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Don't go into your divorce or family law matter defenseless
Request an Initial Consultation With An Attorney Today
Safeguarding Your Rights™ - Safeguarding Your Children™ - Safeguarding Your Future™
Domestic Violence & Restraining Orders: What to Worry About With the New Jersey Process
The horrifying case of a New Jersey women stabbed 27 times by her ex-boyfriend who ignored a restraining order is a powerful reminder of how important it is for every victim of domestic violence to be backed up by the legal system. In our work with clients affected by domestic violence, we know that understanding the process of obtaining a restraining order and what is needed to make a TRO (temporary restraining order) permanent and “final” are critical steps to staying safe.
If you are preparing to file for an order of protection, we offer (below) further tips and helpful information that you can use along with the more in-depth information we have put together on How to File Forms & Find Help with The Restraining Order Process in a Domestic Violence Case. You will also find visual aides, worksheets and PDFs to print out to help you with getting a restraining order in a domestic violence situation and the legal process it entails in New Jersey:
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Divorce Tax Mistakes to Avoid
Ending a marriage is difficult enough. But if you’re recently separated or divorced, you have the added burden of figuring out a new and more complicated tax situation. In our founding partner’s most recent Huffington Post piece (see below for the link), Bari Weinberger gave us answers to the top four tax questions she gets asked by clients who are in the process of divorce. We’re following up with three more common mistakes divorced taxpayers make on their taxes and how to avoid them. Read more
Who Gets the House in a Divorce?
You’ve lived there for 20 years. Now one of you has to leave. And a central question in divorce is: Who gets the house?
It may seem like getting the family home in the divorce settlement is a victory. But is it? Think it through: along with the property come property taxes. And there’s usually a mortgage (which in many cases is too much for one person to afford easily). If you’re like most couples, you and your spouse have precious little equity to show for your home ownership right now—but trying to sell is going to be a lengthy affair. You may even lose money. So is it a blessing to get the house — or a burden? Read more
5 Steps to Take Before Meeting Your Divorce Attorney for the First Time
You’ve shopped around for a great divorce lawyer and now it’s time for your first meeting. What should you expect from your attorney – and how should you prepare? Here are five important steps to take before that all-important initial visit. Read more
You’ve Been Falsely Accused. Now What?
Who Gets Custody of the Family Business in a Divorce?
When Jennifer Lopez went on the Today Show last month, she brought up an interesting subject: What happens when the guy you’re divorcing is the same guy you’re in business with? In J-Lo’s case, Lopez is co-producing a new TV series, “Q’Viva — The Chosen,” with her ex-husband, Marc Anthony. The project has been in the works since long before the couple decided to split and — surprisingly — the business venture will survive their split. As Jennifer explained to Today Show host Matt Lauer, the passion and commitment both she and Marc feel towards the show outweighs their personal differences, so they have agreed to keep working together, despite any leftover emotional baggage. Read more
Divorce for People in the Public Eye
Are you a celebrity, politician, or play on a professional sports team — and want to get a divorce? With high profile and celebrity divorce news dominating headlines these days, it’s trickier than ever for people in the public eye to keep divorce matters private. Unless, of course, you have the right lawyer on your side.
What makes some attorneys more capable than others at handling the complex needs of high-profile or celebrity clientele? Here are some qualities we think are important: Read more
Top 5 Ways NOT to Ask for a Divorce
Let’s face it, how you ask your spouse for a divorce matters. Going about it the wrong way can cost you in the long run (financially, emotionally, and in Newt Gingrich‘s case, politically), but going about it the “right” way can help to set the tone for a more collaborative — and less contentious — divorce. Getting ready to share the news? Here’s our list of the top 5 techniques to avoid, and some ideas to consider instead: Read more
Spike in Smartphone Usage Notes a Spike in Evidence for Divorce Cases Too
Not surprising, new research from Google shows that smartphone usage is surging globally. People use their mobile devices for just about everything these days and the trail of texts, calls, emails, and photos is not just spanning worldwide use, but is now following them into divorce court. According to a new survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), more than 90% of the nation’s top divorce lawyers report a recent spike in divorce cases that use evidence taken from smartphones, including Androids, BlackBerrys and iPhones.
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Divorcing? Consider a Lifestyle Analysis
As part of the New Jersey divorce process, you will need to complete a Case Information Statement – essentially what amounts to a listing of a couple’s financial assets and liabilities as well as income and family expenses. The courts then use this document, in part, to determine such critical financial matters as division of assets, alimony, and child support.
In a perfect world, the information written down on the Case Information Statement would be 100% accurate and complete. But what if you don’t have access to old bank accounts, are unsure how much you owe on your mortgage, and have no idea how much money it takes to pay the bills each month – and on top of this have an uncooperative spouse only willing to supply minimal information? Instead of guessing or estimating – and possibly suffering the consequences of an inaccurate financial record — your lawyer may recommend a process called lifestyle analysis.
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