9:2-7.1. Visitation rights for grandparents, siblings


9:2-7.1.     Visitation rights for grandparents, siblings 
    1.a. A grandparent or any sibling of a child residing in this State may make application before the Superior Court, in accordance with the Rules of Court, for an order for visitation. It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the granting of visitation is in the best interests of the child. 

   b.   In making a determination on an application filed pursuant to this section, the court shall consider the following factors: 

   (1)  The relationship between the child and the applicant;

 

   (2)  The relationship between each of the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing and the applicant; 

   (3)  The time which has elapsed since the child last had contact with the applicant; 

   (4)  The effect that such visitation will have on the relationship between the child and the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing; 

   (5)  If the parents are divorced or separated, the time sharing arrangement which exists between the parents with regard to the child; 

   (6)  The good faith of the applicant in filing the application; 

   (7)  Any history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect by the applicant; and 

   (8)  Any other factor relevant to the best interests of the child. 

   c.   With regard to any application made pursuant to this section, it shall be prima facie evidence that visitation is in the child's best interest if the applicant had, in the past, been a full-time caretaker for the child. 

   L.1971,c.420,s.1; amended 1973,c.100; 1987,c.363,s.2; 1993,c.161,s.1. 
 
9:2-7.2.     Concealment of child; preliminary hearing as to custody 
     1.   When any husband and wife shall live in a state of separation without being divorced and shall have any minor child or children of the marriage, and when either spouse shall willfully conceal the whereabouts of said child or children, the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part, upon application of the aggrieved parent, shall conduct a preliminary hearing as to the custody of said child or children and shall make such order relating thereto for the access of either parent to such child at such times and under such circumstances as it may deem proper. 

    L.1974,c.152,s.1; amended 1991,c.91,s.189. 
 
9:2-9.       Unfit parents and custodians, court action to grant relief 
     9:2-9. When the parents of any minor child or the parent or other person having the actual care and custody of any minor child are grossly immoral or unfit to be intrusted with the care and education of such child, or shall neglect to provide the child with proper protection, maintenance and education, or are of such vicious, careless or dissolute habits as to endanger the welfare of the child or make the child a public charge, or likely to become a public charge; or when the parents of any minor child are dead or cannot be found, and there is no other person, legal guardian or agency exercising custody over such child; it shall be lawful for any person interested in the welfare of such child to institute an action in the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part, in the county where such minor child is residing, for the purpose of having the child brought before the court, and for the further relief provided by this chapter. The court may proceed in the action in a summary manner or otherwise. 

    Amended 1948,c.321,s.7; 1949,c.245,s.1; 1953,c.9,s.6; 1991,c.91,s.190.