How many custody & visitation resources are in New Jersey?

Women's Corner tracks 12 custody & visitation resources for women in New Jersey.

Are custody & visitation resources in New Jersey free?

11 of the 12 listed custody & visitation resources in New Jersey are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in New Jersey have custody & visitation resources?

Listings span cities including Trenton, Newark, Edison, New Brunswick.

What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in New Jersey?

Featured entries include New Jersey Courts — Family Division, Essex County Family Court — Newark, Legal Services of New Jersey — Family Law, NJ State Bar — Lawyer Referral, WomensLaw.org — Custody Information.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

4 of 12 New Jersey custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.

Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?

No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.

How does the court decide who gets custody?

Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.

What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?

Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.

Can I get sole custody?

Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.

Best Custody & Visitation in New Jersey — 12 resources

About Custody & Visitation for Women

Custody and visitation cases for women are handled in state and county family courts under each state's 'best interest of the child' standard. Mothers seeking sole, joint, or primary physical custody can use free self-help centers inside most courthouses to file petitions, parenting plans, and modification requests without an attorney. The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Women's Law Project track state-by-state custody trends, and organizations like the Battered Mothers Custody Conference advocate where abuse intersects with custody. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county family law facilitators, women-focused family law firms, and maternal advocacy organizations.

Custody & Visitation in New Jersey

New Jersey Superior Court Family Part handles family law in each of its 15 vicinages. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton are the largest cities. Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates six regional LSC programs, and the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) supports women statewide.

12 Resources

1. New Jersey Courts — Family Division — Free

New Jersey Courts — Family Division is a New Jersey family-law resource helping mothers with custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Contact (609) 292-4837 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Hours are Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(609) 292-4837 · 25 Market St, Trenton, NJ 08625 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Essex County Family Court — Newark — Free

Based in Newark, Essex County Family Court — Newark supports New Jersey women navigating custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Phone (973) 693-5700 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(973) 693-5700 · 212 Washington St, Newark, NJ 07102 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Legal Services of New Jersey — Family Law — Free

Legal Services of New Jersey — Family Law provides custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters for women in Edison. Reach the team at (888) 576-5529 to schedule a screening. Hours are Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(888) 576-5529 · 100 Metroplex Dr Suite 402, Edison, NJ 08817 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. NJ State Bar — Lawyer Referral

Based in New Brunswick, NJ State Bar — Lawyer Referral supports New Jersey women navigating custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Phone (732) 249-5000 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Paid service with sliding-scale or insurance billing for qualifying women.

(732) 249-5000 · 1 Constitution Sq, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

5. WomensLaw.org — Custody Information — Free

Comprehensive state-by-state custody and visitation legal information specifically for women, written in plain language by attorneys. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

6. ABA Family Law Section — Find a Lawyer — Free

American Bar Association family law section with attorney directory, public resources, and custody guidance. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Federal Office of Child Support Services — Free

OCSS coordinates state child support and custody enforcement. State agency directory and program information for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. USA.gov — Child Custody and Support — Free

Official federal portal for custody and support information with links to every state agency for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. ChildWelfare.gov — Custody Resources — Free

Federal child welfare information gateway. Custody, kinship care, and parenting plan guidance for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges — Free

NCJFCJ — research, training, and resources on family court including custody best practices. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Cornell Legal Information Institute — Family Law — Free

Free legal reference on custody, visitation, and family law from Cornell Law School. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. FindLaw — Child Custody — Free

Free public legal information on custody arrangements, modifications, and enforcement for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many custody & visitation resources are in New Jersey?: Women's Corner tracks 12 custody & visitation resources for women in New Jersey.
Are custody & visitation resources in New Jersey free?: 11 of the 12 listed custody & visitation resources in New Jersey are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in New Jersey have custody & visitation resources?: Listings span cities including Trenton, Newark, Edison, New Brunswick.
What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in New Jersey?: Featured entries include New Jersey Courts — Family Division, Essex County Family Court — Newark, Legal Services of New Jersey — Family Law, NJ State Bar — Lawyer Referral, WomensLaw.org — Custody Information.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 4 of 12 New Jersey custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.
Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?: No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.
How does the court decide who gets custody?: Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.
What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?: Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.
Can I get sole custody?: Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.