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Child Custody and Visitation Rights for Unmarried, Non-Biological and Third Party Parents?

By Sarah Jacobs, Esq.

Unmarried, Non-biological, and Third-Party Parents’ Rights Attorneys Morris County NJ

Providing Quality Counsel to Child Custody clients in Morris County Communities such as Morristown, Madison, Randolph, Denville, and across Northern New Jersey.

Our Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney Sarah J. Jacobs gives us a detailed insight of important matters when it comes to visitation rights and parenting time.

Which family members can apply for Child Custody and Visitation Rights?

The court has different dockets available for it, inside the courthouse, and those dockets relate to married persons and unmarried persons. So, if you have never been married to your co-parent, you do have the ability to seek custody and parenting time despite the fact that no marriage ever took place. This can also extend to grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, three parents in a situation where the person seeking custody and parenting time can establish a relationship under the law with the child that the court recognized as a valid relationship.

It’s important that you speak to an attorney if you don’t understand the dynamics of what third-party visitation rights could be, but in a situation where there are only two parents and you can establish a relationship with the child either through paternity, maternity or one of these other forms that the court can consider. For example, psychological parentage, -you have an opportunity to bring a claim before the court and ask them to grant you the same type of rights that the biological parent has been granted and to grant you custody and parenting time based upon the factors that the court would normally assess for married parents under the statute.

Standard for Application and Best Interest of the Child

Normally that’s considered best interest, there are certain other conditions that the court must consider but on a regular basis, the court looks at what’s the best interest of the child. If the court finds that parenting time or custody even between unmarried parties is in the best interest of the child and you have the standing to bring that application, the court will absolutely hear you and consider the claims that you are making.

Contact Morristown Child Custody and Visitation Rights Attorney today

At Jacobs Berger, our child custody attorneys have extensive experience helping clients navigate the child custody process by addressing the unique needs and concerns in Morris County towns such as Morristown, Madison, Denville, Randolph, Rockaway, Morris Township and all of Northern New Jersey.

To speak with one of our qualified family law and divorce attorneys in a strategic planning session, please contact us online or through our Morristown offices by dialing (973) 710-4366 today.

Contact Our Morristown Attorneys Today

At Jacobs Berger, our attorneys are experienced in protecting our clients across Madison, Randolph, Tewksbury, Morristown, and the greater Morris County area in all family law-related issues.

To schedule a strategic planning session with one of our experienced team members regarding your particular case, please contact us online or through our Morristown, NJ office at (973) 354-4506.