Alcohol Addiction & Child Custody: A Dangerous Cocktail

Is your spouse an alcoholic? When ruling on child custody, courts consider a parent’s use of drugs and alcohol. The reason why is fairly straightforward: preoccupation with obtaining drugs, and the impairment and aftereffects of being intoxicated, cause people to neglect their children’s physical and emotional needs. Using drugs clouds judgment and can put children in imminent danger. Read more

Why We Need a Domestic Violence Ad During the Super Bowl

NO_MORE___Super_Bowl_2016

On Sunday during the Super Bowl, the NO MORE campaign aired its now second annual spot aimed at domestic violence awareness and prevention. (Remember last year’s pizza delivery ad?) In this year’s public awareness ad, the non-profit used familiar speech bubbles to depict a text conversation between two female friends watching the Big Game. One of the friends gives off clues that she is trapped in an abusive relationship before her speech bubble suddenly goes blank. The message of the spot is clear: we need to keep talking about domestic violence because so often victims can not. Read more

Christie Signs Child Support Termination Bill

termination of child supportOn January 19, 2016, Governor Christie signed into law a bill that dramatically impacts child support termination presumptions and procedures in New Jersey. The bill, S-1046/A-2721, is substantially similar to the version passed by the Senate in July of 2015, with minor amendments adopted by the Assembly in December.  Read more

Court To Adoptive Parents: No Undoing Adoption Even In Troubling Circumstances

Questions about children and adoption?In a novel decision by the Cape May county Chancery Division, the court has ruled that adoptive parents are not able to “undo” the adoption of their child, who had begun acting violently to the family and to schoolmates, because they waited seven years to bring the application to the court. Read more

Documents to Bring to Your Attorney Consultation

divorce paperwork

Now that you’ve scheduled your attorney consultation, you may be wondering what to bring to your meeting to make the most of your time with your attorney. Read more

Alcohol And Divorce: Last Call On Your Marriage

alcohol and divorceA 2007 study by the Rand Organization found that alcoholics are more likely to get divorced than non-alcoholics. According to the research, alcohol is the primary cause of divorce in couples under thirty. The chaos caused by excessive drinking – legal trouble, job loss, financial woes, health issues – can make life with an active alcoholic feel unmanageable. As the problem drinker’s condition deteriorates, the spouse slips into perpetual crisis management mode as she struggles to maintain the family’s financial and psychological equilibrium. Are your marriage problems being fueled by alcohol addiction? Read more

How to Prepare for a Contested Divorce: 4 Key Steps

help for contested divorce issuesYou or your spouse has filed for divorce. In an ideal world, the two of you would be able to sit down and work out all of your issues together, without having a contentious divorce. However, that is not the case for many divorcing couples and you may find yourself in what is called a “contested” divorce. Perhaps you cannot agree upon a custody arrangement or how to divide your marital assets. If you find yourself about to engage in a contested divorce action, it is critical to begin to prepare for the divorce as soon as possible. Read more

When Is The Right Time To Start Dating Again After Divorce?

Are you ready to date again after divorce?After years of being miserably married, you’re raring to hit the dating scene again. But not so fast! Despite your free-bird status, you may not be ready for a romantic entanglement. The last thing you want right now is to find yourself in a new relationship before you’ve emotionally divested yourself of the old one. How do you know when you’re REALLY ready to date? Here are some key signs… Read more

Getting Divorced When You Are a Business Shareholder or Investor

divorce for shareholders and business principals

When you are a shareholder in a business, how will divorce affect your stake? Here is an overview of what owners and investors can expect during the asset division process. Read more

5 Costly Errors People Make During Their Divorce Consultation

meeting with new jersey family law attorneyDivorce can be emotional and stressful. You have taken the very difficult step of deciding to end your marriage. You have spent time researching local attorneys. And now you are preparing for your initial consultation.  How can you make the most of this first meeting with your divorce lawyer?  Here are five costly errors frequently made during divorce consultations…and how you can avoid them. Read more