If a person feels that his or her life, safety, or health is at risk because of the acts or threats of another person, he or she may be able to obtain a temporary restraining order from a judge in New Jersey. The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991,…
New Jersey Divorce Lawyers Blog
New Jersey Law Tries To Address Grandparent Visitation Disputes
When grandparents are denied an opportunity to visit their grandchildren, a conflict is bound to arise. On one hand, a parent has a right to decide how his or her child will be raised. On the other hand, removing a grandparent from a child’s life could potentially harm the child. In…
Recent Case Shows Divorced Parents Are Not Always Responsible For Paying Their Child’s College Tuition
A recently published New Jersey case held that a divorced parent is not always liable for a child’s college education. This case involved complex facts, and a number of criteria were considered in addition to the parent/child relationship. Divorce cases can be complex, especially when there are children involved in…
Judge Places Limits On Designated Power Of Attorney In Divorce Proceedings
New Jersey residents are allowed to designate a representative in legal matters. This arrangement, called a Designated Power of Attorney (POA), allows a trusted person to sign documents and negotiate legally binding agreements on your behalf. The right to a POA is expressed in the Revised Durable Power of Attorney…
In New Jersey “Separation” Cases, A Name Change Can Present Additional Hurdles
New Jersey recognizes a concept called “divorce from bed and board,” which is the closest thing our state has to a “legal separation” for a married couple. It is also referred to as a “Limited Divorce”. Divorce from bed and board does not dissolve the marriage in the way that…
Recent New Jersey Law Clarifies The Definition Of Cohabitation In Alimony Modification Cases
Alimony arrangements can become infuriating when the alimony recipient secretly cohabitates with a new partner. This often results in one of two untenable situations: The alimony recipient may be using their alimony disbursements to financially support their new paramour; or the alimony recipient may be receiving cash payments of financial…
New Jersey Family Collaborative Law Act Creates New Options, But It Isn’t For Everyone
The New Jersey Family Collaborative Law Act creates a new way to settle differences in divorce and dissolution cases. This method of cooperative problem solving has its advantages, but when it fails it can potentially add time and expense to the process of terminating marriages and civil unions. If you…
New Jersey Supreme Court Makes Important Ruling Regarding Oral Palimony Agreements
A 2010 change to New Jersey law made oral agreements for palimony unenforceable. But it was unclear whether this change would affect agreements that were already in place. A landmark case was recently decided by the New Jersey Supreme Court, declaring that older oral palimony agreements are still valid. If…
Alimony Reform Law Addresses Inconsistencies Among Alimony Modification Cases
In an alimony arrangement, the “obligor” is the person who is making alimony payments. Sometimes the obligor experiences an unexpected job loss or a reduction in income. This often leads to a request for an alimony modification judgment. An alimony modification can reduce or suspend the obligor’s alimony payment obligation.…
New Jersey Alimony Reform Creates Much Needed Guidelines, But Still Allows Broad Judicial Discretion
Alimony reform has brought sweeping changes to the way New Jersey judges evaluate alimony arrangements. This legislation creates guidelines to encourage predictability and fairness in divorce and separation proceedings. Although courts must adhere to these general guidelines, judges still retain a great deal of discretion in deciding cases. Therefore, you…