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

Study: Divorce Rates Will Increase As Economy Recovers

Just how much did the Great Recession of 2008-2011 affect divorce rates in the U.S.? Read more

Who Has Final Say Over Whether a Child Attends Preschool?

transgender children

In recent celebrity news, two of the parents featured in the MTV reality show Teen Mom have experienced a very real conflict over their child attending preschool. According to reports, Kailyn Lowry is battling her former partner and father of her child, Jo Rivera, over his demand that she stop sending their son Isaac to preschool. The 21-year old father has publicly said that he feels such education is not ‘necessary’ for their son Isaac.

Conflicts over education can be common among co-parents, even those who live life far from the spotlight. What child custody issues are at stake? Read more

5 People Who Need a Prenuptial Agreement

Image copyright Jean_Nelson, Depositphoto.com

Are you one of them? A prenuptial agreement is a legal document signed off on by a couple before their marriage that can address such issues as property and assets brought into the marriage by each person, and what the property rights of each will be should they divorce. A prenup can also spell out amounts of NJ spousal support or alimony the couple agrees to in the event of divorce, and how certain behavior (i.e., cheating/marital infidelity) can affect the conditions of a divorce. Read more

Learning From Khloe Kardashian’s Divorce Stress: 3 Tips

On the outside, Khloe Kardashian has smiled for cameras and seemingly tried to keep it “business as usual” since she decided to file for divorce from husband Lamar Odom in late December. However, on last night’s season opener of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the reality star gave audiences a more candid look at what she’s going through, and it’s clear she’s under a lot of stress. Read more

Why Did Eliot and Silda Spitzer File for Divorce as “Anonymous v. Anonymous”?

Eliot Spitzer, former Governor of New York and his wife Silda Wall Spitzer have officially filed for divorce, but in a move that might seem to some as unusual for a couple so much in the spotlight, the power couple’s divorce petition was filed as “Anonymous vs Anonymous”.

Why not use their real names? Read more

Tori Spelling: It’s All About The Kids 

Separation rumors have started to swirl around Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott after reports of infidelity on the part of McDermott surfaced in December. The couple have four children — Liam, 6½, Stella, 5½, Hattie, 2, and Finn, 15 months — and according to sources close to Spelling, her main goal right now is to keep her marriage intact for the sake of her family.  Read more