Child Custody Lawyer New Jersey, NJ
You thought you would never have to argue about where your children will sleep tonight, what school they will attend, or who gets to make medical decisions on their behalf. Now you are in a custody dispute and every week brings a new worry. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997, concentrates its practice on child custody, parenting time, and related family law matters in New Jersey. Our attorneys appear in Superior Court, Family Part, in every New Jersey county, representing mothers, fathers, and grandparents who need a clear voice in court. The firm is led by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor and Owner and Founder, who is supported by a team of experienced Of Counsel. Together they work to craft custody and visitation arrangements that protect your parental role and your child’s stability. Call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation with a New Jersey child custody lawyer. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
What Child Custody Means in New Jersey
In New Jersey, custody is decided by the Superior Court, Chancery Division—Family Part. New Jersey law directs the court to evaluate what is in the “best interests of the child.” The statute lists 14 factors the judge must consider, including each parent’s fitness, the child’s relationship with siblings, the child’s preference if mature enough, the stability of the home environment, and any history of domestic abuse or substance misuse. Unlike some states that start from a presumption of equal parenting time, New Jersey judges have wide discretion to tailor a parenting plan to the specific facts of the family.
The court distinguishes between legal custody—the authority to make major life decisions about education, health care, and religion—and physical custody—where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. An order may grant one parent sole legal custody or joint legal custody, and the same choices exist for physical custody. In practice, many parents share joint legal custody even when one parent has primary physical residence. Parenting time (what many people call “visitation”) is set separately, and New Jersey law strongly favors parenting time with both parents unless one parent’s involvement would harm the child.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Child Custody Cases
Every custody case begins with a careful review of your family’s situation. The firm gathers information about each parent’s work schedule, the child’s routine, the history of caregiving, and any safety concerns. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel then help you decide whether to pursue negotiation, mediation, or litigation. New Jersey’s Family Part requires early case management conferences and, in many counties, mandatory mediation or an Early Settlement Panel. Our attorneys prepare you for each stage, draft all necessary pleadings, and appear with you at every court proceeding.
If a negotiated resolution is not possible, the firm is prepared to argue your position at a plenary hearing. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented firm-wide results to the courtroom. Results may vary. Throughout the case, we keep you informed and involved, so you understand the tactical choices and their possible impact on your family’s future. The goal is always to emerge from the process with a custody arrangement that works for your child and can endure over time.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has concentrated his practice in family law for nearly three decades. He is admitted to practice in all five New Jersey vicinages as well as in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New York. Before founding the firm in 1997, Mr. Sris served as a prosecutor—experience that gives him a sharp understanding of courtroom procedure and cross‑examination.
Mr. Sris is supported by a team of dedicated Of Counsel attorneys who concentrate their practice in family law. Each Of Counsel brings significant litigation experience, and together they provides clients with thorough preparation and representation. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary. In any case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child custody decided in New Jersey?
New Jersey courts decide custody according to the best interests of the child, weighing 14 statutory factors under New Jersey law. These factors include the parents’ fitness, the child’s relationships, stability of the home, any history of domestic abuse, and the child’s preference if mature enough. A judge may order sole or joint legal and physical custody after a hearing or by approving a consent agreement worked out by the parents.
What is the difference between legal custody and physical custody?
Legal custody is the authority to make major decisions about the child, while physical custody determines with whom the child lives on a daily basis. New Jersey courts frequently award joint legal custody even when one parent has primary physical residence. Parental rights to access school records, consent to medical treatment, and participate in religious upbringing all flow from legal custody.
Can a custody order be changed later?
Yes, a parent may request a modification by showing a substantial change in circumstances that affects the child’s best interests. Common reasons include a planned relocation, a change in the child’s needs, or a parent’s remarriage. The motion must be filed in the same Family Part court that issued the original order, and the judge will hold a hearing if the other parent contests the change.
Do I need a lawyer for a child custody case?
You are not required by law to hire a lawyer, but representing yourself puts you at a significant disadvantage because you must comply with the same procedural rules as an attorney. Custody disputes can involve complex financial disclosures, expert testimony, and cross‑examination. Having an experienced lawyer helps protect your rights and improves the chance of a workable parenting plan.
What happens if one parent wants to move out of New Jersey with the child?
A parent who wants to relocate must obtain either the other parent’s consent or a court order allowing the move. The court applies the standard set in the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Baures and other cases: the moving parent must prove the move is made in good faith and will not harm the child. The non‑moving parent may object, and the judge will hold a trial on the issue.
How does child support relate to custody?
Child support and custody are separate legal questions, but the physical custody arrangement directly affects the support calculation. New Jersey uses the “income shares” model under New Jersey law, so the parent who has the child for fewer overnights generally pays child support to the primary residential parent. The amount is determined by combined parental income, the number of children, and the parenting‑time schedule.
If you have questions about your own custody situation, call Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.
Serving families across New Jersey:
Hunterdon County Family Law ·
Somerset County Family Law ·
Bergen County Family Law ·
Monmouth County Family Law
New Jersey primary law resources:
New Jersey Courts – Family Division ·
New Jersey Legislature – Statutes ·
New Jersey Court Rules