Health & Medicine - County Woman Newspapers

Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq.
There are various
statutes and Court Rules
that address custody and
related issues in New
Jersey. It is important for
divorcing parents to
understand that the state
Legislature has found that
it is in the best interests of
children to have frequent
and continuing contact
with both parents after
separation and divorce and
that it is in the public
interest to encourage both
parents to share the rights
and responsibilities of
rearing their children.
The law in New Jersey also
provides that the rights of
both parents are equal.
The Court may accept
any custody arrangement
which is agreed to by
both parents provided
that it
is not contrary
Mercer County Woman
to the children’s best
interests.
If the parents are
unable to agree upon custody,
the case must be
referred to mediation. If
mediation is unsuccessful,
the Court may then order
an investigation or
psychological best interests
evaluation before the trial.
In making a custody
determination, the court
must consider factors
enumerated in the statute
including, but not limited
to, the parents’ ability to
communicate and cooperate;
any history of unjustified
interference with
the non-custodial parent’s
parenting time; the preference
of the child when of
sufficient age and capacity
to reason so as to form an
intelligent decision; the
needs of the child; the
stability of the home; the
fitness of the parents; and
the parents’ employment
responsibilities.
Following the trial, the
Court will enter an Order
addressing both legal and
physical custody, whether
joint or sole; provisions for
parenting time, provisions
for major decision making,
involving the
children’s health,
education and
Legal
◆ ◆ Children and Divorce ◆ ◆
DIVORCE BRINGS UNCERTAINTY
Going through a divorce or custody
litigation can be stressful and fraught
with uncertainty. My 15 years of
exclusive Family Law experience can
help you protect yourself, your children
and your family’s future. Call
today to make an appointment to
discuss your legal options and the
best solutions for your family.
❖ Divorce/Separation
❖ Custody/Parenting Time
❖ Child Support
❖ Alimony
❖ Equitable Distribution
❖ Post Divorce Litigation
❖ Domestic Violence
❖ Adoption
general welfare and may,
under certain circumstances,
restrict parents
from permanently leaving
the State of New Jersey
with the children absent
the consent of the
other parent.
Regardless of the issues
between the parties, it is in
their children’s best interests
to set those issues
aside and work together to
make a custody and parenting
agreement that
works for the entire family.
The alternative is to allow
a stranger, the Judge, to
decide what is best for
your children.
Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq.
116 Village Boulevard, Suite 200,
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-734-7424; Fax 609-883-5710;
lmccabe.chiacchio@verizon.net
www.familylawcc.com
*Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Lee Ann McCabe-
Chiacchio, Esq. is certified
by the Supreme Court
of New Jersey as
a Matrimonial Law
Attorney, with 15 years of
experience in Family Law.
Ms. McCabe-Chiacchio is
former Counsel to
Wilentz, Goldman &
Spitzer, P.C. and has
recently opened her own
firm in Princeton, New
Jersey. She is an active
member of the NJ State
Bar Association as well as
the Middlesex and Mercer
County Bar Associations.
She received the Martin S.
Goldin Family Law Award
in 2004 for Excellence in
Family Law.
PROTECT
YOURSELF
AND YOUR
CHILDREN
WITH A
CERTIFIED*
MATRIMONIAL
LAW ATTORNEY
Free
Consultation
She volunteers her time
for various organizations
including Lawyers CARE,
is a Board Member on the
Child Placement Review
Board and advocates for
the Rights of Children.
Happy
St.Patrick’s
Day!
“Life isn’t just about what you
can have; it’s about what you
have to give.” —Oprah Winfrey
29 March / April 08