a small firm that packs a big punch
- Home
- Attorneys
- Articles
- Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Criminal Defense
- Employment Law
- Personal Injury
- Workers’ Compensation
- Real Estate
- Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Blog
- Courts We Serve
- Contact
- Toggle website search
Custody is a central concern for many parents who are going through a divorce or live separately from their co-parent. These matters can be overwhelming and stressful to handle on your own. A Hackensack child custody lawyer can guide you through the process. They can bring extensive knowledge to your case and make a positive impact on the proceedings.
The Hackensack family lawyers at The Montanari Law Group is committed to advocating for parents across Bergen, Morris, Essex, Union, and Passaic Counties in their child custody cases. Founding partner Michael J. Montanari has over two decades of experience in both civil and criminal legal matters. He is an active member of the community, serving as the Board of Health Attorney for Springfield and a Trustee of the Passaic County Bar Association.
Child custody cases are a common type of civil matter in New Jersey. In 2022, state family courts processed 75,545 non-divorce cases and 43,406 divorce cases, both including custody cases. These legal proceedings affect thousands of families, with around 35% of all minor children in the United States having separated parents.
The New Jersey child custody laws establish the roles of each parent in a child’s life. Legal custody covers the powers to make important decisions for a child, such as medical treatment and education. Physical custody involves where a child lives and visitation rights.
Both types of custody can be granted in sole or joint form. For instance, one parent may have sole physical custody, while both share joint legal custody. Hackensack child custody matters are handled at the Bergen County Justice Center, located at 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
When establishing custody in New Jersey, courts consider a range of factors to determine what arrangement is in the best interest of the child. A few key points include:
Child custody cases can be stressful for any parent. While you may represent yourself in all court proceedings, the high-stakes nature of your parental rights makes it recommended that you hire a child custody lawyer to assist with your case. Your Hackensack child custody attorney can guide you through every step of the process. The following are a few key ways that our team from The Montanari Law Group can help you:
When considering legal counsel, you should review many elements of your potential attorney. One key aspect to look for is experience in similar cases. A family lawyer who’s well-renowned for property division may not be as effective as a lesser-known attorney focused on custody matters. Another factor to prioritize is honesty and clear communication. Your legal counsel should not overpromise and be upfront about costs and likely outcomes.
How much your New Jersey child custody attorney costs depends on the complexity of the case, the contention between parents, and the total workload for the firm. Cases where co-parents are eager to work together, along with matters involving only one child, typically cost less than a contested case, which usually proceeds to trial. Another contributing detail is the lawyer’s pricing model, with different firms using flat fee structures for specific services, retainer expenses, or hourly rates.
During New Jersey custody proceedings, many things can look bad to the judge. The first is putting your interests before your child’s. It is important to focus on what is ideal for your child, not yourself. The second is being combative with your co-parent or resisting the process. This can not only harm your image in the process but also result in contempt of court charges and additional penalties.
How long your child custody matter takes to resolve within the New Jersey court system depends on its complexity, the number of children involved, and the level of cooperation between parents. A case with minor disagreement and one child typically takes less time to finalize than one involving multiple minor children and one parent seeking sole rights.
The Montanari Law Group understands how frustrating the child custody process can be. Cases can be challenging to balance with the multitude of concerns that come with being a parent. Our team can use years of combined legal experience and knowledge to advocate for your rights.
Reach out to us today to schedule your initial consultation. In this meeting, we can learn your story, discuss the issues you face in your case, and explore strategies that can secure the custody you want.
“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
Read more of our Google reviews.