Child Custody Lawyer
"Consistently Fought for My Child's Best Interest." 5-Star Reviews From Our Clients
Francisco Pena
2020
For both divorce and child support/custody issues, call Leonard Cohen at Dunne,Dunne & Cohen. He is great, knowledgeable and tough, very tough! The whole process of going to court was very nerve wracking and Lenny did a great job at being that to ease. I was always treated first class and like I am family. You are in good hands with Dunne,Dunne & Cohen !
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Toni Capparelli
2019
If you are looking for an amazing family law attorney, Lenny is your guy! He led me through a rather difficult custody case and succeeded in keeping me grounded and calm at all times. He is professional, proficient and honest. This is an attorney who genuinely cares and consistently fought for my child's best interest. I have highly recommended Leonard Cohen to many friends with similar situations and would not hesitate to call on him again if need be. Thank you Lenny for all your hard work and dedication. It is greatly appreciated.
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Meet Leonard B. Cohen
Our Lead Child Custody Lawyer
Leonard "Lenny" Cohen leads the family law team at Dunne, Dunne & Cohen. He has practiced family law in the Jersey City area since 2009.
When you meet with Mr. Cohen to discuss your child custody case, you will appreciate his empathetic attitude and ability to make complex family law easier to understand.
Mr. Cohen works out of our offices in Kearny, NJ, and Hoboken, NJ.
Child Custody in New Jersey What You Should Know
The Rights of Both Parents Are Considered
When it comes to determining child custody in New Jersey, the court will consider the rights of both parents. The state generally favors custody agreements that allow both parents to have an active relationship in the child's life.
The Best Interests of the Child Are the Court's Focus
When designing or approving child custody agreements, the court's ultimate goal is to serve "the best interests of the child." This is purposefully vague and allows a judge to consider many factors during each unique case.
Physical Custody vs. Legal Custody
The law specifies two forms of custody. "Physical custody" refers to where your child will live. "Legal custody" refers to the authority to make decisions about the child's upbringing, such as decisions about the child's education, medical treatment, and religion.
Joint Custody Is the State's Ideal
The official position of the state is that children enjoy the best quality of life when they can maintain relationships with both parents. The court's default decision is to split custody between two parents as evenly as possible. However, the circumstances of your case can persuade a judge to approve a different arrangement.
You Need a Child Custody Lawyer
Contact Our Law Firm Today
In matters of child custody, the stakes are too high for you not to have a lawyer on your side. Without a trained child custody attorney, you run the risk of losing a role in your child's life.
Parents from the greater Jersey City area and throughout the state of New Jersey choose Dunne, Dunne & Cohen for family law because we have a decades-long history of success and put clients first. Our attorneys can help you and your family move forward in your lives in a way that protects your relationship with your children.
To schedule your free consultation at one of our offices in Hoboken and Kearny, NJ, you can contact us online or call:
(201) 998-2727
"I Had A Stress-Free Experience with Lenny as My Lawyer."
"Worked with Lenny on a child custody case. He was very helpful in figuring out all the ways to come to an agreement and be fair. Very knowledgeable about family law. Child custody cases can be stressful but with Lenny he made me feel confident and secure about all the proceedings. I had a stress free experience with Lenny as my lawyer. Will definitely recommend if you want a lawyer who cares about your concerns." 5-Star Client Review on Avvo
3 Convenient Offices Serving Communities Throughout New Jersey
Decide Child Custody in Mediation
Couples going through a divorce or a separation in New Jersey often try to negotiate the specifics of their split in mediation before going to court. During divorce mediation, you and your ex will work together to reach an agreement on custody, child support, visitation, and every other aspect of ending a marriage.
Couples often prefer mediation over traditional litigation because it can be less stressful and intimidating. When parents agree on the terms of child custody, mediation can help save time and expense compared to traditional litigation. It's also easier to communicate your own opinions and desires during mediation. Of course, mediation is only a viable option if a couple is on amicable terms.
At the law firm of Dunne, Dunne & Cohen, based in Hoboken, NJ, our child custody lawyers know how to handle mediation. We can be in the room with you as you negotiate with your ex, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you only agree to a deal if it achieves your best possible outcome.
Child Custody and Child Support
After a divorce involving children, one parent almost always has to pay child support to the other. Usually, the parent with more physical custody of the children receives support payments. In joint custody cases, it is possible to diverge from the traditional child support formula if both parents agree.
Determining the appropriate amount of child support can require some complicated calculations. Without a lawyer to help you, you may end up either paying too much child support or receiving too little.
The lawyers at our Hoboken-based law firm are available to assist you in arriving at a proper support arrangement.
"I Felt Comfortable in Dealing With My Divorce." See Why Our Clients Trust Us
shaun Sullivan
2019
I have used this office and all the attorneys for many different legal matters. If you are looking for top notch attorneys that care more about the client than the paycheck they receive then look no further!!! You definitely will not find a group of harder working or honest attorneys. All the attorneys put your best interest first and don't try and sell you what you want to hear. they are the most honest and caring group of attorneys that I have ever had the pleasure to deal with!!
View More Google ReviewsJerry Perna
2018
Retained Lenny Cohen on a recommendation from a close friend. Immediately I felt comfortable in dealing with my divorce, and I was married over 30 years! Always sound advice, he never rushed me into a settlement, always returned my calls, and never overcharged, as I have heard horror stories of other attorney's. My ex wife actually went up to him after the divorce was final, and said, she wished she had him for an attorney!! It was like talking to good friend over a couple of drinks!! Highly recommended!!
View More Google ReviewsNew Jersey Child Custody FAQs
What Could Keep Me From Having Custody of My Children?
Judges in New Jersey generally want to award some level of custody to both parents. They will only deny a parent custody if that parent is deemed unfit. A parent may be deemed unfit if he or she has a history of substance abuse, has a record of domestic violence, or has generally exhibited a lack of care for the child.
Do My Children Get a Say?
Judges can consider the preferences of a child if that child is 12 or older. However, the judge can decide contrary to the child's wishes if he or she believes it is in the child's best interests.
What Is a Custodial Parent? What Is a Noncustodial Parent?
The parent with whom the child resides is the custodial parent. The other parent is the noncustodial parent.
What Is Visitation?
Visitation refers to the noncustodial parent's ability to spend time with the child. In some instances, judges may order supervised visitation, which requires that a social worker be present whenever the noncustodial parent spends time with the child.
Am I Required to Have a Lawyer in a Child Custody Case?
No. You can represent yourself in a child custody case. However, family law in our state is complex, and without the assistance of a lawyer, your ex may take advantage of you. To ensure your rights as a parent are protected, you should enlist the help of a child custody lawyer at Dunne, Dunne & Cohen, with offices in Kearny and Hoboken, NJ.
Do You Have a Complex Case? We'll Call in the Experts
After several decades of practicing family law in New Jersey, our attorneys have developed relationships with the most reliable and knowledgeable legal minds in greater Jersey City. No matter how complicated your custody situation gets, we'll stay in the fight and use our network to your advantage.
