Unmarried fathers in Bergen County, New Jersey, face many issues relating to their children. From child support and custody to relocating, fathers want to be a part of their child’s life but may face roadblocks. To help you overcome these challenges, seek guidance from an experienced family law attorney in New Jersey. In the meantime, this blog post will provide insight into your rights as an unmarried father in the state.

Are Unmarried Fathers at a Disadvantage in New Jersey?

Even though the law is not supposed to sway one way or the other, unmarried fathers in New Jersey face a number of legal disadvantages when it comes to issues of child custody and visitation rights. Although unmarried fathers often play an active role in their children’s lives, they are often at a legal disadvantage in terms of decision-making power and custody rights.

One major challenge faced by unmarried fathers is securing paternity, or establishing legal recognition of their fatherhood. This can be difficult for several reasons, including a lack of knowledge about paternity laws, the cultural stigma surrounding single fathers, and financial barriers. Once paternity has been established, unmarried fathers in New Jersey have certain legal rights when it comes to issues like custody and visitation.

While unmarried fathers may not be automatically granted equal parental rights as married parents under New Jersey law, they enjoy some protections. For example, unmarried fathers are able to petition for joint or shared custody arrangements with the mother if both parents agree to this arrangement. Additionally, unmarried fathers can petition for sole physical or legal custody if the mother agrees to these arrangements or if there is evidence showing that it would be in the child’s best interests.

How Does New Jersey Determine Child Custody and Support?

New Jersey follows a child custody and child support determination process that takes into account several factors, including the best interests of the child. Factors such as the child’s relationship with each parent and any potential safety risks are considered when making custody determinations, while factors like each parent’s financial situation and ability to provide for the child are taken into account when determining child support amounts.

The first step in New Jersey’s child custody determination process is to conduct an evaluation of each parent’s ability to care for and provide for the child. This often involves looking at things like each parent’s mental and physical health, as well as their living situation and work schedule. The courts will also take into account factors like each parent’s history of violence or substance abuse if it is deemed necessary.

Once the court has evaluated both parents’ abilities to care for and support the child, they will make a determination about which parent should have primary physical custody of the child. In some cases, joint physical custody may be awarded instead, depending on various factors such as each parent’s work schedule or proximity to one another.

In addition to determining who will have primary physical custody, New Jersey courts will also set a specific amount of child support that must be paid by the non-custodial parent. This amount is typically calculated based on each parent’s income level and other relevant financial information, such as childcare costs or medical expenses incurred related to caring for the child. Overall, New Jersey aims to strike a balance between ensuring that both parents participate in their children’s lives while also providing adequate financial support for those children.

Contact a Bergen County, New Jersey Family Law Attorney Today

Nothing is more important than your relationship with your child. If you need guidance and support gaining and holding onto your rights as a father, don’t wait. Speak with a trusted and experienced Bergen County, New Jersey family lawyer immediately. Contact Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers today to get the experience you can trust.

Contact the experienced family attorneys at Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers today for legal assistance. Visit our law office in Bergen County or give us a call at (201) 487-1199 to schedule a free consultation with our team.

Bergen County Law Office
1 University Plaza Dr #400, Hackensack, NJ 07601, United States