5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Filing for Divorce


It’s no secret that the holiday season is a time of year when many couples begin to contemplate or move forward with plans to divorce. Whether it’s the stress of the “maintaining appearances” during the holidays that lead a couple to realize their marriage is over, or the desire for one or both parties to get off to start fresh in the New Year, it’s common to see an uptick in divorce filings in early January.

Are you contemplating divorce as 2013 ends and 2014 begins? Deciding whether or not to stay married may be one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. It’s definitely not something to take lightly, nor a choice to make in haste. So how do you know it really is time to start moving forward with a divorce filing? Here are five important questions to ask yourself: Read more

What Happens To Children’s Bank Accounts In A Divorce?

You may have started a college savings account for your child, or have a joint bank account in their name, or have individual accounts that carry their name only. What happens to these accounts if you and your spouse end up filing for divorce? Read more

Preparing for Your First Solo Post-Divorce Thanksgiving

Whether you are separated or newly divorced, will this year mark the first Thanksgiving you will be celebrating without your spouse? Depending on your circumstances, you may be feeling relieved at not needing to “fake it” through another meal with your in-laws, sad and angry over the change in your cherished family traditions, unsure about what to expect when you show up at your parents’ house without your spouse…or some mix of all these things. Read more

Determining NJ Jurisdiction in Interstate Child Custody & Support Disputes

In celebrity news, the child custody rift between Jersey Shore reality star Pauly D and Amanda Markert, the mother of his 5-month old daughter Amabella, has pushed into the spotlight the issue of what happens in complex child custody disputes in which a child’s two parents live in different states. Pauly D, based on reports, appears to be a legal resident of either Nevada, where he regularly works as a DJ on the Las Vegas club scene, or Rhode Island, where he owns a home. Markert is a lifelong resident of New Jersey, where Amabella was born. According to various news sources, Pauly D would prefer to file for sole custody of his daughter in Nevada, while Markert allegedly plans to take him to court in NJ to settle their matters. Read more

Charlie Sheen Custody War Shines Light on Role of Psychological Evaluators

It’s hard to miss the headlines this week concerning the all out war brewing between actor Charlie Sheen and his ex-wife Brook Mueller over the custody of their twin sons, Bob and Max. Among Sheen’s accusations are allegations of disregard for the children’s safety during visits with their mother and refusal on the part of Mueller to obtain psychological counseling for the boys, despite documented behavior problems.

While the details of the Sheen-Mueller dispute are complex, it also shows that serious child custody and child welfare issues can crop up anywhere, no matter what your income or profession. Sheen and Mueller are battling through the California courts, but what if a similar situation were to occur between two parents living in New Jersey? Read more

New Study Says Texting Habits May Predict Divorce

When you and your spouse have disagreements, whether it’s over who does more work around the house, or other issues including finances and taking care of the kids, do you rely on texting to resolve your differences? You may want to rethink this strategy, according to a new study that says couples who let their thumbs do the talking when it comes to serious conversations, disagreements or apologies may be more likely to eventually split up or divorce. Read more

Should you change the locks?

When it comes to personal security following filing for divorce, one of the most common questions that comes up concerns changing the locks on the house. Will you be in the right if you go ahead and change the locks? Read more

WLG Attorney Raquel Vallejo Named NJ Hispanic Bar Association Trustee

Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC associate Raquel Vallejo, Esq. has been sworn in as a Trustee for the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, representing Union County. Ms. Vallejo was recognized at HBA-NJ’s 34th Annual Installation and Swearing-In Ceremony, held October 30 at the Westmount Country Club in Woodland Hills, NJ. Read more

Co-Parenting When You Really Can’t Stand Your Former Spouse

Let’s face it, divorce can be messy. While the goal for many couples is get to a place of peace with one another, it can take time — often a great deal of time — to get there. If you and your soon-to-be former spouse don’t have children, taking a break during the divorce process is as easy as letting his or her calls go to voice mail when you don’t want to talk. But what about when children are added to the mix? Dealing with issues such as child custody arrangements, who helps your child with his homework, and who gets called in case of emergency at school, typically require both parents to communicate frequently and stay in close touch. Read more

What Happens to Your Civil Union When You Marry?

With same-sex marriage now legal in New Jersey for a little over a week, questions have been popping up concerning some of the finer points of couples obtaining marriage licenses, especially those already in civil unions or domestic partnerships. Here are some common questions we’ve been hearing: Read more