One of the unfortunate realities of any divorce is that even though it is just between one couple, it impacts the entire family. This is especially the case when children are involved. Family members may fear that a hostile custodial parent may try to stop any contact between themselves and the child of divorce. In some cases, the situation is so serious that the matter may have to be addressed in court so the family member can still maintain a significant relationship with the child. The court will always rule in the best interests of the child, as they do with other matters of child custody, child support, etc.
If a family member feels as though they are being denied access to a child, they may wish to request a visitation order through the New Jersey family court. It is important to be aware that only certain family members are permitted to request an order for visitation. Visitation rights are limited to the noncustodial parent, a sibling, or a grandparent. However, other family members such as aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., are not permitted to request visitation rights.
The court considers a number of factors when addressing visitation, such as:
- The bond between the applicant and the child
- The amount of time that has passed since they last spent time together
- The risk that the applicant poses to the child
If you have questions about child visitation, contact our firm today.
If you require strong legal representation for matters of divorce and family law in New Jersey, contact The Law Offices of Paone, Zaleski & Murphy to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys today.