Lebanon Township Child Custody Lawyers
Key Takeaways:
- Daniel B. Tune, Esq., has been certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Matrimonial Trial Attorney since 2015 and previously served as President of the Hunterdon County Bar Association Executive Committee.
- Tune Law Group, LLC offers a free initial consultation and bills family law matters through an “hourly retainer” rather than a contingency fee, since a child custody case does not produce a monetary settlement.
- New Jersey significantly amended its custody statute, N.J.S.A. 9:2-4, effective January 20, 2026, making child safety a threshold consideration that a judge must weigh before anything else.
Why Lebanon Township Families Choose Tune Law Group, LLC
Daniel B. Tune, Esq., is the Managing Partner of Tune Law Group, LLC and has practiced family law in Hunterdon County for more than two decades. The New Jersey Supreme Court certified him as a Matrimonial Trial Attorney in 2015, a credential that requires substantial trial experience and ongoing education in family law. In 2014, the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys named him a Top 10 Under 40 attorney for excellence in the field.
Mr. Tune served as President of the Hunterdon County Bar Association Executive Committee and as Chair of the Hunterdon County Domestic Violence Committee. In 2012, he helped establish the SAFE Haven program, which connects domestic violence victims with volunteer attorneys for pro bono representation, and he received the Community of Light Social Justice Award for that work.
One reviewer, whose case involved custody, described Mr. Tune as someone who quickly understood the nuances of her situation and kept her child’s best interests in mind throughout the case. Readers can review additional client testimonials or read Mr. Tune’s full attorney profile.
Types of Child Custody Arrangements in New Jersey
New Jersey courts generally recognize three custody arrangements:
- Joint legal custody allows both parents to make decisions for the child while one parent typically serves as the primary residential parent.
- Sole legal and physical custody gives one parent full decision-making authority and day-to-day responsibility for the child.
- Shared legal and physical custody divides both decision-making and parenting time equally, often through alternating weekly schedules.
Every family situation differs, and the right arrangement depends on the child’s needs, each parent’s circumstances, and any safety concerns in the household. The firm’s blog post on the “Different Child Custody Arrangements Available in a New Jersey Divorce” walks through these options in additional detail.
How New Jersey Courts Determine Custody
New Jersey courts decide custody under N.J.S.A. 9:2-4, which directs a judge to weigh a list of best-interest factors, including each parent’s ability to communicate, the child’s relationship with each parent, the stability of each home, and any history of domestic violence. Effective January 20, 2026, the New Jersey Legislature amended this statute to make child safety a threshold issue that a court must resolve before it applies any presumption favoring shared parenting time. The amendment also gives greater weight to the expressed preferences of a child who is old enough to reason about the decision.
Custody cases originating in Lebanon Township are heard by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part, within the Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren vicinage, based at the Hunterdon County Justice Center in Flemington.
What It Costs to Hire Tune Law Group, LLC
Tune Law Group, LLC offers a free initial consultation to discuss the facts of a custody matter and outline a strategy. Because a custody case resolves parenting rights rather than a monetary claim, the firm bills its family law representation through an hourly rate and retainer rather than a contingency fee. The retainer amount depends on whether a case proceeds through negotiation, mediation, or contested litigation, and the firm reviews this structure with every client during the initial consultation.
What Lebanon Township Families Should Know
Lebanon Township sits at the northern edge of Hunterdon County, bordering Warren and Morris Counties, and covers roughly 31.7 square miles with a population of approximately 6,195 residents. The township’s rural character means that many families know each other, which can make a contested custody dispute feel especially public. Tune Law Group, LLC operates from an office in nearby Whitehouse Station, a short drive from Lebanon Township along Route 22 and Route 31, and the firm’s lawyers regularly appear before the Family Part judges who hear Hunterdon County custody matters.
Common Sources of Custody Disputes
Custody disagreements in Lebanon Township and throughout Hunterdon County tend to arise from a recurring set of issues:
- Disagreements over where the child will primarily reside and attend school.
- One parent’s request to relocate outside New Jersey with the child.
- Allegations of domestic violence or substance abuse affecting a parent’s fitness.
- Conflicts over holiday, summer, or extracurricular scheduling.
- A parent’s unwillingness to communicate or cooperate on decisions affecting the child.
How a Lebanon Township Child Custody Lawyer Can Help
A lawyer can help a parent understand which custody arrangement fits the family’s circumstances and can present evidence addressing the statutory best-interest factors. When both parents are safe and capable caregivers, the firm often pursues mediation or a collaborative approach to reach a workable parenting plan without a trial. When safety is a genuine concern, such as in cases involving domestic violence, the firm prepares to litigate for an arrangement that protects the child. Because custody, parenting time, and child support often arise together during a New Jersey divorce, the firm coordinates these related issues under one strategy.
For Answers to All Your Child Custody Questions: Contact Our Knowledgeable Lebanon Township Child Custody Lawyers at Tune Law Group, LLC
A child custody dispute affects the most important relationships in a parent’s life, and the outcome deserves careful legal strategy. Our Lebanon Township child custody lawyers at Tune Law Group, LLC have guided Hunterdon County families through custody matters for years and will review the facts of your case. To schedule a free consultation, call 908-434-1061 today or complete our online contact form. Located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.
