Child Custody Attorneys Who Prioritize What Matters Most

In any custody dispute, the stakes are never just legal — they’re deeply personal. Your relationship with your child, your role in their life, and your influence on their future are on the line. Courts may claim to act “in the best interests of the child,” but those outcomes often depend on how well your case is presented, supported, and defended.

At Ratliff Jackson LLP, we represent parents in custody proceedings across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, combining courtroom strength with a deep understanding of family dynamics. Whether you’re going through divorce, responding to a custody petition, or seeking to enforce or modify an order, we provide the strategic guidance and legal protection your family deserves.

Types of Custody We Handle

Custody disputes are rarely one-dimensional. Our attorneys handle all forms of legal and physical custody arrangements, including:

• Joint custody and shared parenting time plans
• Sole custody in cases of abuse, neglect, or instability
• Custody modification based on changed circumstances
• Interstate and relocation disputes
• Emergency custody and restraining orders
• Custody enforcement when a parent violates orders

We also represent parents in non-divorce custody matters — including those involving unmarried parents, grandparents’ rights, or child protective investigations.

The Legal Standard: Best Interests of the Child

Courts in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania apply a “best interests” standard when determining custody. That standard considers:

• The child’s age, needs, and stability
• Each parent’s ability to provide a safe, supportive environment
• The relationship between parent and child
• Any history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or neglect
• The willingness of each parent to support the child’s relationship with the other parent
• School, medical, and mental health considerations
• In some cases, the child’s preferences (based on age and maturity)

Our role is to demonstrate — through facts, records, and testimony — that your proposed custody arrangement meets those interests more effectively and reliably than the alternative.

We Don’t Just Negotiate Custody — We Litigate It

Custody isn’t a formality. It’s a legal battleground, especially when parents disagree, accusations fly, or one side refuses to compromise. At Ratliff Jackson LLP, we prepare every custody case as if it’s going to trial — because in many cases, it does.

We work with:

• Custody evaluators, child psychologists, and parenting coordinators
• School and medical professionals to build evidence of parenting involvement
• Law enforcement and DCPP/CYS agencies when safety concerns arise
• Court-appointed guardians ad litem when needed

You don’t get second chances in custody litigation. We make sure your first impression — and every step that follows — is strategic, persuasive, and legally sound.

Frequently Asked Questions: Child Custody

How is custody different from visitation or parenting time?

Custody refers to legal decision-making (legal custody) and physical care (physical custody). Parenting time (formerly “visitation”) refers to the schedule of when each parent physically spends time with the child.

Can a parent get full custody in New Jersey or Pennsylvania?

Yes — but it’s rare unless the other parent is proven unfit or unwilling to co-parent. Courts prefer some level of shared involvement unless serious safety or stability concerns exist.

Can custody be changed after the initial order?

Yes. Custody orders can be modified if there’s been a substantial change in circumstances affecting the child’s welfare. Examples include relocation, changes in school performance, or a parent’s misconduct.

What happens if my co-parent violates the custody order?

You can file for enforcement or contempt of court. Repeated violations — especially those that interfere with the child’s well-being — can lead to modified custody or supervised visitation.

Does the child get to choose who they live with?

In some cases, yes. Courts may consider a child’s wishes depending on age, maturity, and circumstances — but it’s only one factor among many.

Custody Is About Stability, Not Just Schedules. We’ll Help You Protect Both.

If you’re involved in a custody dispute — or see one on the horizon — early legal action can make all the difference. At Ratliff Jackson LLP, we fight to protect your parental rights while keeping your child’s future at the center of every decision.

Call 856-209-3111 or contact us online to schedule a confidential custody consultation. We’ll explain your rights, your options, and how we plan to win your case — whether through negotiation or litigation.

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