separating parents to contested hearings and later changes to an order.

Danielle has more than 25 years of New Jersey practice. Her family law work includes legal and physical custody agreements, parenting schedules, best-interests evaluations, and holiday and visitation planning. You can meet with her at the Mt. Ephraim office or by phone or secure video from anywhere in New Jersey.

What a New Jersey court looks at

When parents cannot agree, the court decides custody in the child’s best interests, using the factors listed in N.J.S.A. 9:2-4. They include how well the parents communicate and cooperate about the child, the child’s relationship with each parent and with siblings, any history of domestic violence, the stability of each home, the child’s needs and schooling, and the preference of a child old enough to reason. How New Jersey courts decide child custody walks through each factor.

How a custody matter usually moves

1. Free consultation. Tell Danielle about your children, the current arrangement and any court papers you have received.
2. Agreement or filing. Many parents settle custody and parenting time in a written plan. When they cannot, a complaint or motion is filed in the Family Part.
3. Mediation and hearings. Custody and parenting time disputes in the Family Part often go to mediation before a judge decides the open issues.
4. The order, and later changes. A custody order can be revisited when circumstances change. See post-judgment motions.

Parenting time schedules

Parenting time is New Jersey’s term for the time a child spends with each parent. Schedules are built around school, work, distance and holidays. Read parenting time schedules in New Jersey for common arrangements, and moving out of New Jersey with your child if a move is on the table.

Full representation or limited-scope help

Some parents want a lawyer to handle the whole case. Others want to manage it themselves with an attorney in their corner. Danielle offers both: full representation after a free 30-minute consultation, or flat-fee Advice & Counsel sessions for custody strategy, document review and court preparation. Related matters such as child support and restraining orders are handled in the same practice.

More New Jersey custody resources

Explore the practice’s New Jersey legal resources for its Kayden’s Law guide summary, Danni’s Den podcast and legal video series. Ask Danielle how current law applies to your custody matter.