Whether you have been served with notice that your spouse has filed for divorce, or if you are contemplating filing for divorce yourself, there are important steps anyone facing this scenario should undertake. The first is to stay calm. This is obviously easier said than done but it is important…
This September will mark two years since the New Jersey legislature made sweeping revisions to the state’s alimony statutes. The legislature amended the alimony statutes in order to address several pressing issues incluing: making it easier if to reduce alimony payments when a former spouse loses their employment; imposing new…
New Jersey’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act protects individuals in married, dating, cohabiting and co-parenting relationships from eighteen categories of criminal acts by their significant others, including harassment and coercion. In C.G. v. E.G., an unpublished decision dated June 30, 2016, Judge Lawrence Jones, Superior Court of New Jersey, Ocean County, reiterated…
Domestic violence is a serious issue concerning all segments of our society. It affects couples, their children, friends, relatives and employers. New Jersey courts take allegations of domestic violence very seriously and have established protocols in place to protect victims. In order for an act to be considered a domestic…
For many couples experiencing marital difficulties and facing the end of their relationship, divorce mediation can be an appropriate alternative to litigation. While mediation may not fit every situation, for couples who are prepared to address all of the issues related to their relationship, a mediator can often assist in…
Over the years there have been evolving standards used in judicial determinations as to what grounds will be sufficient to permit a parent to relocate out-of-state with their child. Presently, New Jersey has two different standards to apply when these types of matters come before the court. A determination first…
Each spring thousands of New Jersey high school seniors undergo the process of applying to colleges and universities to continue their education. The cost of college tuition, room and board and related expenses can be exorbitant. While the financial strain of funding a child’s higher education to intact families is…
One of the greatest concerns to individuals who are divorcing or contemplating divorce is the possibility that their spouse is hiding or dissipating assets. While such conduct may be the exception rather than the rule such actions on the part of one spouse can have extreme financial consequences to the…
Tax season is now descending upon all of us and for individuals either planning to file for divorce, or those who are presently in the midst of divorce litigation, understanding how your current marital status can impact your tax liability is of significant importance. While each individual’s specific circumstances are…
Examining Harassment Under the PDVA When does ‘annoying’ or ‘alarming’ behavior warrant protection? Nearly half of the 65,000 domestic violence complaints reported in New Jersey each year are based on claims of “harassment.” Our judicial system expends extensive time and effort, case by case, to determine which of those claims qualify as true domestic…