Skilled Representation For Families Facing Difficult Legal Matters
With over 70 years of combined experience, the family law lawyers at Burnham Douglass has provided premium legal service for all residents of Camden County and across the state of New Jersey. There are over 523,000 people in Camden County, spread across historic townships including Cherry Hill, Pennsauken, and Haddonfield.
Camden County’s population is one of the more diverse in the metropolitan area of the Delaware Valley. Our family law lawyers are well-equipped to handle any of your legal family needs. We work one-on-one with you and work diligently to reach the outcome that best suits your situation.
Types of Family Law
Whether you are seeking a divorce, planning to adopt a child, or have any other pressing family legal needs, the experienced family law lawyers at Burnham Douglass are here to help. Our goal is to provide legal solutions to your complex and unique situation that are tailored for you. Our legal team has extensive knowledge of these family law matters and many others, including:
Adoption
Adopting a child into your family, whether it is an international or domestic adoption, can be a complicated process with background checks, clearances, and plenty of paperwork. The Burnham Douglas adoption lawyers are here to guide you through the process and provide the best legal representation for you and your expanding family.
Fortunately, New Jersey’s adoption process is easier than other states, as there is virtually no waiting period – a mother can legally surrender her parental rights 72 hours after a child has been born. All parents in New Jersey who wish to adopt are welcomed, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation.
Child Custody
One of the most important issues to resolve in a divorce is child custody. Even if the separation is amicable, deciding the details of custody can be stressful. In New Jersey, the two types of custody are physical and legal custody. “Physical custody” is custody granted to the parent with whom the child primarily resides, and may or may not include alternate weekends or holidays with the other parent. “Legal custody” refers to a parent’s ability to make important decisions for the child, and can be shared.
Although the courts decide custody arrangements based on the best interests of the child, they do recognize both parents as equals and do not favor one over the other. There are other factors that determine custody, such as the physical and mental health of each parent, the age and health of the child, if the child has special needs, and each parent’s ability to provide for the child.
A judge may order a child custody evaluation if the parents cannot agree on custody. The evaluator that provides the report is a mental health professional and recommends who should get custody of the child.
If a family’s situation changes, such as a new job in another city or death in the family, changes to a custody order can be updated. However, this and all matters with child custody should be handled with the help of the family law lawyers at Burnham Douglass, who are there to address any pressing matter you come across.
Child Support
A child support agreement is part of a divorce settlement, as each parent has a financial obligation to their child. Child support must be agreed upon no matter which parent is granted custody. If the parents are unable to come to an agreement, a judge will have to create a plan for the parents that they must follow.
Child support payments cover a broad list of items, such as basic necessities like food and clothing, medical care, and education, to things that enhance quality of life like entertainment, extracurricular activities and so forth. Parents who are receiving child support payments can only use it for these expenses, and not for personal benefit.
Child support is determined by different factors such as the needs of the child, each parents assets and income, and the health of the parents and child. Child support payments can be modified due to life changes. Speaking with a lawyer will be instrumental to reaching the best outcome for your family.
Divorce
You can end a marriage in New Jersey through three separate processes: at-fault divorce, no-fault divorce, or annulment. There are small differences between at-fault and no-fault divorces, but they are usually subject to the same state laws. An at-fault divorce, where one spouse is at-fault for causing the end of the marriage, can be filed without a waiting period. Both spouses must be separated for at least 18 months before filing a no-fault divorce.
Whether it is a no-fault divorce or an at-fault divorce, there must be some grounds in order to file. Potential grounds for a no-fault divorce could be irreconcilable differences, while an at-fault divorce could include adultery or emotional cruelty.
New Jersey is an equitable distribution state, meaning that the court will divide assets fairly between the two spouses. Proving multiple grounds for divorce in an at-fault divorce could cause the court to grant a larger distribution to the filing party. The judge also considers each spouse’s income and lifestyle when deciding how to distribute assets.
An annulment is a faster and easier process than the divorce process, mainly because there are no distribution of assets or other issues generally associated with divorce. However, an annulment can only apply under certain circumstances, such as one spouse deceived the other into a marriage, or one spouse was incapacitated at the time of marriage.
Filing for a divorce is difficult and can be time-consuming. A divorce lawyer can help with filing of paperwork and, in an at-fault divorce, can provide strong evidence for the court which will affect asset distribution or alimony payments.
The Team at Burnham Douglass Provides Personalized Strategies to Fit Your Family Law Needs
Every family is different, as is every situation they face. The family law lawyers at Burnham Douglass understand this and customize legal solutions to fit the unique challenges you face. We carefully listen to you and provide the proper guidance you need to reach the positive outcome you desire. Whether you are seeking to adopt a child into your family or are in the midst of a divorce, our team stands behind you and gives you objective counsel while guiding you through the process.
For Decades, Families of Camden County Have Trusted Us to Handle Their Family Legal Cases
- Our team has over 70 combined years of experience.
- We protect our clients’ rights and offer legal solutions that fit their unique needs.
- We are licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Virginia, and North Carolina.
- We offer free consultations for family law cases.
- We speak Spanish and Portuguese.
- We answer all your questions and give you impartial legal advice for your individual case.
Camden County Family Lawyers at Burnham Douglass Are Here to Guide You Through the Family Legal Process
Whether you need to file for divorce or have a child custody issue, the Camden County family lawyers at Burnham Douglass are here to help you. Call us today at 856-751-5505 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation. With our offices located in Marlton and Northfield, New Jersey, we proudly serve all clients of New Jersey in Camden County, Burlington County, Atlantic County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, and throughout the state.
