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

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