Got An STD From Your Ex? That’s Marital Tort

iStock_000018458248MediumIt almost goes without saying that the events and circumstances that lead a couple to divorce are typically not very pleasant ones. Your spouse may have cheated on you. The two of you may have endured tense disagreements over marital finances, or fights about how to raise your children.

In some situations, however, the wounds suffered during the process of marital breakdown go far beyond normal feelings of betrayal and  enter the legal territory of a court claim called a marital tort. Read more

New Jersey Divorce Chronicles, Part 5: Handle Emotions with Care

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In part 2 and part 3 of our continuing blog series on avoiding common divorce mistakes, we looked at two different approaches to hiring a divorce attorney. In part 4, we took a look at the aggressive initial approach taken by one of subjects, Sharon. In part 1 of our series, we introduced you to our two New Jersey couples: Robert & Sharon and Jason & Melissa. In this installment, we’ll see how our second subject, Jason, takes a softer approach to commencing his case, and how that impacts initial developments. Read more

3 Pitfalls To Avoid When Dividing Marital Assets in Divorce

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You and your soon-to-be former spouse have laid your marital assets on the table and now it’s time to divvy up who gets what in your divorce. During this part of the divorce process — negotiating distribution of joint assets — be aware that any missteps you make can turn what could have been a fair settlement into one that puts you at financial risk. With the stakes this high, what traps should you be on the lookout for? Here’s how to avoid three common asset division mistakes. Read more

3 Secret Tax Deductions You Can Claim After Divorce

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One silver lining of divorce? You may own Uncle Sam a little less when filing this year’s federal income taxes. Before April’s tax deadline, make sure to double-check your calculations to avoid missing out on these three often overlooked divorce-related deductions. Read more

Study: Divorce More Likely When Wife Becomes Seriously Ill

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A new study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior has found that when wives take ill, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. Read more

New Jersey Divorce Chronicles Part 4: Why “Coming out Swinging” Could Backfire

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In part 2 and part 3 of our continuing blog series on avoiding common divorce mistakes, we looked at two different approaches to hiring a divorce attorney. In part 1 of our series, we introduced you to our two New Jersey couples: Robert & Sharon and Jason & Melissa. In this installment, we’ll take a look at Robert & Sharon’s divorce to see how one of our subject’s choice of attorney impacts the beginning of the divorce process. Read more

3 Tips for Negotiating Alimony Payments

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Whether you are the spouse who will pay alimony, or you are the spouse who will receive payments, if spousal support is on the table in your divorce, you may be wondering how to make sure you get the fairest deal possible. Even with new New Jersey alimony reform laws in effect since last year, calculating alimony is still open to interpretation and, in many cases, negotiation. If you and your soon-to-be former spouse are attempting to come to your own terms in your divorce (rather than go to court), here are three tips for negotiating an alimony settlement that strikes a balance. Read more

Three Tips For Cutting Divorce Costs

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Not only can the end of a marriage be difficult emotionally, but if you are not careful, the process of divorce can also take a toll on your wallet. What can you do to keep divorce costs to a minimum? Here are three budget-friendly strategies to help you reach a settlement without breaking the bank. Read more

7 Steps to Successful Divorce Negotiations

business handshakeGetting a divorce often involves a great deal of negotiation, especially if you and your spouse have decided to mediate your divorce or use one of the other out-of-court divorce settlement methods available in New Jersey. New to negotiating? Here are seven divorce negotiation techniques to help you get what you really want from your divorce. Read more

The 6 Basic Ways to Divorce in New Jersey

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What is getting divorced in New Jersey really like? Many believe the divorce process involves making their case in “divorce court” with a judge deciding the terms of their settlement. In reality, going through divorce litigation (aka, “going to court”) is but one of six different alternatives available for New Jersey couples seeking to dissolve their marriages. Here’s a look at each available divorce method. Which one is right for your divorce? Read more