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When you get a divorce, your assets and properties need to be split up. It’s often one of the more contentious parts of the process, so it’s important to know what to expect going in. The goal of the state is not to split things up 50/50. Instead the court will use an equitable distribution…

If you are currently embroiled in fights about custody arrangements, you may be wondering if your child’s preference can make a difference. If your child prefers your home, that can definitely be a factor. However, it is far from the only factor the court will consider. If you want to make a more convincing argument,…

Going from single to married to divorced is sure to affect your taxes, so it makes sense that many newly divorced people have questions about how their status will affect them come tax time. This is especially relevant for those who will be receiving some kind of payment from their former spouse as a part…

When you pay child support, you know that it’s supposed to cover a portion of your child’s expenses. Does this include medical expenses? It does, but matters can get a bit complicated when expenses exceed expectations and some other factors, like who has health insurance, may affect your child support arrangement. Fortunately, our Morris County,…

When you are a noncustodial parent, you know that you’ll have to pay child support until your child is legally considered an adult. What happens if they go to school for a bachelor’s degree though? Do you have to pay for college costs as well? A court can order you to pay some of these…

Most of the time when people think of custody arrangements, they think of one parent having the kids most of the time and the other getting visitation rights for select weekdays, weekends, and holidays. However, it is possible to ask for a 50/50 custody arrangement in which both parents spend equal time with the kids.…

There are many things to think about before you decide to file for a divorce. One thing that some people don’t carefully consider is whether or not they can afford it. A divorce can be quite expensive. If your breakup is contentious and you and your spouse are going to argue over everything, then it’s…

We are thrilled to announce that Angela M. Scafuri was nominated for Vice Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) Women in the Profession Section. This determination was made by the NJSBA Nominating Committee for Leadership Positions in The Section, and the term is set to run until May 2025. Of note, Ms.…

There are many matters that you and your spouse are going to have to agree on before your divorce can be finalized. Going through the courts to solve every issue can be expensive, and after all of that you could end up having a judge make decisions that make both parties unhappy. This is why…

We are excited to announce that Angela M. Scafuri will be speaking at the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting on a CLE panel. The panel is called “Challenging Situations With Clients Involving Cultural Sensitivity,” and is happening on Thursday, 5/16. Click here for the full list of CLE seminars and speakers.

When you divorce and have children, you need a child custody plan. When you have pets, you might need a pet custody plan. Due to how the law differs in its treatment of children and animals though, you and your spouse are probably going to have to come together and make this kind of agreement…

When people split custody of their children after a divorce, most end up in their own living space, and the kids go back and forth, depending on who has custody of them. A nesting arrangement works a bit differently. Our Morris County, NJ child custody attorneys can tell you if it might be a good…

You have to file in the right state when you want a divorce. That’s a simple matter for many couples, but it can get complicated in a military divorce. Armed armed forces members can get moved to different bases or deployed overseas. You could be stuck if you’re unsure which state to file for divorce.…

When you get a divorce in New Jersey, you can decide to file for a fault-based divorce. You can give a specific reason why your marriage is ending and why you are filing. You don’t have to do this though, even when there is a good reason to ask for a divorce. Our Morris County,…

When parents divorce, the court wants both parents to contribute to the needs of the children. If you are a non-custodial parent, chances are that you are going to have to pay child support. So what happens if you suddenly find yourself unable to pay child support? Just stopping payments is rarely a good idea.…

If you are going through a divorce and you believe that your spouse has a substance abuse problem, that can be worrying. It can be especially worrying if you have children and you are concerned about custody and visitation. If you want to show the court that your spouse has an issue that they need…

If you cannot afford to pay alimony, you have a problem. You made an agreement to pay a certain amount after your divorce concluded and you can be punished through the legal system if you do not make good on your end of that agreement. However, circumstances change and the court can be made to…

Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark is honored to announce that seven of our partners have been named as New Jersey Super Lawyers as published by Thomson Reuters for 2024. All seven partners handle all Divorce and Family Law Matters. Congratulations to all! (No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New…

After a divorce, one parent can end up being the custodial parent. This means that the kids live with them most of the time. The other parent then has to make child support payments. How much these payments can be depends on a number of factors, including the number of children that you have. It…

When you divorce, all of your assets need to be divided up. This includes digital ones, including cryptocurrency. The law is not always great at keeping up with the latest technological advances, but we can say that for sure. If you or your spouse have invested in cryptocurrency, or “crypto” for short, it’s going to…

You know that going through a divorce means that property will have to be divided up, but how does this apply to gifts that both spouses have received? Fortunately, you should be able to keep most of the items you received as gifts during your marriage after your divorce goes through. There are some potentially…

Dividing up everything you own together can be one of the most difficult parts of the divorce process, and one thing that can really complicate matters is a mortgage. If you’re still paying off your home, what should you do? You have some options, and our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers can help you pick…

Deciding who should have custody of the children after a divorce can be a complicated process. If there are special needs children involved, there may be even more considerations to make before awarding custody to one parent and developing a child support agreement. If you believe that you should be the primary caretaker for your…

Financial stability is a factor when the court makes custody decisions, but do not worry if your spouse has more money and riches than you. This is not going to be the only factor considered when custody decisions are being made. You can still be in your child’s life or gain primary custody even if…

If you are going through a divorce, you probably already understand that you and your spouse’s assets are going to be split up. However, many people are often confused about exactly what kinds of assets can actually be divided up during divorce. What about stock options from your job? You earned them, but some could…

A divorce agreement often stipulates that one person has to pay their former partner spousal support, also known as alimony. If you are the payor, you cannot simply decide that you are not paying alimony anymore. There are consequences for skipping out on this obligation, and some are quite harsh. Instead of ignoring a court…

A parenting plan is a necessity for any former couple who is trying to co-parent after a divorce. A written plan can make it easier for both parents to have input on the major decisions in the lives of their children. Our Morris County, NJ child custody attorneys can help you work out a plan…

TTN is pleased to announce that Laurie Newmark, Esq. has been approved to the NJ Judiciary Roster of Statewide Approved Parenting Coordinators and is now accepting parent coordinator cases. Of note, the NJ Parenting Coordinator Program is intended to help parents implement their parenting plan and resolve day-to-day parenting issues with the assistance of a…

If you are the custodial parent, you cannot just refuse visitation to your children’s other parent for no reason. Even if you think that you have a good reason for keeping your children away from your former partner, doing it without going to court first can land you in hot water. Our Morris County, NJ…

After a divorce, both parents have the right to spend time with their children. However, sometimes there are situations in which one parent should not be left alone with their kids. This is when the court can demand supervised visitation. Whether you are the custodial parent or the one who gets visitation rights, our Morris…

If your partner is paying child support, you probably want to know exactly what those payments are meant to cover. If you’re a working parent, one chief concern is probably daycare costs. Fortunately, your child support arrangement can be calculated with these expenses in mind. Our Morris County, NJ child support attorneys can help you…

A same-sex divorce is similar to a divorce between a straight couple, but there are some elements of a same-sex relationship that could complicate matters. That is why it is a good idea to consult with our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers. We can tell you more about how you can protect yourself and your…

After a divorce, one spouse usually ends up making alimony payments. There is no set way to calculate exactly how much alimony should be paid, nor are there too many completely definitive rules about how long an alimony agreement should last. As a result, courts have a lot of latitude when setting alimony, so it’s…

Many divorces can get nasty, but an uncontested divorce probably won’t. This is because couples in an uncontested divorce are actually able to negotiate with each other so that they can come to some agreements on key tenets of their divorce settlement. If you are on good enough terms to negotiate with your spouse, that’s…

Temporary orders are just what they sound like. They are orders that are generally meant to be adhered to for as long as the divorce takes. Even a relatively amicable divorce can take a while to complete. In the meantime, you need to figure out who can live in the house, who can use which…

A divorce can be a complex process, which means that it can be easy to overlook some things and make errors that can be sources of additional stress later on. That is why we recommend talking to our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers before you really get into this process. We can help you protect…

Going through a divorce can be stressful for anyone, but it can be especially difficult when children are involved. If you are looking for ways to look out for your child during the divorce and keep them protected from some of the worst parts of the process, our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers can help…

Domestic violence can certainly be brought up when you and your spouse are arguing over alimony. If your spouse abused you and then asks for alimony, you can try to make a case that they do not deserve spousal support because of their history. Our Morris County, NJ alimony and spousal support lawyers may be…

An alimony agreement is often made with the financial situations of both spouses in mind. So if something major changes, like someone losing their job, shouldn’t that affect the agreement? A job loss can be grounds for modifying an existing agreement, but you should not automatically assume that you can stop paying alimony just because…

Signing a prenuptial agreement is a big decision. Even presenting your partner with one can be a nerve-racking experience, although this can probably mostly be blamed on the reputation these documents have picked up thanks to TV and movies. A prenup does not mean that you do not trust your partner though. It can be…

It is rare that a spouse who is on disability would end up paying alimony. These payments are meant as spousal support, and it seems hard to believe that someone who cannot work would have to support someone else who is capable of supporting themselves. Still, there are some ways that disability can affect your…

When you are hashing out a child support agreement, the most important thing is that the needs of the child or children are met. Another important thing is that both parents are providing for the children in some way. This can mean that the relative wealth of each spouse actually does not matter too much.…

If you are running a successful business, you do not want to have to give up a chunk of it just because you got divorced. A business can be considered marital property though, so it is important to know how you can protect your business assets and fight back against anyone who wants to take…

Mediation is a good way to handle a custody dispute, but it may not be the best method for everyone. Our Morristown divorce mediation lawyers can take a closer look at your situation and figure out which types of negotiations could lead to the best outcome for you. If you are unfamiliar with what a…

Recently, Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, L.L.C. was featured on the 2023 Top Morris County Lawyers List by Morris & Essex Magazine. The TTN Team received this honor thanks to votes by attorneys across the county, who deemed them as the best within their practice and who they would seek out for any of their family…

If you have dreams and financial goals, being with a spouse who is financially irresponsible could wreck everything that you have planned. You have done your best to work with your spouse and try to address this issue, but nothing has worked. It is not uncommon for people to think of pursuing a divorce at…

It is rare that divorce is an easy thing to go through, but sometimes the process is made especially difficult by a spouse who just loves to cause conflict. If this sounds like exactly what is happening to you right now, then you need a professional who can help you navigate a high-conflict divorce. Our…

If you and your spouse acquire debt during your marriage, it ends up being treated similarly to an asset when you divorce. It must be split up among both spouses like anything else, but some of our clients have questions about how this debt can affect alimony payments. Much of the time, your debt acquired…

Obviously, the financial needs of a spouse are going to be considered when alimony payments are calculated. However, finances are not the only thing that could affect how much alimony is awarded or even what kind of alimony is awarded. There are numerous other factors that could play a role in determining your final divorce…

You know that marital assets all have to be divided up in a divorce, but what about the accounts that only have your name on them? A separate bank account that is only in your name must be your asset alone, right? Things are not actually this simple. A separate bank account can easily become…

When you get a divorce, all of the marital property needs to be divided up fairly. Some items that can be tough to part with are your artwork and collectibles. Not only can these items possess significant monetary value, but they can also have a lot of sentimental value. If you want to be sure…

If you have an emotionally abusive spouse, a difficult divorce process becomes even harder to get through. You do not have to go it alone though. The support of our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers can help you get through this. We will help you show the court your spouse’s true colors and we will…

If you are getting a divorce and you have investments and stocks, you may be wondering what happens to such assets. That can depend on a few different factors, but you can usually expect investments and stocks to get split up like other property in a divorce. If you want to be sure that you…

Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, L.L.C. is pleased to announce that Pegeen C. Williams, Esq. joined our firm in July 2023. Peg is a divorce and family law attorney, who has been practicing in New Jersey since 2006. More specifically, she is experienced in handling all facets of contested and uncontested family law matters, such as…

Going to court can be one of the most stressful, and the most expensive, parts of the divorce process. Many of our clients ask us if there are ways to get a divorce without going to court, and the good news is that there are methods that can keep your time spent in court to…

If your spouse commits adultery, that can seem like a valid reason to file for divorce. Does the state agree with you though? Is adultery grounds for divorce? Our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers can answer those questions and many more. Is Adultery Grounds for Divorce in New Jersey? When you get divorced in New…

The divorce mediation process can be helpful to many couples, but it is not designed for everyone. If the conditions are not right and something is preventing the couple from coming together to negotiate, another path forward may have to be chosen. Our Morristown divorce mediation lawyers can take a look at your situation and…

Getting a divorce can be difficult enough, but having a spouse who just will not cooperate with the process can make everything seem so much more difficult. Fortunately, the courts in New Jersey can account for such things. Even if your spouse will not cooperate and work with you, you can still get a divorce.…

Property division is a big part of the divorce process. People will expect things like houses, cars, and other assets to be divided up as equitably as possible, but not everyone realizes that pets can be a part of this process as well. Our furry friends are often considered property in the eyes of the…

You and your soon-to-be former spouse are not the only ones going through something when you are negotiating a divorce. Your children are feeling this too, even if they are not completely aware of what is going on. You need to take the time to comfort them and address their concerns and feelings. This is…

Whether it is due to a divorce or other factors, sometimes a grandparent can find themself cut off from their grandchild. This is a heartbreaking situation, but you may have legal options if this is happening to you. The state of New Jersey does give grandparents some rights here, and the Morris County, NJ child…

When you meet with your divorce lawyer for the first time, you want to be sure that you are prepared for it. Part of that means bringing the right documents to that initial consultation. If you have the right information with you, that can make it easier for our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers to…

When a couple divorces, the marital assets all have to be split up equitably. Is your spouse’s business a marital asset though? Are you entitled to a share of it? These can be tricky questions to answer, but it is not uncommon for one spouse to receive a share of another spouse’s business after a…

Establishing the paternity of a child can have benefits for them as well as both parents. It is well worth it to ensure that everyone has their rights recognized and the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships with a parent or child. If you are confused about this process or have questions about how you can…

When a couple gets divorced, the assets are supposed to be split in an equitable way. When one spouse decides to hide money or other valuables, they are interfering with that process and committing financial fraud. If you believe that your spouse may be committing fraud and trying to take advantage of you during the…

A divorce means splitting up everything that you and your spouse own, and that includes any pets. If you want to make sure that you keep the dog or cat, our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers can help you make the most effective possible argument for pet custody. Is a Pet Considered Property in New…

Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark is honored to announce that four of our partners have been named as New Jersey Super Lawyers as published by Thomson Reuters for 2023. All four partners are Certified Matrimonial Law Attorneys and handle all Divorce and Family Law Matters. (No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme…

There are many factors that can affect how long an alimony agreement can last in the state of New Jersey. One is the length of time that you were married. Generally, the longer you are married the longer one spouse will have to make alimony payments, but many of the specifics are up to a…

A divorce involving a spouse that is in the military can get a bit more complex, but it’s nothing that one of the knowledgeable Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers from our firm cannot handle. Can You Serve a Member of the Military With Divorce Papers? If your spouse is deployed or on active duty, it…

Generally, the answer is yes. If you have received gifts and they were not things designated for both you and your spouse, they are your property. Some exceptions can apply though, and sometimes things do get messy. This is why it can be wise to consult one of our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers and…

If you have a joint credit card and you are getting a divorce, it probably seems like canceling them is the logical thing to do. It is, but you also have to take some additional actions to protect yourself, your finances, and your credit. Consulting with our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers and taking some…

In New Jersey, the divorce process can begin as soon as one person in the marriage files for it. It can take months or even more than a year to complete a divorce from the date of the initial filing, especially if there are many different issues to be worked out. Even an amicable divorce…

If you're like most people you believe in planning for the future. Unfortunately, we never know what life may throw our way next, so it's important to always have a "plan b" in place, so to speak. In today's day and age, more and more young couples are recognizing this, and more and more couples…

TTN Law is proud to announce that we are now taking criminal cases on behalf of our clients in Morris County, Bergen County, and throughout New Jersey. Our criminal law practice will be headed by Rita T. Jerejian, Esq. We handle a wide range of criminal cases, particularly those that also involve family law matters.…

Going through a divorce is an emotional and complicated part of a person's life. Unfortunately, it is also incredibly common. In fact, roughly 50% of Americans get divorced in today's day and age. That being said, if you are about to get a divorce, it is paramount that you create a comprehensive financial plan for…

The divorce process can completely change a person's financial status. This is because assets that were shared by the married couple must now be distributed between both divorcing spouses in a New Jersey divorce. If you're thinking about filing for divorce, you might have questions about how your retirement accounts will be handled during this…

The divorce process is complicated for various different reasons. Many spouses worry about the division of assets because splitting shared property between two people is inevitably stressful. The good news is that knowledgeable law firms like ours are here to help! Continue reading this blog to find out if any legal agreements can be changed…

Unfortunately, in today's society, many couples deal with the issue of domestic violence. Many believe that domestic violence only occurs when one partner physically harms the other. However, mental and emotional abuse is also classified as domestic violence. More often than not domestic violence leads to divorce. When a couple seeking a divorce has children,…

You may have an idea about what child custody outcome you will prefer at the finalization of your divorce. What's more, your child may have a preference too. Follow along to find out whether your child can talk to a judge about the custody case at hand and how one of the proficient Morris County…

The financial side of the divorce process can be difficult to deal with because a person's finances can completely change once a divorce is finalized. Assets, debts, and property are divided between spouses, and each party may need to pay the other alimony or child support. Many spouses in New Jersey wonder if alimony requests…

Divorce is inevitably a stressful time in anyone's life. A person's entire world can be flipped upside down by the time a divorce is finalized. Not only are assets and properties divided between spouses, but divorcing couples also need to worry about other factors like alimony, child custody, child support, shared retirement plans, and more.…

Nowadays, many couples are turning to prenuptial agreements to help them have more control over their finances before, during, and after marriage. There are still various misconceptions surrounding these marital agreements; many people still seem to think that prenups are only helpful for wealthier couples. In reality, spouses of any financial status can benefit from…

The divorce process can be complicated, especially when it comes to the financial side of the proceedings. A divorce can have a significant effect on someone's finances in multiple ways. Due to legal fees and other expenses, the average cost of a divorce in New Jersey is around $15,000. Throughout the legal proceedings, shared assets…

Prenuptial agreements, or prenups, are marital agreements created before marriage that allow spouses to set certain terms for their marriage, such as how shared property will be divided between parties. Today, there are still plenty of misconceptions about prenups. Many people seem to believe that prenups are only useful for wealthy couples. In reality, couples…

There is still quite some stigma regarding prenuptial agreements, but these legal documents can be extremely helpful for couples both during and after their marriage. Prenups aren't just for high-net-worth couples; they can be essential for couples of any economic status to protect their assets. To create a valid and legally-binding prenuptial agreement in New…

Sharing custody of your child can be a difficult situation to deal with. However, parents must comply with legally-binding child custody arrangements, even if they personally don't like the situation. There are some emergency cases that warrant a parent to refuse visitation without penalty. To learn more about this issue, continue reading this blog or…

When dividing assets during the divorce process, the method of splitting assets depends on what state you live in. Most states today use the equitable distribution concept for marital asset division, but some states use what's called a community property concept. The differences in these methods have a huge effect on final divorce settlements, especially…

In general, there are two main types of divorce: contested and uncontested. Contested divorces are rarer because one spouse needs to prove in court that the other spouse committed an act (like adultery or abuse) that caused the marriage to end. Meanwhile, spouses can simply cite the irreconcilable differences in their marriage in order to…

As you might already know, divorce is a complicated and sometimes time-consuming process. Divorce is a significant life event that comes with a large emotional cost along with legal fees. Many people who are considering divorce or those who are in the beginning stages of divorce might wonder how much money the entire process will…

You've probably heard that almost half of the marriages end in divorce in the United States. Thankfully, the divorce rate has steadily decreased over the past decade, but the percentage of married couples who get divorced is between 40% and 50%. The rate also varies for each age group, and the divorce rate for married…

We know that divorce can be a complicated process when it comes to determining how assets are divided between spouses. Perhaps you heard about needing to file a QDRO, but you aren't quite sure what it is. You are not alone! You can count on an experienced divorce attorney to guide you through this difficult…

The divorce process can be complicated for many different reasons. When the spouses' shared assets are split between both parties, shared debt is split too. Many people wonder how the division of debt is decided in a divorce. Read on to find out more about the divorce process in New Jersey or reach out to…

Around this time of year, many families are excitedly making plans for the holiday season. For separated families, making holiday arrangements can be stressful. If you're a divorced parent with joint custody, you may be worried about figuring out a child custody schedule for the various holidays. Read on or reach out to one of…

While divorce is fairly common, the process can be painful and unnecessarily difficult. Many people today are turning to mediation to handle divorce disputes rather than litigation. Are you going through a divorce and considering hiring a divorce mediator? Read on to learn more about mediation and how our professional Morristown divorce mediation lawyers can…

If you are entering a high net-worth divorce in the state of New Jersey, you will want to keep a number of things in mind. Continue reading and give our skilled Morris County NJ divorce lawyers. Our legal team is committed to ensuring you and your finances are protected during this stressful time. Here are…

If you would like to learn more about how remarriage can impact child support in New Jersey, do not hesitate to reach out to our legal team today to discuss this further with our Morris County NJ child support attorneys. Why does the state of New Jersey impose child support guidelines? You will want to…

If you have considered divorce, but have wondered about its benefits for you, you should know that the Garden State does offer you additional options. Unlike some states, New Jersey does not have a "legal separation" for married couples, but it does offer something similar: "divorce from bed and board," also known as limited divorce.…

Many surveys have listed divorce as the second-most stressful event in a person's life, which may explain why most divorcing couples fret about the time it will take to go through the process. In most cases, a divorce takes about a year. However, a host of factors will either lengthen or shorten the process. For…

Because it involves spouses who can't agree on one or more divorce-related issues in their case, a "contested" divorce is the most complicated of divorces. For more information on the nature of contested divorces in New Jersey, please continue reading, then contact one of our experienced Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers as soon as possible.…

Many couples going through a divorce are unsure about how to divide pricey personal items. To learn more, continue reading and give our legal team a call today to speak with our skilled Morris County NJ divorce lawyers. What is personal property vs. separate property? Many people are unsure about the difference between personal property…