Back in September, Lucas and Joanne called it quits and decided to end their 15-year marriage. The New Jersey couple is currently separated, with plans to move forward with filing for divorce in January, once the holidays are over (waiting was Joanne’s idea because, as she explained Lucas, she didn’t need the added stress). Over the past few months, Lucas and Joanne have have had very little contact with each other, especially since each party established their own bank accounts as soon as they decided to separate. For all intents and purposes, except for the official paperwork, Joanne and Lucas are living like a divorced couple.
In late December, Lucas receives a year-end bonus at his job. Because his company had a successful year, the amount of the bonus turns out to be a considerable windfall. Before Lucas deposits the check in his personal back account, he thinks about the divorce he will be filing for in mere days, and how this money may come into play. Is this money — received after he and his wife separated — considered marital or separate property? If his wife can lay claim to it, how much will she get? Will this money mean a higher alimony payment? And what if Lucas holds off on depositing the money until after he files for divorce… would that be a loophole to keep it safe? Read more
What Happens To The Year-End Bonus When You File For Divorce?
Back in September, Lucas and Joanne called it quits and decided to end their 15-year marriage. The New Jersey couple is currently separated, with plans to move forward with filing for divorce in January, once the holidays are over (waiting was Joanne’s idea because, as she explained Lucas, she didn’t need the added stress). Over the past few months, Lucas and Joanne have have had very little contact with each other, especially since each party established their own bank accounts as soon as they decided to separate. For all intents and purposes, except for the official paperwork, Joanne and Lucas are living like a divorced couple.
In late December, Lucas receives a year-end bonus at his job. Because his company had a successful year, the amount of the bonus turns out to be a considerable windfall. Before Lucas deposits the check in his personal back account, he thinks about the divorce he will be filing for in mere days, and how this money may come into play. Is this money — received after he and his wife separated — considered marital or separate property? If his wife can lay claim to it, how much will she get? Will this money mean a higher alimony payment? And what if Lucas holds off on depositing the money until after he files for divorce… would that be a loophole to keep it safe? Read more
14 Gifts to Give Your Divorced Friends (or Your Ex) This Holiday Season
Make the holidays a little happier for newly divorced friends and loved ones with these light-hearted gift ideas. Is it your first holiday season since your separation or divorce? Put yourself on your own gift giving list! And if you’re really feeling generous this year, there are even a few gifts listed below that might be the perfect present for a former spouse. Read more
State Judiciary Fee Hike Affects Cost of New Jersey Divorce
If you are gearing up to get a divorce in New Jersey, be aware that the cost of filing the necessary paperwork just went up. Read more
5 Steps to Take Before Filing for Divorce
You’ve decided to get a divorce, so now what? Before filing any paperwork, it pays to take some time to get yourself organized and acquainted with the legal process you are about to embark on. As those who rushed into the divorce process may be able to tell you, there can be unintended consequences for not getting your “ducks in a row” before filing for a divorce.
As for which particular “ducks” you need to pay attention to, here are 5 important steps you won’t want to skip before filing for divorce: Read more
NJ Supreme Court Case Raises Important Questions About Alimony Awards for Stay-At-Home Spouses
The New Jersey Supreme Court yesterday began hearing arguments in the alimony dispute of Elizabeth Gnall v. James Gnall (Gnall v. Gnall). For anyone with questions concerning how and when permanent lifetime alimony is awarded, and whether stay-home-spouses should be expected to resume their career in the event of divorce, this is a case to pay attention because its outcome could change how future alimony awards are decided.
[Note: The NJ Supreme Court issued a decision in Gnall v. Gnall on July 29, 2015. For a summary of the Court’s findings, please see our update blog: NJ Supreme Court Case Addresses Questions About Alimony Awards for Stay-At-Home Spouses: Gnall v. Gnall (Part II).]
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Wife Forbids Contact With Children After Husband’s Affair
Luke and Karen have two young children. After discovering Luke was having an affair, Karen informed him that she would be filing for divorce and that he was to pack his bags and leave. Luke moved out, but specifically rented an apartment nearby so he could still be close to the kids. Once he was settled in, Luke called Karen and asked her if the children could spend the weekend with him. Karen told him in no uncertain terms that he was not worthy of seeing his children after what he did to her, and promptly hung up. Karen then refused to take any more of his calls or answer his texts.
Luke had no idea how to proceed or what his rights as a father were. He was aware that couples with children who divorce end up with a child custody order as part of their divorce decree. However, he and Karen were only separated, and it would be some time before their divorce even really began (Karen had yet to serve him with papers). What was he supposed to do in the meantime? Read more
What Is a Covenant Marriage?
Making headlines in wedding news this week are the nuptials of Jill Duggar, the second eldest daughter of TV’s famous 19 Kids and Counting Duggar clan, and her new husband, Derick Dillard. Their wedding — which recently aired on TLC — is all the buzz not just because of the Duggar’s reality TV celebrity, but because the two decided to enter into a different kind of marital agreement called a “covenant marriage.” Read more
Domestic Violence and Abuse in New Jersey: Where to Find the Help You Need
As we recently depicted in “Faces of Domestic Violence,” it is not always easy to identify domestic abuse, especially in its more subtle forms. This means that often, people in the grip of this problem delay seeking help until a situation has become overwhelming or dangerous. Without professional help, signs of abuse rarely disappear and frequently worsen over time. In this post, we are urging you to take action at the first sign of a problem.
What kind of help should you seek and where? Read more
Controversial Bad Judge Show A Case of Bad Judgment?
Have you watched the new NBC show, Bad Judge? The series, starring veteran TV actress Kate Walsh, has recently come under fire for its depiction of a female judge who engages in — to put it lightly — highly unethical behavior, both on and off the bench. Read more
Positive Co-Parenting Over Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate family and all that we’re thankful for, and for divorced families, the day is no different! Usually, the only ingredients needed to bring joy — not stress — to the table during the holiday season is a little creativity and flexibility in co-parenting strategies. Ready to dig in? Here are 5 tips for a more relaxed, happy and child-centered Thanksgiving. Read more