What is joint legal custody you ask?

I am often asked what the differences are between joint legal custody and sole custody.  In New Jersey it seems we have lots and lots of different kinds of custody, and the kinds of arrangements are as varied as I suppose they need to be.  The best definition of joint legal custody I’ve found to date, appeared in the case of Emma v. Evans, an Appellate Division case that stands for the proposition that a custodial parent cannot without the OK from the non-custodial parent (or the parent of alternate residence, as we call it now) change the last name of the children.  You can read about Emma v. Evans on my website here:  http://www.helenglassesq.com/new-jersey-divorce-news.htm

But I digress. . .

The case quoted Supreme Court and other Appellate Division cases in explaining joint legal custody as “A stipulation to joint legal custody constitutes the parties’ agreement to share “authority and responsibility for making ‘major’ decisions” regarding the welfare of the children, calling upon “both parents to remain decision-makers in the lives of their children.   . . . legal custody [is a] shared obligation, calling upon the parents to first attempt to “agree, communicate and cooperate . . . notwithstanding animosity of acrimony they may harbor towards each other.”  [I have left out the citations for the sake of brevity.]

Simple words, but words to live by for the best interest of your most important asset!

If you have family law issues, alimony disputes, or any post judgement modification, in Bergen or Passaic County, contact me today at (201) 343-0287, or email me at Helen@HelenGlassEsq.com  My office accepts credit cards, and offers personalized, attentive and compassionate service.  Please see my website for comprehensive information at http://www.HelenGlassEsq.com

Haven’t posted for a while

Busy I guess, and being busy takes away my motivation to post here.  I’ll have to work on that. . . What you ask is my motivation now?  Well, I am busy, but have been home for the last almost 2 weeks, letting myself heal from a terribly stupid accident I got myself into.  Oh well – they say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and I’ve vowed to be more diligent as to posting here, and updating my website.  I guess time will tell.   Have to count myself lucky – relatively minor injuries – no scars, and should be healed up just in time for boating prep season.  Really counting my blessings, since I spoke to a friend today who just underwent a double mastectomy for the big C.”  Ouch and get better soon dear Kat.

A word about hospitals – yes those who know me personally know that I stay as far away from hospitals and the rest of the medical profession as much as possible – and my recent experience confirms my aversion.  The MD who attended left everything to the technicians and nurses – one of whom (who?) could not get a needle in my arm to save her (my?) life.  Another who gave me a men’s large surgical shoe, and crutches to navigate on with broken ribs.  The MD did look at me for a couple of minutes – but got a phone call in the middle of it all, and seemed more interested in updating info on the computer than attending to patients!  I lived through it all, although I won’t be going back!  With all the waste of that encounter, it is no wonder out health insurance is such a wreck!  You know, it occurred to me that we don’t get to ask the price.   No price check, no comparison shopping, and we pay the same for an MD that graduated #1 in his or her class, as we do for the one who graduated last.  After all, we do call the one who graduated last “doctor.”  Seems if there was some price competition, or even if there was disclosure of price, we might end up with a more competitive system . . . I’m just sayin’!