*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. 

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

In New Jersey, spouses are not required to live separately prior to filing for divorce or during the divorce process. The Complaint for Divorce can be filed based on irreconcilable differences, meaning that the parties have been incompatible for six months prior to the filing and have no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. Notwithstanding, it can certainly be difficult for spouses to live together while going through a divorce. A few of the issues that should be considered prior to remaining in the same home during divorce proceedings will be discussed here.

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.

Divorce is extremely common and often times inevitable. It is important to understand the potential risks, but also preliminary measures necessary to prevent or minimize negative effects to your child's well being throughout the break up. We have compiled data into this informative infographic to better understand what to expect in the event of a divorce involving a child.

      Over the weekend, a divorced mother posted a video depicting her six-year-old daughter, Tiana, demanding that her mother and ex-husband “be friends” after Tiana witnessed them arguing.  It's a "must see" for any divorced or separated parent.  Click here to watch the video.

      In the video, Tiana was sitting on the stairs lecturing her mother: