*NOTE:  Since the publication of this blog, Jenni's 14-paragraph letter on her website was removed (thank goodness).   As a result, the links provided in this blog may no longer be accessible or relevant.  Even so, our opinions provided within this blog have not changed.  

The holidays are stressful for almost anyone, but they can particularly take an emotional toll on those who are separated or divorced.  In last week's blog, I provided some tips to help ease the holiday stress for divorced or separated individuals. 

The holidays are stressful enough, but if you add a divorce or separation into the mix, it can become pure chaos. Between my clerkship and private practice, this upcoming holiday season will be my tenth year experiencing the inevitable turmoil and tribulation these “festivities” impose upon individuals and the congested Court system. In light of my experience, I will relay three key pieces of advice I believe are important to consider in striving for a smooth holiday season.

A Motion is an application you file with the Family Court to seek a specific form of relief. There are many different types of relief you can seek in your Motion. The most common Motions are for an increase/decrease in alimony, increase/decrease in child support, reimbursement of your children’s expenses, or a modification of custody or parenting time. Although these are the most common types of Motions, there are countless other types of relief you can seek as well.

When can a Motion be Filed?

On February 1, 2017, the State enacted N.J.S.A.

Many times, people walk into my office angry. They want vindication. They want revenge. They want their “day in court.”  I then awaken them to this reality – Don’t rely on the court, for anything.

Child custody is often the most difficult part of any divorce proceeding.  There are many different ways custody of children can be split between their parents.  Every single case is different and the parties should reach an agreement that works best for their situation.

Let’s face it – we all want to look like we have it together and can perfectly manage our lives. However, the reality is that we all have strengths and weaknesses. No matter how hard we try to hide them, eventually our not-so-lovely behaviors rear their ugly heads. Other than very close friends, our spouses or partners are probably the ones with the most knowledge and experience with those behaviors. And, while the relationship is running smoothly, that is not an issue.

Parenting is one of the most important issues to settle during a divorce. It can also be one of the most difficult. Parents often have conflicting ideas about how to raise children and these differences become even more obvious when the marriage ends. There are several options for parenting agreements that can be effective and allow the children to have a stable, healthy environment to grow up in.

During a divorce proceeding, marital assets are divided between the two parties. New Jersey law states that all property acquired during a marriage is marital property regardless of how it is titled. The courts also follow a policy of equitable distribution of those assets.