Law Lessons from MICHAEL P. HRYCAK v. RITA HRYCAK, App. Div., A-3645-08T2, October 29, 2009:

In decided custody disputes, “the primary and overarching consideration is the best interest of the child.” Kinsella v. Kinsella, 150 N.J. 276, 317 (1997); see also Sacharow v. Sacharow, 177 N.J. 62, 80 (2003). The Legislature has elaborated upon this best-interest standard by prescribing in N.J.S.A. 9:2-4(c) thirteen non-exclusive factors to be considered by the court in making a custody determination.

In this case, the judge reasonably discounted the stated preferences of the younger son because of his age; as to the older son [who was then age ten], the judge fairly considered – but only as one of thirteen statutory factors – the older son’s preference to live with his mother in California. See, e.g., Wilke v. Culp, 196 N.J. Super. 487, 498 (App. Div. 1984) (underscoring the value of the stated custodial preferences of children who are mature and intelligent enough to express themselves), certif. denied, 99 N.J. 243 (1985); Lavene v. Lavene, 148 N.J. Super. 267, 272 (App. Div.), certif. denied, 75 N.J. 28 (1977).

Also, a judge may appropriately considered the presumptive value in keeping siblings together in the same primary residence, where feasible. See S.M. v. A.W., 281 N.J. Super. 63, 71 (App. Div.), certif. denied, 142 N.J. 571 (1995); see also N.J.S.A. 9:2-4 (recognizing sibling relationships as a custody factor).

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