Child Support & Custody
Southeast Pennsylvania and South Jersey
Child Custody Lawyers
When seeking an attorney to handle your divorce and child custody case, you need someone who has not only substantive knowledge of Pennsylvania and New Jersey family law, but also sensitivity to guide you through the possibly difficult times ahead.
There is no issue in divorce that draws out more emotion than child custody. Oftentimes psychological experts are essential and a protracted court case may be inevitable when one parent wants to battle a spouse using child custody rights to injure the other.
At the Law Firm of Ronald A. Graziano, P.C., we pride ourselves on our legal skill as well as our sensitivity to the needs of our clients and their children. Whether you are seeking help reaching a mutual agreement through the use of mediation, or you believe you will need to take a case to court, we have an experienced child custody attorney who can help you develop a winning strategy for your family. Contact our office to schedule an appointment to learn more.
New Jersey courts typically grant parents joint custody so each parent is authorized to make decisions on behalf of a child. The primary decision to be made in a child custody case, then, is one of where the child will live (called “primary residence”) and how much time they will spend with the other parent (called “alternate residence”).
The amount of child support awarded to a parent will be influenced by residency, with the parent of primary residence receiving more support. The amount of child support a non-custodial parent pays is largely influenced by state child support guidelines, but there are other variables that can come into consideration when the divorce court judge makes a final determination; alimony is one of them. The amount of time a child spends with the other parent is another.
Sadly, we have seen parents fight for increased time only because they wish to reduce their child support obligation. They may not even see the child. If you are in this type of unfair situation with an ex-spouse, you can take your child support case back to court to request a modification of child support. We’ll help you take your case to court.
In addition to regular monthly support, parents often plan for their children’s long-term future at this time. Custodial parents are entitled to receive support for children up to age 23 if the child is attending post-secondary education (college or trade school). And who will pay for college expenses? Will you set up a trust fund at this time? Is there a limit to how much college support a parent will cover?
Other questions to be resolved when considering child custody and support include who will pay for medical and dental insurance, where children will spend the holidays, the child visitation schedule, and who will pay for summer programs. Our Pennsylvania and South Jersey child custody lawyers have helped hundreds of couples find custody arrangements that work for them and support the healthy development of their children. Contact our office to speak to an attorney about your child support goals.
