Child Custody and Child Support Considerations

    JERSEY CITY, NJ, April 14, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Parenting time and child custody are necessary considerations in divorce agreements where children are involved. This is a particularly difficult process and can result in lengthy legal battles. Ultimately, the courts will determine what is in the best interest of the child. This may require expert testimony from a Child and Family Investigator appointed by the court, or from friends and relatives of the parents and children.

Considerations in Custody Battles

The court will consider several factors when determining the best interest of a child. This can include things such as:

- Each parent's willingness to work together for the benefit of the child
- Any history of domestic violence or child abuse
- The stability of the home environment
- The emotional and mental fitness of the parents
- Each parent's employment responsibilities
- The proximity of each parent's home to the child's school

Older children may be given a say in custody issues as well. If the court determines a child is of sufficient age to decide where they want to be, their preference will be a serious consideration in the court's decision.

Determining Child Support

Child support will be directly affected by parenting time. In the case of a 50/50 split, child support is often a non-issue. However, if one parent makes substantially more than the other parent, or if the custody arrangement is not a straight split, child support will come into play.

Child support in New Jersey is based on several factors including:

- The earning ability of each parent
- The economic circumstances of each parent
- Reasonable debts and liabilities of each parent
- Age and health of each parent

Similar to custody orders, the needs of the child will be the primary determining factor in the amount of child support paid every month. A petition for child support modification can be filed every two years, but barring a change in parenting time, the support itself cannot be discontinued once ordered by the court.

For additional information regarding child custody and child support issues, please visit the website of Hudson County, New Jersey family law attorney Anthony Carbone today. http://www.anthonycarbonepc.com/

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