Whether an alimony award is permanent or of limited duration, there are instances when it can be either changed or even terminated when circumstances warrant. New Jersey courts have dealt with this issue at great length. There have been instances when alimony has been increased, reduced and sometimes even terminated early. Before making such a […]

If your ex-spouse used misrepresentations, lies, coercion, threats or violence to get you to sign an unfair divorce settlement, then you can seek to vacate the terms of your agreement. Under New Jersey Court Rule 4:50-1, a court may relieve a party from a final judgment or order for the following reasons: “(a) mistake, inadvertence, […]

New Jersey residents are aware that prenuptial agreements can be made that determine how divorce proceedings will go if a couple splits up. It has been generally held that once a couple is married, if they do not have a prenup and they get a divorce, it will be up to lawyers and the court […]

The simple answer to this question is cost. If you and your spouse are sharing the costs of a mediator you have jointly engaged to help you resolve your divorce dispute, it will cost less than each of you retaining separate counsel to litigate every single point of disagreement. Another, perhaps even more compelling reason, […]

In the State of New Jersey, there is no such thing as “legal separation.” While parties may determine that it is in their best interests to physically separate prior to filing a complaint for divorce, the Court does not recognize the end of a marriage until a complaint for divorce is actually filed. While this […]

The division of marital assets is at the core of many New Jersey divorce settlements. Assets that are jointly owned can include common items like real estate, cash and stock portfolios, and often some that are a bit more unusual like expensive wine, art collections or even guns. So, would most people who are embroiled […]

The Supreme Court’s ruling striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional means that, married same sex couples in the 13 states and the District of Columbia which recognize same sex marriage will be entitled to full federal and recognition of their unions. However, that ruling only applies to marriages and not to civil […]

In New Jersey, when a Court considers a divorced party’s application to relocate out of state with their children, various factors are considered. At the outset, the party desiring to relocate must demonstrate that he or she has a good faith reason for the proposed move out of state. And, the moving party must show […]

Read the New Jersey statutes on child custody, child support and alimony and there is not one gender specific reference contained within them.  Yet people still have the impression that only women get alimony or that only women have custody of their children.  I am happy to say that this is not true.  We have […]

Residents of New Jersey and other states are watching a unique legal dispute, thought to be the first of its type, unfold in Texas. Life fell apart for a family after the husband was accused of a number of sex crimes more than three decades ago. His wife contended he couldn’t be guilty of the […]