Led by Angelo Sarno, the family law team at Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC  is well-versed in custody and parenting time issues in New Jersey.

How Parents Can Learn from Taylor Frankie Paul’s Custody and Protective Order Dispute

Reality star and social media influencer Taylor Frankie Paul has recently been involved in a highly publicized custody dispute with her former boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, that involves her young son. Court proceedings have focused on allegations of domestic violence, temporary custody orders, parenting time (supervised), and a mutual protective order of both parents.

As the case continued, the court changed the parenting arrangement/custody and used professionals to evaluate the child’s best interest in this case. Reports read that the parties are still involved in an ongoing custody hearing to try to establish a long-term parenting plan.

Do Protective Orders Affect Custody?

One misconception about custody disputes is that parenting time and protective orders are separate issues. In reality, allegations of domestic violence can relate to how courts act to protect a child while facts are being investigated. Depending on the situation, a judge may order supervised parenting time, temporary custody arrangements, or impose restrictions on the parents’ communications.

Here, in the Taylor Frankie Paul case, the court files and hearings resulted in temporary custody changes, supervised visitation rights, and there were later modifications to parenting time as the court got additional information on the matter.

New Jersey courts are similar and have the authority to enter temporary orders when allegations involving child safety are presented.

Temporary Orders – Not Always Permanent

Another situation that can be seen through Taylor Frankie Paul’s highly publicized case is that a custody order can change as a case continues in court. Parents may be scared when temporary orders are entered against them, and while temporary orders are serious, they can often change and are designed to stabilize situations until the court gets more evidence to make more informed decisions.

In the Taylor Frankie Paul case, parenting custody was changed throughout several hearings. The arrangement started with significant restrictions against Paul, but changed as the court heard and reviewed evidence from both parties.

Courts Now Balance What the Child’s Best Interest is

Media coverage will often show the adults who are involved, but courts have turned away from the default presumption that continuing contact is best for the child and instead ask the question: what arrangement is in the child’s best interest?

Courts will often appoint guardians who can help investigate and make recommendations regarding the child’s welfare. New Jersey courts follow this approach in which Judges evaluate a multitude of factors when determining custody. This includes the child’s safety and interest, how cooperative the parents are able to be, the stability of their home life, the history of the parents and their relationship, and the child’s needs.

Instead of focusing on punishing a parent and rewarding the other, the goal has shifted to creating a situation and arrangement that best fits what the child needs and their interest.

Contact Our Divorce Lawyers in New Jersey

The publicity around Taylor Frankie Paul’s custody case may be unique, but the legal issues are not. Protective orders, temporary custody/parenting time restrictions, and high-conflict co-parenting situations happen in family court often. Whether a case is about a custody dispute, concerns about a child’s safety, or questions about a restraining order, it is important to understand your legal rights before taking action.

If you’re facing divorce and are considering mediation vs. arbitration, our family law attorneys at Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC can help. To schedule a consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer in New Jersey, contact us or call 973-274-5200. We serve clients in several convenient locations, including Roseland, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Eatontown, NJ.