One of the first things that you and your attorney will assess is whether you need any experts for your divorce case.
There are many types of experts that can be employed in a divorce case, and your case may only need one,...more
One of the first options to consider when you start your divorce is whether you want to proceed through litigation, mediation, or arbitration.
In general, at the outset of a divorce, one chooses amongst these...more
In anticipation of this series, I reached out to some former clients and asked them: How could you have been better prepared for your divorce?
One client told me that she wished she had gathered all her proof documents...more
One of the questions I am often asked is: what is the number one piece of advice you would give to someone at the beginning of his or her divorce?
I once gave the answer: be prepared...more
In a recent decision, E.H. v. K.H., the Appellate Division made clear that a finding of harassment in connection with the entry of a domestic violence restraining order must be based upon a judge’s findings on all elements of...more
Here in New Jersey, divorced parents are generally obligated to contribute to the college education expenses for their un-emancipated children. In virtually every marital settlement agreement where there are un-emancipated...more
In a recent published (precedential) decision, Gormley v. Gormley, the Appellate Division cleared up confusion between two prior cases that dealt with the impact of a determination of disability by the Social Security...more
I have written about the requirements of obtaining a domestic violence final restraining order (“FRO”) under the New Jersey Prevention Against Domestic Violence Act (“the Act”) previously on this blog. One of the three main...more
For families already coping with family court orders, the COVID-19 pandemic – and the economic downturn it is causing – raises new and sometimes difficult-to-answer questions.
As their own job and income statuses are...more
A recent unpublished (non-precedential) decision, Steffens v. Steffens, suggests that the answer to the above question is “no.”
In Steffens, the Wife sought to set aside a prenuptial agreement, arguing that it was...more
Raising children born of interfaith marriages can have its challenges (and of course, its unique joys – Chrismukkah, anyone?), but at least parents in intact families navigate and mediate these challenges together. If and...more
I have previously written about the custody and parenting time issues that may be presented when a child is moved from state to state within the country. But what of child support?
In an interesting recent unpublished...more
Anything can happen in court. Last week, while in the midst of an appearance, I served as de facto wedding photographer. Although the bride and groom were blissfully unaware of it, their wedding ceremony came as a welcome...more
In a new, published (precedential) decision, J.G. v. J.H., Judge Koblitz, of the Appellate Division confirmed and explicitly held what we all should have known before: No matter what type of case, the same rules apply with...more
In the wake of the September 10, 2014 amendments to N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23, the legislature clarified the circumstances under which an alimony payor’s obligation can be modified or terminated due to the obligor’s intended or...more
I recently represented a client at mediation during which the parties were able to resolve virtually all of their issues, save for the Wife’s claim that the Husband should make a significant contribution to her counsel...more
All Hallow’s Eve is upon us. All month long, I have watched my favorite Halloween movies (Hocus Pocus, anyone?), visited haunted houses, carved my Jack-O-Lantern, and engaged in all the usual Halloween festivities. But it...more
Just over a year after the New Jersey Supreme Court changed the standard to be applied in removal, or interstate relocation, cases, the Appellate Division in Dever v. Howell (an Appellate Division set to be published and,...more
Technology is making it easier and easier to satisfy our curiosity about just what the heck the people in our lives are up to. Are you curious about your husband’s whereabouts? You could plant a GPS device on his car. Do...more
It may seem counter-intuitive, but the month of Saint Valentine is also generally the month that sees the highest volume of filing for divorce. For some people, getting divorced may be their New Years Resolution. Others...more
Arbitration – essentially, a private trial in which the parties hire a fact-finder who serves in lieu of a judge – has become an increasingly common means of resolving family law disputes. Although an arbitration may be...more
Sometimes, the location of a case – for one reason or another – can be just as important as anything else. Perhaps the law is different and more beneficial to one side in a particular location; possibly, one place is simply...more