Child Custody

Warren, Somerset County, New Jersey Child Custody Attorneys

Child custody can be one of the most fiercely contested and highly emotional issues in a divorce. If you are concerned about protecting your rights to maintain or share the custody of your children, it is important that you consult with a skilled divorce and child custody attorney to ensure that your rights and your children are protected. At Copeland, Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP , our lawyers can assist you in protecting your rights and the best interests of your children.

Our attorneys are experienced with all of the following:

  • Joint custody and sole custody
  • Residential or physical custody
  • Parenting time (visitation) schedules
  • Modifications of custody arrangements
  • Relocation of either parent
  • Grandparent rights
  • Paternity law

Determining the custody of the children

  • Sole or joint legal custody affords the parent(s) the right to make decisions regarding a child's education, health care, religion, and other important aspects of a child's life.
  • Residential or physical custody refers to where a child will actually live and how much time a child spends in each parent's home. In determining the custody of children, the courts evaluate a number of factors, such as where the child attends school, special needs, who has primary caretaking responsibilities, and the parenting strengths of each parent. In presenting the facts to the court, your attorney will be a critical asset to support your rights and protect the best interests of your children.

Mediation and child custody

Our attorneys are experienced in mediation both privately and through the court-mandated program. Amy Shimalla and Amy Wechsler helped to create the program which has been in effect in Somerset County for the past 12 years and can effectively advocate on your behalf. New Jersey courts mandate mediation when it comes to child custody. In all cases, the best interests of the child are a priority with the attorneys at Copeland, Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP in Warren, New Jersey.

Parenting time schedules

Parenting time (or visitation) refers to the schedules when parents have physical custody of the children. Our attorneys can assist you in creating a parenting time schedule that works for your family and protects your interests. We work to find solutions that meet the needs of both parties and their children. We are also experienced in the modification of parenting schedules or in handling cases involving relocation.

Contact us if you or your spouse is considering moving out of state.

Grandparent Rights

The United States Supreme Court ruled that generally a court cannot interfere with a parent's constitutional right to rear his or her children by mandating grandparent visitation.  No matter how close the relationship is between grandparent and grandchild, one parent's objections will prevent court-ordered visitation with the grandparent.  Nevertheless, there are circumstances in which grandparents can be entitled to visitation with their grandchildren. Our experienced attorneys can help you analyze your particular case and help facilitate resolution.

We are dedicated to protecting the interests of children

Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the interests of children in court. When you work with our attorneys on a child custody case, you can trust that we will remain mindful of your children's needs. Our attorneys Amy Zylman Shimalla and Amy Wechsler are often appointed by the court to serve as guardians ad litem, to act as fact finders for the Court in difficult or high-conflict custody cases.

Contact our Warren, New Jersey firm by e-mail or call 908.922.4238 today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced child custody or parenting time lawyers.

*Three of our named partners are Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Matrimonial Law Attorneys.

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