Blog

January 13, 2023

When couples announce that they are getting divorced, it usually isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Rather, it’s probably been something they’ve thought about for a while, or in some cases, tried to ward off by seeking marriage counseling. But, these details aren’t always forthcoming, so when children learn that their parents are splitting up, it can be quite a shock.  While child custody is one of the most challenging aspects of the divorce process for most couples, telling their children about their decision to get divorced is almost as difficult. If you’re thinking about moving forward with breaking up…

November 30, 2022

If this is your first holiday season during or following your divorce, you may find yourself experiencing significant emotional difficulty now that you no longer have the ability to share holiday traditions with your ex or potentially your children. Here are some tips to keep in mind that can help you get through the holidays if you are getting divorced or finalized your divorce earlier this year.  Start New Traditions Because you are no longer sharing the holidays with your ex, it is important to begin new holiday traditions. Regardless of whether or not you have children, you may…

August 17, 2022

When separated or divorced parents cannot agree on a custody arrangement and parenting time schedule, they can turn to the court to issue a custody order. When determining custody for a family, the court’s sole concern is to find a custody arrangement that is in the child’s best interest.  Courts Default to Shared Parental Responsibility Today, state laws and court rules recognize the importance of children having a meaningful relationship with both of their parents when such a relationship is healthy and beneficial to the child’s development. Thus, courts often prefer custody arrangements and parenting time schedules where parents have…

May 1, 2022

When you enter a divorce proceeding, you might wonder how the court might handle the settlement or judgment that you or your spouse won in a personal injury case. While marital property is equitably divided between spouses in a divorce case, can a personal injury award become part of a couple’s marital estate?  What is Marital Property? In New Jersey, marital property is considered any real and personal property that was legally or beneficially acquired by either spouse during the marriage. This includes property that is titled solely in the name of only one of the spouses.

April 5, 2022

Divorce is a difficult process for anyone, even if you know that your marriage needs to end and that you and your spouse need to go your separate ways. In addition to the emotional fallout from the decision to get divorced, you will also need to handle a wide variety of financial and practical matters. Below are some steps to take to help you prepare to go through the divorce process.  Assemble a Support Team Divorce can be incredibly isolating, so it is important to identify individuals beyond immediate family like your children or parents who can act as…

December 28, 2021

Navigating any holiday after divorce can be a little strange, especially early on. However, New Year’s Eve and Day present a unique opportunity to create a schedule that you and your co-parent can adhere to in the new year. If you and your ex are struggling to handle New Year’s, there are a few tips to make handling child custody over the New Year’s weekend easier for everyone involved.  How Does Child Custody in New Jersey Work?  First thing’s first, how does child custody in New Jersey traditionally work? In most cases, divorced parents are free to develop…

May 11, 2021

Although “summer vacation” normally evokes thoughts of family getaways, that usually isn’t the case for families where the parents have divorced or separated. While separated or divorced parents want their children to enjoy their summer vacation and want to enjoy that time with their children, that can pose difficulties in the context of the parties’ child custody agreement or court order. Parents should put extra thought into how their children’s summer vacation will be handled under the family’s custody arrangement. Custody Settlement Agreements In most cases, parents can best resolve a child custody dispute through a settlement agreement. Courts…

March 24, 2021

For many married couples who ended up getting divorced, it was pretty evident for some time before divorce papers were filed that the marriage was heading towards an end. If you feel like a divorce is inevitable between you and your spouse, you may wonder whether there are any benefits to filing for divorce first before your spouse can. Although you may not want to subject your spouse to an unfair surprise, there are benefits to being the party who initiates the divorce. Continue reading to find out what happens after you file for divorce. You’ll Have Legal…

January 24, 2021

Child custody is easily one of the most complex matters under family law. Not only are the stakes and emotions high for all the parties involved, but the outcome of child custody matters can have an outsized impact on the lives of the children involved in such matters.  Below are some of the most common issues that arise in complex and disputed child custody cases. Read more: Child Custody Laws In New Jersey Relocation Relocation is often the most contentious issue that can arise in child custody cases, especially if the parent of primary residence seeks…

September 10, 2020

New Jersey’s child custody laws govern how parents can seek custody, set rules for visitation, and establish guidelines for courts to follow in determining a custody arrangement between parents. In addition, New Jersey’s child custody laws also permit grandparents to seek a court order entitling them to visitation rights, under certain circumstances. If you are separated from your child’s other parent, it is critical that you understand the child custody laws in New Jersey. The Two Types of Custody Child custody under New Jersey law is divided into one of two types: Physical custody, which is where the…