NJ Court Says Child’s Interests, Not Accreditation, Decides School Choice

First day of schoolFighting with your former spouse over your child’s education costs? A recent New Jersey Appellate Division court decision may give you some guidance on how a judge might view your dispute. Read more

Anti-Valentine’s Day Songs: What’s On Your Playlist?

Mushy cards. Chocolate-filled hearts. Roses everywhere you look. In case you haven’t been keeping track of the calendar, it’s Valentine’s Day — a day that can inspire dread in anyone going through a divorce. How do you get through 24 hours celebrating love and romance, when your life is filled with anything but? Turn up the music! And we don’t just mean listening to happy tunes (though upbeat music can help). Inspired by Read more

David Cassidy’s Wife Files For Divorce Following Star’s DUI, Alcohol Rehab

Actor David Cassidy and his wife Sue Cassidy, are headed for divorce after Ms. Cassidy filed papers earlier this week seeking to end their marriage of 23 years. The two have an adult child, son Beau, who was born in 1991, and own at least one home in Florida.

Just another in a long line of celebrity divorces? Not quite. Read more

Kids, Sports and Divorce: How Can Co-Parents Support Their Child’s Olympic Dreams?

Olympic champion Michael Phelps was raised by his divorced single mom Debbie; the parents of Apolo Ohno, the most decorated Winter Olympics athlete in history, divorced when their soon-to-be speed skater was just a baby. Believe your child has what it takes to be a future Olympian? Here’s how divorce can affect who foots the bill for coaches, lessons, and equipment — and what you can do to help your child go for the gold, no matter what the state of your marriage. Read more

Blue Ribbon Commission Proposed To Study NJ Alimony Reform

Following the lead of other states that have updated alimony laws in recent years, the wheels of change appear to now be turning in New Jersey in the form of a new Blue Ribbon commission approved February 11, 2014 by the Assembly Judiciary Committee to study alimony reform. Read more

Is There a Cutoff Age For New Jersey Child Support?

Maria and John divorced when their daughter was three years old. John has kept up with his monthly child support payments for the past 15 years. With his daughter turning 18 in a few months and heading off to college in the fall, John knows that he will contribute to his daughter’s college tuition and room and board costs. But what about those monthly child support checks he’s been sending Maria? Do they automatically stop once his daughter is considered an adult in the eyes of the law? Read more

When Only One Spouse Wants to Divorce: Obtaining A Default Judgment

In a best case scenario, the decision to divorce is made only after much careful and thoughtful consideration and an understanding on the part of both spouses that ending their marriage is ultimately the right thing to do, even if it’s a very difficult thing to do.

In many divorce cases, however, separation can be the result of one spouse abruptly leaving out of the blue and abandoning the other, or the decision to divorce is a choice made by only one spouse, with the other spouse resistant to the idea.

Do you find yourself in one of these last two examples, either as the spouse caught off guard by divorce, or as the spouse who has left? Here’s what you need to know about what happens in New Jersey when divorce is only pursued by one spouse. Read more

Kent & Liz Swig: Divorce of Real Estate Moguls Shows Importance of Post-Nuptial Agreement

A recent piece in the New York Times outlining the rise and fall — and eventual divorce — of one of New York City’s financial power couples describes a scenario straight out of the 1% files. The boom-bust saga, however, also contains a few important lessons for any couple dealing with matters of assets, debts, and complicated business ties as part of their separation or divorce. Read more

When Infertility Plays A Role In Divorce

Along with the heartbreak of not being able to have a baby, the stress and financial strain of infertility and unsuccessful fertility treatments can take a heavy toll on a couple’s relationship, according to a new study that found the divorce rate among infertile couples unable to get pregnant triple that of couples who received help for fertility issues and ultimately had a baby. Read more

Making Separation & Divorce Easier On The Kids

moving and custody

Your children mean the world to you, so how do you make sure their emotional needs are being met as you and your spouse make the difficult decision to separate or file for divorce? Of all places, a recent episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians showed how, even in the most tight-knit of families, special care needs to be taken to make sure children feel loved, safe, and secure. Read more