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Being able to see your children is one of the most important things for New Jersey parents. It can be frightening when your right to spend time with your child is threatened. A Passaic County parenting time lawyer can provide different strategies for finding an agreement that works for you and your co-parent. They can be at your side for every stage of the process.
At The Montanari Law Group, LLC, our Passaic County family law team has spent years assisting the people of Passaic County, Bergen County, Cedar Grove, and communities throughout the state in their parenting time cases. Our founding attorney, Michael J. Montanari, has represented the people of New Jersey for over two decades in criminal, civil, and labor issues. He is an active member of the legal community, serving as a trustee of the Passaic County Bar Association.
In 2023, one quarter of all children under the age of six in the United States lived in single-parent households. A census report released in 2024 found that 35% of all minor children had separated parents. The common nature of children living in single-parent households makes parenting time a pressing concern for parents across New Jersey.
New Jersey parenting time cases revolve around the time a child spends with each parent. The term encompasses both joint physical custody and visitation agreements. These arrangements can be established through cooperation between co-parents, with court oversight, or court orders.
Courts review a wide range of factors when determining how much parenting time a party should receive. The focus in deliberations is on the best interests of the child, not what is easiest for parents or their wishes. Parenting time can include:
Passaic County parenting time issues are handled at Passaic County Family Courts, located at 63 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505.
Parenting time arrangements can run into many issues that require legal intervention. A few types of cases that The Montanari Law Group handles include:
Parenting time disputes can be troubling and exhausting matters. Hire a parenting time lawyer to navigate this difficult period. Your Passaic County parenting time attorney can provide crucial aid at each stage of the process. A few ways The Montanari Law Group can serve you include the following:
How long your New Jersey parenting time issue takes to resolve depends on a range of variables. The first is your relationship with your co-parent. Cases with cooperating parties typically take less time than contested matters. The second is the fitness of each parent. A case where either or both parties have addiction issues can take longer to finalize. The third is the court’s workload. Your issue can be delayed if the Passaic County Superior Court has an extensive backlog.
New Jersey parenting time laws allow either party to alter parenting time schedules after the initial arrangements are established. One way to modify parenting time is through an official agreement between both parents, approved by the court. If there is a dispute between parties, one parent may file a motion with the court to force a change. These require demonstrating that there was a substantial change in circumstances, such as a new safety concern or a move.
The actions that may constitute interference with custody in New Jersey depend on the existing orders. The basic principles for interference are when one parent detains, takes, or conceals a minor child in a way that violates an existing custody order or takes time away from the other’s parenting time. It is a second-degree crime if it lasts longer than 24 hours or if the child is taken outside the United States. Otherwise, it is a crime of the third degree.
Many details of your life or past actions can threaten your parenting time rights in New Jersey. A few factors that can damage your ability to see your child include:
If you are concerned about an aspect of your life affecting your parental rights, speak with your attorney to discuss how you can address these issues.
The terms “legal custody” and “parenting time” are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct parental rights in New Jersey. Legal custody refers to the power to make major decisions for your child, such as which doctor treats them, where they go to school, and general aspects of their future. Parenting time covers visitation, where the child lives, and how much time they spend with a parent.
Our team at The Montanari Law Group can work to find a parenting time structure that fits your needs, accommodates your co-parent, and is in the best interest of your child. We can use our decades of combined legal experience to make a positive impact on the proceedings.
Contact us via our online form to book your consultation, where we can discuss options for securing a new parenting time arrangement. You may also visit our Little Falls office in person, located on Lower Notch Road, southwest of Rifle Camp Park, north of Montclair State University, and east of Essex County Airport.
“Michael Montanari was a great lawyer to represent my case and I’m grateful I found him through reviews like these. He’s extremely helpful and knowledgeable and it was a pleasure having him represent my case and win. Highly recommend.” – Juan Alvarez
“Michael is knowledgeable, helpful, proactive, and an expert in his field. I had a very specific situation that he was able to expertly navigate and guide me through for the best possible result. I received exactly the outcome I was hoping for and it’s all thanks to the careful guidance and support of Michael and his team. Thank you again Michael!” – Aidan McGourty
“Jayna Patel was a pleasure to work with. Knowing how knowledgeable and experienced she was put me at ease during a very challenging time. She made the process easy and stress free. I would recommend her services to anyone in need of a family lawyer.” – Leyla
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