Finding Justice in Family Court
February 12, 2019 - WJLP 'Jersey Matters' for MeTV3 - Jersey Matters with Larry Mendte sits down with FAN-PAC and Parental Rights. Rafael Franco, President of FAN-PAC and Victoria Jakelsky the New Jersey State Coordinator for Parental Rights discuss legislation to ensure children access to both parents regardless of the structure of the family.
Both FAN-PAC and Parental Rights support New Jersey legislation that provides clear guidance to the court that shared physical custody of children when parents separate is the preferred outcome. Bills A-1091 and S-273 will reduce conflict related to the care and support of all children of New Jersey when the parents cannot mutually agree to a parenting time schedule. Many myths exist relating to the family court especially when custody of minor children is an issue. Most people assume that when two loving parents decide to separate, they will be afforded equal time with their children. While many divorcing couples do come to a solution that fits their individual circumstances far too many children are caught in the middle of the conflict that arises when the parents cannot agree. Custody orders are widely divergent from county to county and judge to judge given similar circumstances.
The intent of this legislation is to make clear to both parents that time with children is not leverage and is not in the best interests of our children to be put in the middle of the conflict. FAN-PAC is grateful for the broad-based bi-partisan support these bills have received in the New Jersey Legislature. Both women and men legislators are sponsors of the bills. Our children deserve the certainty of having two, fit loving parents to provide the love, nurturing and guidance all children need.
Existing law in New Jersey states; 9:2-4 “The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public policy of this State to assure minor children of frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage and that it is in the public interest to encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities of child rearing in order to effect this policy.” Bills A-1091 and S-273 strengthen this policy and when implemented throughout New Jersey’s family courts will have a positive impact for generations. Don’t all children deserve the opportunity to love and be loved by both parents? If this is not made clear now, then when? How many more children should experience the trauma of a system that is failing too many? If the system fails one child isn’t that one too many?
Help organizations like FAN-PAC and Parental Rights advocate for all children by empowering their parents to co-parent and cooperate rather than litigate their childhood away.