Your Legal Solution Starts with a Call
Your Legal Solution Starts with a Call
Few legal issues are more emotionally charged than those involving children. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going through a divorce or separating from a partner; your top concern is likely your child’s well-being, and rightly so. At Hand & Toker, LLC, we’re here to guide you through the legal process of child custody and support with unwavering care, clarity, and commitment.
Our legal team helps parents reach solutions that protect their parental rights while prioritizing what matters most: the best interests of their children.
You can trust our team at Hand & Toker to advocate passionately for your family’s best interests with expertise and care.
In New Jersey, child custody isn’t just about where your child lives. It includes both legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (where the child primarily resides). Courts prefer to award joint legal custody whenever possible, so both parents can remain actively involved in important decisions like education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
Both parents are financially responsible for their children, regardless of custody. Child support is meant to cover basic living expenses, such as housing, food, clothing, education, medical care, and extracurricular activities.
New Jersey uses a statewide formula to calculate child support, which considers:
Even though there’s a formula, child support can get complicated—especially in cases involving self-employment, hidden income, or high-net-worth families. We make sure that your financial information is presented accurately and that the support order reflects the true cost of raising your children.
In New Jersey, custody is determined based on the best interests of the child.
This legal standard involves several factors, such as:
While we encourage cooperation between parents whenever possible, we’re also fully prepared to protect your rights if the other party isn’t acting in good faith.
Litigation is often more time-consuming and expensive than out-of-court resolutions, but it can also deliver a fair and enforceable outcome when nothing else will.
The process typically involves:
One parent has full authority to make major decisions.
Both parents share decision-making responsibilities.
The child lives with one parent most of the time, and the other has visitation.
The child spends substantial time with both parents.
Life doesn’t stand still after custody and support orders are issued. If circumstances change, such as job loss, relocation, illness, or a shift in parenting time, you may need to modify your current arrangement.
Likewise, if your co-parent is violating the court order or withholding support, you may need help with enforcement. We represent parents on both sides of these issues and will help you take the necessary legal steps to protect your rights and your child’s stability.
Even if one parent has primary physical custody, the other parent typically has a right to parenting time—sometimes referred to as visitation. Parenting time schedules can be as simple or detailed as needed, and we work with you to craft a plan that makes sense for your family’s unique rhythm.
In high-conflict cases, the court may order supervised visitation or restrict parenting time if it’s necessary to keep a child safe. We’ll help you navigate these sensitive situations with a child-focused approach and strong legal advocacy.
At Hand & Toker, we understand that family matters aren’t just legal, they’re deeply personal. We take the time to listen to your concerns, explain your options, and fight for the outcome that protects your child and secures your peace of mind.
Whether you’re creating a parenting plan from scratch or revisiting a custody arrangement that no longer works, we’re here to stand by your side.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our compassionate and experienced family law attorneys.