Date: October 3, 2025Attorney: Rebecca E. Frino

Finding out that your spouse or co-parent struggles with drugs or alcohol is scary. Many parents in this situation feel worried about their kids and don’t know what to do next. The truth is, this happens more often than people think. New Jersey family courts deal with these issues regularly, and there are steps you can take to protect your children.

Judges can require things like breathalyzers (such as Soberlink or Intoxalock), drug testing, or hair follicle testing to make sure a parent is sober during their time with the kids. These tools are there to give parents peace of mind and to keep children safe. If your spouse’s addiction makes you nervous about custody or parenting time, you don’t have to go through it alone. The law allows you to ask for safeguards that put your child’s safety first.

At Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Rebecca Frino and our Matrimonial and Family Law team help parents every day with custody cases that involve substance abuse. We know how stressful this can be, and we work to put protections in place so you can feel more secure.

Co-parenting with someone who struggles with addiction isn’t easy, but with the right legal help, you can create a custody plan that keeps your child safe and supported.

Contact Rebecca Frino or anyone from the Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group.

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