Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, remains a dire issue in New Jersey. According to statistics compiled by the New Jersey State Police, there are approximately 70,000 reports of domestic violence per year statewide, 42% of which involved physical assault. Domestic violence victims in New Jersey can be women or men. As stated by Assemblywoman Celeste Riley, “Domestic violence doesn’t know a sex, it doesn’t know an age,” she said. “If you are abused, you are a victim.”
If you are a victim, there are legal remedies that can protect you; specifically in the New Jersey family courts. The family court has the authority to issue both temporary and final restraining orders, and many times, these proceedings go hand in hand with any criminal case that may be ongoing. Here are some tips to help you navigate the court system… Read more
A “Solutions” Response to Domestic Violence
But, what if we shifted the focus to talking about solutions for this epidemic? What about bringing to the public instances where rates of domestic violence in a specific city were reduced due to certain efforts of the police and citizens of that city? Read more
Domestic Violence Protection: How The Courts Help Victims
If you are a victim, there are legal remedies that can protect you; specifically in the New Jersey family courts. The family court has the authority to issue both temporary and final restraining orders, and many times, these proceedings go hand in hand with any criminal case that may be ongoing. Here are some tips to help you navigate the court system… Read more
Can You Ask for Palimony When Your Partner is Dead?
Obtaining an award of palimony in New Jersey has become more difficult over the last few years. Palimony — a one-time financial award for a former intimate partner that never married — can only be granted in the Garden State if there is a written promise to pay it, if the palimony agreement dates from 2010. Palimony agreements pre-dating 2010 that are oral/verbal in nature may still be considered valid. Given these different standards, it’s not uncommon for former partners to end up in court when a palimony agreement is contested. But what about recouping palimony after your partner dies? Read more
Smart Phone Apps Spouses Use to Spy
Only a brief Google search will yield you fast results: tracking software and smartphone applications that can be purchased, downloaded and installed on someone else’s phone. Companies will even monitor the software for you for a little as 50 cents a day. Why are these programs available? To be fair, they are usually marketed as a way to keep track of your children so that you know their whereabouts in what can be a dangerous world. They are also supposedly geared towards employers who may be concerned about the security of their businesses. But, what about the use of these types of applications and programs in a domestic violence situation? Read more
Domestic Violence in LGBTQ Relationships
Domestic Violence Doesn’t Discriminate
Asset Division: Should Ex-Spouse Share in $2.5M Job Bonus After Brief Marriage?
An ex-wife in a brief 14-month marriage is demanding a share of the $2.5 million work bonus paid to her ex-husband. Job or work bonuses are often subject to division in divorce, but what makes this former spouse’s claim unique is that she is asking for an award based on the length of their marriage and the time prior to that when she and her husband dated and cohabited.
Two lower courts have said “no” to her request, affirming that equitable distribution of any property, including salary bonuses, should be based upon the length of the actual marriage only. The ex-wife was awarded 30K by the courts as an amount commensurate with the short duration of her marriage. However, she believes that she is entitled to approximately $200,000 and has appealed these prior rulings to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Does she have a case?
Read more
You Don’t Have To Be A Celebrity To Divorce Like A Star!
How does she do it? And how can you have a celebrity divorce like the Hollywood stars, even when you live here in New Jersey? Let’s take a look Read more
Co-Parenting in New Jersey: Can It Be Done?
Image copyright Jean_Nelson, Depositphoto.com
Even the most famous of couples who are divorcing are not immune to battles regarding their kids, custody, parenting time and child support. This week, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from her husband of two years, Brad Pitt. The couple has been together for nearly a decade and have six children; three adopted and three born to the couple. What steps can the pair take to establish a positive co-parenting relationship — and how might these tips translate to parents in New Jersey? Read more
Does Addiction Mean You Can Cut Off Child Support?