When your divorce was finalized you were likely given a copy of the divorce agreement, the document establishing the terms and conditions of your separation. This document is crucial and legally binding. If you notice your former spouse straying from the terms, however, you may be unsure how to proceed.…
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Postnuptial agreements, while controversial, offer financial security for both parties in a marriage. For advice on how to tell your spouse that you want a postnup, continue reading and work with an experienced Mountainside family law attorney. What is a Postnup? A postnup, or postnuptial agreement, is a legal contract…
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During a divorce, many important topics have to be addressed and decisions must be made. One of the most important factors in a divorce is the distribution of property. While some states split assets 50/50, others rely on equitable distribution. For more information and representation during this complex time, work…
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When you unexpectedly discover that your spouse filed for divorce, your whole world can turn upside down. It is important that you take quick action to ensure you are meeting all requirements expected of you and that you can protect yourself during the process. Speak with an Elizabeth divorce &…
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Relocating after a divorce can seriously affect the custody agreement and parenting plan. It is important for parents to consider their rights and responsibilities as well as the impact a move will have on their children. If you have questions regarding your potential move, reach out to a Union County…
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Understanding what to expect before jumping into mediation for your divorce is crucial to ensure you are adequately prepared for the process. If you are considering an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) speak with a skilled Mountainside NJ mediation attorney for more information and representation. What is Divorce Mediation? Divorce mediation…
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Parental alienation is a tactic that parents may use in an attempt to ruin the relationship that their child has with their other parent. They generally tell the child lies and misinformation about the other parent to convince them that they are a bad person. Depending on age, children can…
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Many complex decisions must be made during a divorce, especially when one spouse is in the military. Issues like alimony, child custody, child support, and property division all need to be settled before a divorce can be finalized. A pension is based on money likely contributed from marital funds so…
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When you and your spouse make the difficult decision to end your marriage, a lot in your life changes. One or both of you will probably move out, your friends may take sides, and life as you know it will turn upside down. Many decisions have to be made during…
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Many people spend thousands of dollars on an engagement ring before nervously getting down on one knee to pop the question to their significant other. The ring is a symbol of their love and future together. Unfortunately, sometimes relationships simply aren’t meant to be. If a couple decides to divorce…
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Losing your job has many repercussions and you may have to implement lifestyle changes to reflect your new financial situation. An issue some individuals have after they lose their job is that they cannot stop paying alimony to their former spouse. Alimony can be a big expense but it is…
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Mediation is fast becoming a popular dispute-resolution technique in divorcing couples. Spouses can handle nearly every aspect of their divorce through mediation, including debt and asset division. It is crucial that both parties understand their rights and options when it comes to divorce mediation. Reach out to an experienced Mountainside…
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When you and your family rely on supplemental income programs, it is important that you understand your rights and eligibility for various benefits. If you receive child support payments you may wonder if they count as income for SNAP and other programs. Contact a Union County child support attorney at…
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Getting a driver’s license is an important milestone in most teens’ lives. In New Jersey, individuals can obtain an official driver’s license on their 17th birthday, given that they have met the requirements of a learner’s permit and hours on the road. For divorced parents, the noncustodial parent is required…
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Mediation can greatly benefit both parties in a divorce. It is understandable that individuals may wish to keep family matters private, so couples may wonder if the information shared during mediation is considered confidential. Luckily, mediation communications are generally privileged and confidential. Exceptions do apply so it is important to…
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If you have been divorced or separated and you share children with your ex, custody and parenting time can create an issue. It can be devastating to part with your child, even knowing that they are getting to spend time with their other parent. If your ex consistently doesn’t drop…
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Like prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements can be used as a legal tool to help couples understand each party’s rights and responsibilities if the marriage were to end in divorce or death. A postnuptial agreement must meet certain criteria to be considered valid. Contact an experienced prenuptial agreement attorney in Mountainside…
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When a divorce decree is issued and your marriage is finally over, you may find yourself breathing a sigh of relief. Ending a marriage is never easy but being done with the legal process can be a weight off of your shoulders. Work with a Union County divorce attorney to…
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When two individuals decide to end their marriage it can be emotionally difficult and overwhelming. There are many issues to discuss and settle, including spousal support. Spousal support, or alimony, is a financial obligation that one spouse owes to the other after a divorce or separation. This obligation is legally…
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How long an uncontested divorce takes depends on multiple aspects of the relationship and situation. For legal counsel during your separation or divorce, contact a Clark divorce & family law attorney today. Uncontested vs Contested Divorce An uncontested divorce proceeding can take place when both parties involved are able to…
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When an individual decides to end their marriage they have likely reached that conclusion after months or years of arguments, stress, and unhappiness. Most people want to terminate the relationship and move on with their lives as quickly as possible. In some states, a required separation period makes that more…
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New Jersey courts will strive to make custody decisions that keep the best interest of the child in mind. Continue reading and contact a Union County child custody attorney to learn more about how custody decisions are made and how you can protect your parental rights. What Child Custody Arrangement…
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Custody battles can be emotional and complex. It can be difficult to figure out what the best living situation for a child will be now that their parents are no longer together. The outcome of a custody dispute will alter the child’s life forever, so their preference may be a…
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When a person you love and trust commits an act of violence against you it is devastating and frightening. More than 10 million people in the U.S. experience violence and abuse in their homes each year. If you are a victim of abuse it is imperative that you seek the…
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If you are deciding to end your marriage, you may be feeling an uncomfortable mix of emotions. The process can be complex and time-consuming depending on the circumstances of your relationship. Understanding the legal process and timeline of divorce is important in ensuring your rights are protected and you set…
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Going to court is not the only way to resolve a divorce. Alternate dispute resolution techniques can be implemented depending on the relationship and the jurisdiction you are in. Mediation is a helpful tool during divorce. It consists of the couple meeting with a neutral third party who will help…
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During and after a divorce several types of alimony can be awarded depending on the unique circumstances of the couple. New Jersey courts may offer permanent alimony for spouses who were together for a significant period. For assistance during your divorce case enlist the help of a knowledgeable Union County…
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Child support payments can be required when two parents divorce. The parent who is awarded majority custody, the custodial parent, will begin to receive monthly financial support from the noncustodial parent to help fund the child’s expenses. Alimony is spousal support designed to increase a lower-earning spouse’s income. While they…
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When two parents decide to separate or get divorced various implications and subject matters must be considered. In addition to determining which spouse will receive which assets, child custody must be discussed. A custodial parent is one who spends half of the year or longer with the child. Because raising…
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People spend most of their lives working toward retirement. Millions of Americans contribute to retirement accounts provided by their employers, one of the most popular of which is a 401(k) plan. A 401(k) is a retirement account that employees can contribute to with a portion of each of their paychecks.…
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Child support is a court-ordered financial obligation that one parent has to the other in the event that they separate or divorce. It is difficult to raise a child alone as well as fund all of their expenses. Child support payment plans ensure that both parents continue to share the…
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A prenuptial agreement, also known as a prenup, is a legal contract made between two people who are engaged to be married. The prenup serves the purpose of protecting both parties financially if the marriage does not work and the couple decides to get divorced. The number of couples choosing…
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New Jersey is one of the most expensive states in terms of divorce. The average NJ divorce will cost around $12,500. It can be difficult to determine whether or not you can afford to get a divorce because there are hidden and extensive fees involved. Speak with an experienced Union…
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Mediation and collaborative divorce are both alternative methods of divorce that allow couples to avoid litigation and make their own decision regarding child custody, child support, alimony, and the division of property. Although they are somewhat similar, they are two separate processes. Read on and speak with a Union County…
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When a couple gets divorced they have to split their assets and custody of their children. But what happens to the family dog? Or the cat that one spouse brought into the relationship and the other now considers family? If you are going through a divorce you can maintain a…
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If you are a United States citizen you have a Social Security number, which is a 9 digit number that serves as an official identification. You will probably work and pay taxes throughout your adult life. Once you get to a certain age you can retire, but you will still…
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While every divorce deals with similar factors like the division of property, child custody, alimony, and other decisions, military divorces tend to be more complicated than divorces between two civilians. The complexity arises when you consider the different nature of a military family that may move around a lot or…
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Hundreds of thousands of couples get divorced each year. The reasons why will vary depending on the circumstances of the relationship. When filing for divorce in New Jersey, certain grounds are viewed as acceptable reasons for a fault-based divorce. Continue reading for more information on the grounds for divorce, and…
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If you separated from your child’s other parent, you undoubtedly had to appear in court to determine your custody situation and child support payment plan. As the non-custodial parent who is with the child less than fifty percent of the time, you probably send monthly payments to the custodial parent…
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People get divorced for varying reasons and their actions will affect how a divorce case goes. Adultery, incompatibility, and cruelty are common reasons a couple may decide to call it quits. Substance abuse can also take a toll on a marriage and lead to a divorce. If you are filing…
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If you went through a separation or divorce you may pay court-ordered alimony to your ex-spouse. While alimony is supposed to be fair and equitable, sometimes situations change. If you find yourself unable to afford alimony payments, there are some ways you can have them adjusted to accommodate your new…
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If you’re divorced and paying alimony to your ex-spouse, you’re likely very aware of the exact amount of money you pay them each month. If you come into an unexpected financial windfall, you may be wondering what impact it will have on your alimony payments. To learn more about your…
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In an ideal world, co-parenting would be easy and stress-free. However, that is unfortunately not always the case. If you believe that your child is in danger with their other parent or that you are being denied your parental rights, it may be time to consider filing an emergency custody…
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When planning a wedding there can be stresses about venue locations or the cost of flowers, but chances are the couple is probably just excited to get married and begin their lives together. The last thing on their minds is the possibility of getting divorced. However, divorce is an unfortunate…
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When a marriage comes to an end, logistics can become complex and things can get ugly. Every family and situation is unique, so no one case will be the same. In some instances, one spouse will end up paying alimony to their ex for some time. Alimony payments will be…
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During a divorce, the division of assets can become a complicated and sometimes ugly thing. An important but frequently overlooked asset to discuss in this situation is stock options. Stock options refer to the spouse’s employer offering them the right to purchase stock in the future at a set price.…
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When a court orders alimony or spousal support to be paid, those orders are valid and carry the weight of law. Only when the agreed upon (or judge-indicated) expiration date passes is the payor allowed to stop alimony payments. Whatever reason the payor has, whether it’s their free choice or…
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When you divorce or separate from your spouse, there may be dramatic effects on your relationship with your children. Managing your time with your children under this new set of circumstances is crucial for maintaining a healthy dynamic during the post-separation and post-divorce period. And to do this, a good…
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Divorce brings with it a host of complications to every part of our lives, from our living situation to our relationship with our children to our finances. According to federal law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has eliminated alimony both as taxable for the payee and as a…
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Usually, New Jersey courts presume that a child is healthier and happier when both parents are involved. In practical terms, this translates into children spending equitable amounts of time with each parent. Sometimes, however, parents are awarded supervised visitation rights instead of standard visitation rights. Less common in New Jersey…
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Divorce often causes conflict between divorcing people, and alimony is known to be particularly contentious in some cases. Alimony exists as a result of a history of gender and sex discrimination, wherein women were expected to put their own goals aside to care for their spouses and children. Men were…
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Today in New Jersey, same-sex marriages are to be treated under the law as no different from opposite-sex marriages. Therefore, because New Jersey admits no-fault divorce based on a standard of irretrievable differences, the petitioning spouse won’t be required to prove the other spouse engaged in some wrong act, as…
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Marriage comes with a lot of work and sacrifice. It’s understandable if you spend time and energy trying to figure out how to keep a marriage afloat, you would be frustrated to hear your spouse seemingly want to give up and request that you sign divorce papers. Or, in a…
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Compared to a contested divorce, which is more like a lawsuit, uncontested divorces tend to be quicker, cheaper, and overall easier on both parties. Although an uncontested divorce needs only minimal court intervention, it can be difficult for former spouses to agree to the extent that an uncontested divorce requires…
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Divorce involves such a huge upheaval of our day-to-day lived reality, that it makes sense why someone would want to slowly lean into whatever changes can be made gradually. So many things will change so rapidly that it can be tempting to move more slowly on those adjustments that permit…
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In every state, New Jersey included, courts guiding a divorce to completion emphasize a child’s best interests in all decisions that deal with parts of the child’s life. Should the parents find themselves unable to agree on a parenting plan for their children in advance of their separation, it falls…
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For a long time, California was the only state with legislation meant to disqualify domestic abusers from receiving alimony from their victims. Some jurisdictions across the country would leave in the court’s discretion the decision to discuss marital misbehavior, up to even domestic violence. Sometimes any discussion of it would…
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In the United States, parents have a constitutional right to decide, without outside interference, how to raise their children, including where and with whom the kids spend their spend. So do grandparents have visitation rights under New Jersey family law? And if so, what does the law offer a grandparent…
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Prenuptial agreements can be sensitive and difficult to discuss as you and your future spouse plan what you likely hope will be your future life together. This is why getting help from knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys is so crucial. Keep reading to learn more about how a prenup can potentially…
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A life event like becoming disabled or getting divorced can feel like life has thrown us a huge curveball. Having both occur either simultaneously or close to it can feel doubly overwhelming. In recognition of how much may change in our lives after a disability, courts are willing to modify…
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When a divorce happens, New Jersey courts will use several methods in deciding how much each former spouse should contribute financially to raising their children. The most important goal for New Jersey courts is to make sure the arrangements reached provide for the needs of children. The New Jersey Child…
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Divorces are never easy, but a contested divorce where it seems like you and your spouse cannot agree on anything can be incredibly stressful. You just want to be done with this, but you cannot fully separate yourself from this person until you can at least come to some type…
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All marital property has to be divided up in a divorce, and that can include your business. If you do not have a marital agreement covering it, the company that you built could be subject to the property division process just like any other asset. You do have ways of…
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Any divorce can be stressful to settle, but a high-conflict divorce where one or both partners could make things more difficult through a lack of cooperation or volatile behavior. Navigating such a divorce is always difficult, but do not worry. A Union County divorce attorney from our firm can have…
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When deciding who should get custody of a child, the court looks for a few different things. One of them is financial stability, but this is not the only factor that needs to be evaluated. Having a stable income is great and all, but it does not necessarily prove one…
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It is not surprising that so many people have some misconceptions about prenuptial agreements. Not only is it a thorny topic to tackle with your soon-to-be spouse, but movies and television have not exactly gone out of their way to portray these documents with any kind of accuracy. You probably…
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Your intellectual property is just like anything else you and your spouse own. If you go through a divorce, it is going to need to be split up among the two of you in an equitable way. If you want to protect your intellectual property, our experienced Mountainside property distribution…
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When you split from your spouse, you have to divide up all of your property. That includes any valuable artwork and collectibles that you and your spouse have. These items can be difficult to split up. They often have actual monetary value as well as sentimental value. However, artwork and…
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Divorce can be stressful enough without having to worry about private details of your life and relationship getting out. You probably also want to make sure that your soon-to-be former spouse can no longer get information about you or snoop around in your affairs. Fortunately, there are some ways to…
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When you get divorced, you know that means that you are going to have to split the marital assets with your spouse. What about investments and stocks though? Do they all have to be sold off? What if you had stocks before you got married? Our experienced Mountainside property distribution…
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If you want a divorce but you do not want to spend a lot of time and money in court, you want an uncontested divorce. This is an option for New Jersey residents who do not want to spend a lot of money on litigation, but it is not the…
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If you discover your spouse has been cheating on you, your first instinct might be to file for divorce. But is adultery enough of a reason to file for divorce in New Jersey? It is, and you should talk to our Hillside divorce & family law attorneys before you move…
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Yes, getting a divorce from a spouse with a substance abuse problem is possible. This is considered a grounds for divorce in New Jersey, so if you have tried and failed to get your spouse help or you believe that your situation is no longer safe, you should talk to…
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You should be able to divorce your spouse and get out of an unhappy marriage, even if said spouse does not want to be cooperative. Fortunately, the state does recognize that and does offer people the ability to get a divorce even if their soon-to-be ex will not respond to…
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Co-parenting is not easy. You are bound to run into a few problems with your ex as you feel out this new arrangement and see how it affects your children. You can at least take solace in the fact that many recently divorced parents have also ended up encountering co-parenting…
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In most divorces involving children, one parent gets primary custody and the other parent ends up paying child support. If you do not have a child of your own, but you have a stepchild by marriage, is the arrangement the same? Obviously, the court would award custody to their biological…
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Sometimes when parents divorce, that affects the relationship that their child can have with other family members. A common example is a grandparent who loses access to their grandchildren as a result. If this has happened to you, you may be wondering if you have any options or the ability…
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When fighting for child custody, you may be given supervised parenting time. This is visitation but with a few extra rules and conditions attached. It is generally not assigned lightly, so if you believe that this arrangement should be changed you may need a lawyer. A Mountainside child visitation attorney…
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When you get a divorce and start to divide up property, you may wonder if you are entitled to a piece of your spouse’s business. You may be, but there are a number of factors that determine what kind of claim you might have to this company. Our experienced Mountainside…
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Some parents do not realize just how important it is to establish paternity for their child. Having the right paperwork filled out can offer benefits to both parents and the child, but if you are unsure of anything you can talk to a lawyer before moving forward. The Mountainside family…
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When a couple decides to divorce, they are supposed to be upfront about their finances and their assets. When one spouse lies or tries to hide a potential source of money, they are committing financial fraud. If you suspect that your spouse is guilty of fraud, it can be difficult…
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Divorce can be stressful enough without wondering what will happen to your beloved pets. If you have any questions about how pet custody works or how you can make your best case for why you should continue to care for a pet after divorce, our experienced Mountainside property distribution attorneys…
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Making a strong argument for child custody can be difficult, but there are some ways to improve your chances of winning your case. Take this advice from our Union County child custody attorneys and do your best to show that you are prepared to be the custodial parent. How Can…
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Any divorce can get complicated quickly, but a divorce involving a member of the military can come with its own unique hurdles. This is why it can be such a good idea to have one of our Westfield divorce & family law attorneys by your side as you navigate this…
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Both attorneys Robyn E. Ross, Esq. and Shari Lee Genser, Esq. have been honored in the past month. Namely, on April 28, Robyn was Robyn was honored to speak as a panelist at the New Jersey Association for Justice Boardwalk Seminar in Atlantic City. The panel was part of the Matrimonial…
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You know that your property will have to be split up in a divorce, but what happens to the gifts that you received while you were married? If you are trying to do everything that you can to protect your own property during a divorce, you might want to consult…
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If you are making alimony payments, you might be wondering what happens if you, your former spouse, or both of you get remarried to different people. In some cases, this can end an alimony agreement in New Jersey, but you never want to assume anything and end up with court…
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In today's society, many couples choose to create a legal contract known as a prenuptial agreement before walking down the aisle that stipulates what happens in the event of a divorce. Generally, this type of agreement is established before marriage to safeguard each party's assets and assess how their newly…
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