Law Offices of Steven P. Monaghan
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Legal Guardianship?

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Legal Guardianship Attorney

Helping You Open The Next Chapter Of Your Life: (732) 876-9326

When life throws you a curve ball, Law Offices of Steven P. Monaghan is here to help you. If you are looking to establish or enforce guardianship in , contact our family law firm. If circumstances no longer allow for the child’s birth parents to care for him or her, we can help you establish legal guardianship for the child. As a legal guardian, you essentially take on the responsibilities of a parent. If you are considering applying for legal guardianship, we would be proud to offer you our unparalleled legal services. We believe that all children deserve to be provided for. We applaud your efforts and would be proud to help you file the necessary paperwork in your journey toward becoming a legal guardian.

Rights & Responsibilities Of A Legal Guardian

While most often the caretaker is a close relative of the child, legal guardians are not required to be related to the child. If a grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle cannot fulfill the role of legal guardian, this role may be entrusted to another relative or close family friend. Regardless of your relationship with the child, as his or her legal guardian, you will be granted the same rights and responsibilities that a parent would have.

  • The Child’s Medical Care
  • The Child’s Education
  • The Child’s Residence
  • The Child’s Financial Support
  • Granting The Child, If Under 18, Permission To Get Married
  • Granting The Child, If Under 18, Permission To Enlist In The Military

We Have The Answers You Need

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Questions

  • What Is A Legal Guardian?

    Answer

    A legal guardian is a non-parent who takes on all the legal responsibility for a child. Legal guardians are responsible for the care and support of the child or children. In order to establish guardianship, you must file papers in court. You will be required to pay a filing fee when you file your petition stating your interest in obtaining guardianship. Next, you will file a letter of consent from the child’s parents. From here, the court will set up interviews and may order a home visit and background check.

  • What Are The Benefits Of Becoming A Legal Guardian?

    Answer

    Becoming the legal guardian of a child has many benefits. Unlike foster parents, legal guardians are responsible for making key decisions for the minor. Legal guardianship is advantageous for long-term care. It is a means of providing the same care and love that a parent may be unable to offer the child.

  • How Does Guardianship Differ From Adoption?

    Answer

    During the adoption process, the biological parents’ rights are terminated and the adoptive parents become the child’s legal parents. Unlike adoption, as the legal guardian of the child, you will not be required to terminate the child’s legal relationship to his or her parents. The birth parents of the child will still have the right and responsibility of support and visitation.

  • Steven P. Monaghan

    Board-Certified Matrimonial Law Expert

    Steven P. Monaghan, a highly respected divorce lawyers, focuses his practice exclusively in this area, including handling litigation, collaborative matters, and mediation, and has been Certified by the New Jersey Supreme in Matrimonial Law since 2006. This certification is awarded only to attorneys who have demonstrated their skill and achievement in matrimonial law.

    With 23 years of experience, Mr. Monaghan has a proven dedication to the law and helping families. He has served on the Monmouth County Family Law Committee and has also been a private arbitrator for the Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel Program for 16 years and is a qualified mediator participating in the Mediation Program for Economic Aspects of Family Law since the program began. He has been appointed as Guardian Ad Litem for children of families going through litigation and has been trusted to resolve hundreds of high conflict cases before litigation.

  • Kristin S. Pallonetti

    Attorney

    Kristin S. Pallonetti, Esq. is one of the top family law attorneys in the area. In 2014 she was named one of the Top Young Attorneys in New Jersey by Super Lawyers Rising Stars. She was again named by Super Lawyers as a New Jersey Rising Star in 2015.

    She has an active family law trial practice, and she has tried numerous cases, including cases that involve domestic violence, alimony cohabitation, child support, parenting time, custody, and enforcement of support and custody orders. Before embarking on her private practice, Ms. Pallonetti completed a judicial law clerkship with the Honorable Eugene A. Iadanza, A.J.S.C., former presiding Judge of Monmouth and Mercer Counties, where her focus as a clerk was in the area of family and juvenile law. She also served as a Court Mediator for the Special Civil Division under the supervision of the Honorable Lisa P. Thorton, JA.J.S.C. where she mediated countless cases.

    Ms. Pallonetti's prior legal experience also included a clerkship at the New Haven County Court where she aided victims of domestic violence in file temporary restraining orders. She also served in clerkship with the firm Campbell, Foley, Lee, Murphy & Cernigliaro in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and a clerkship with the Law Offices of Erskine D. McIntosh in Hamden, Connecticut.

    Ms. Pallonetti graduated Cum Laude from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and a minor in English in 2003. She received her Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2008 where she was the Executive VP of the Mock Trial Honor Society, recipient of the Sappern Fellowship, Admissions Ambassador for the law school and a member in both the Family Law and Constitutional Law Societies.

  • Jessica L. Berg

    Attorney

    Divorce Attorney Jessica L. Berg practices exclusively in matrimonial law at the Law Office of Steven P. Monaghan, LLC. Since graduating Widener University School of Law, where she received recognition for her volunteer and pro bono work, she gained valuable experience working at a firm that solely handled family law matters, as well as experience with the non-profit group, the Community Health Law Project, that assists disabled individuals with matrimonial and civil law issues. Ms. Berg also worked with the Delaware Civil Clinic and was certified by the Supreme Court of Delaware to handle and litigate cases involving obtaining protection or restraining orders for those harmed by domestic violence and abuse.

Why Choose Our Firm?

Clients First. Quality Always.

  • 30+ Years of Combined Experience

  • Thousands of Cases Handled

  • Exclusively Practicing Family Law

  • Certified by the Supreme Court of NJ

  • Complimentary, In-Person Consultations

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Let Us Help You Become A Legal Guardian

We Support Your Decision & Would Be Proud To Help You Navigate The Legal Proceedings

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