West Caldwell Family Law Blog

New Jersey law prioritizes family safety. Sadly, many households include incidents of domestic violence. It is also true, however, that allegations of violence against a spouse or other family member are not always true. The court is tasked with determining the truth on a case-by-case basis.

If you believe you or your child are in danger of physical or emotional abuse in your current living situation at home, it is always a good idea to reach out for immediate legal support. A family law attorney who is experienced in advocating on behalf of domestic abuse victims can provide guidance and support as you determine a best course of action to protect your rights, your children's best interests and, perhaps, your lives. In situations of divorce, a threat to children's safety often prompts the court to order supervised visitation only or even to prohibit a particular parent's contact with children.

Divorce has long-lasting affects on those involved, especially if the couple in question has children. Many concerned parents in New Jersey want to do whatever they can to avoid confrontation and settle their differences in as amicable a fashion as possible. Those who are willing to peacefully discuss each topic of importance may want to use mediation to achieve a settlement rather than go to court.

This process often takes less time than litigation and may be more cost-effective as well. Many parents want to avoid the business-like environment of a courtroom. A mediated divorce allows them to come together in a private setting and allow a mediator to help them focus on their needs and children's best interests.

When New Jersey parents get divorced, they no doubt understand that their decisions are going to have a significant impact on their children's lives. Thankfully, there are typically many community resources available to help parents and children cope with divorce and successfully adapt to new lifestyles. Sometimes, parents may unwittingly impede the process, especially if they use their children as messengers regarding child custody issues because they don't want to talk to each other.

Married couples do not end their relationships for no good reason. In most cases, spouses have encountered serious problems that they are unable to resolve, which can leave emotional scars. It can also cause a spouse to want to avoid contact with his or her ex as much as possible.

Divorce is usually very hard on the people divorcing, but it can also cause a lot of strain for any children in the family. In fact, a parental divorce can seem incredibly destabilizing to young children. A divorce can disrupt their emotional stability, sense of identity and concept of social order.

It may even require some counseling for children to work through their emotions. Some emotional upheaval is inevitable in a divorce, but much of the worst impact potentially caused by divorce can be avoided if parents commit to putting their children first.