When two spouses divorce, one might earn substantially more than the other. In this case, the spouse with lesser earnings might be entitled to alimony so they can continue supporting themselves after the divorce. Alimony can also be part of premarital agreements. Spousal support can be a complex ...

New Jersey is one of just ten states that doesn't have a state-sponsored rape kit tracking system. The lack of protocols means survivors of sexual assault must wait years for law enforcement to provide updates in the hope of legal remedy and closure. However, lawmakers are on the verge of establi...

A recent Lancet Global Health report revealed a 15.7 percent abuse rate among elderly residents of community dwellings or nursing homes. This means roughly 1 in 6 senior citizens are being subjected to some form of mistreatment either by caregivers or relatives. Worse, only 1 in 24 cases of elder...

A recent news article raised the issue of elder abuse of actor John Amos, former star of “Good Times”, who died in in August of 2024 at the age of 84. His daughter, Shannon Amos, hired an attorney to investigate his care at the Centinela Hospital in Los Angeles. She said that someone impersonated...

New Jersey's Adult Protective Services (APS) helps vulnerable adults who live in a community setting, such as senior citizens and adults with disabilities. If you believe you're the subject of elder abuse or think someone you know may be a victim of elder abuse, you should report it so the APS ca...

New Jersey takes domestic violence seriously, prioritizing protecting its residents. To enhance these protections, the state has recently passed new legislation aimed at safeguarding pregnant people and their fetuses. However, family matters can be complex, and sometimes residents need help navig...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) – also called dating violence – is a type of domestic violence taken seriously by the NJ justice system. Whether you're concerned about how to handle intimate partner violence or you stand accused of this offense, here's an overview of the key facts you should know...

New Jersey is set to create a publicly accessible database of individuals with a history of domestic violence, including those convicted of a DV offense, those with a final DV restraining order issued against them, or those who violated a restraining order related to domestic violence. The public...

The more technology evolves, the more it forces the world to evolve with it. This is certainly true in the case of custody agreements. Virtual visitation is becoming a common way for parents to exercise their right to spend time with their children. The question is how exactly it affects custody ...

Governor Phil Murphy recently signed a landmark New Jersey law closing the "stranger loophole" in domestic violence (DV) cases. This law changes the DV landscape for alleged victims seeking a restraining order (RO). Historically, the legal system left a gap—known as the "stranger loophole"—which...

A new initiative in the Legislature is designed to introduce a crime of victimization for individuals who commit offenses against senior citizens or individuals with disabilities. This proposed legislation would specifically address crimes targeting individuals who are 62 years of age or older. ...

When Mike Tyson took on Jake Paul, it was billed as a spectacle for the ages—an icon of boxing squaring off against a brash social media star. While Tyson's name alone commands respect, it's no secret that he's nearly 60. His last professional fight was nearly two decades ago. In contrast, Paul i...

The online news source NJ.com updated an article on 1-30-24 discussing how coercive control is now a legal category in domestic violence cases under New Jersey law. The legislation was first introduced in the state Assembly in January 2022. The bill then passed the state Senate and was signed int...

Under New Jersey law, domestic violence is a crime that occurs within a family unit or household, between former members of a household, or between one dating partner and another. Violence at the hands of a family member or other loved one is a traumatizing and distressing experience, and fleeing...

A 9-11-24 online article in The Hill highlighted the increased parental stress families feel in coping with the modern issues of raising children. It referenced the U.S. Surgeon General's advisory, which stated that parental stress levels are so high that 48% of the 63 million parents of children...

When a relationship begins, believing the best in your partner is easy. It can be undermining and terrifying to realize the person you trusted treats you with increasing impatience and anger. It can become hard to trust your judgment as you see their behavior become hostile or unpredictable. If y...

The holiday season and school breaks are supposed to be fun for you and your child, but it can be hard to feel that way when you're struggling with custody issues. Many parents have trouble figuring out a custody schedule that's acceptable and doable for everyone. Luckily, it doesn't have to con...

The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for anyone divorcing from their spouse. Your life has been upended, and even the familiar traditions around the holidays have been changed by your divorce. It is time to begin to rethink your relationship with the holiday season and get a fresh pe...

In New Jersey, domestic violence is understood as a serious crime committed within a family or between members or former members of a household. There is a particular pain when a close family member, who should be a source of comfort and solace, is a perpetrator of domestic violence or abuse. If...

In January 2003, a man went into his girlfriend's basement, where he found two malnourished brothers, ages four and seven. What followed captured headlines for weeks. If you're in an abusive relationship, you do have avenues to escape. The Lento Law Firm Family Law Team can help you navigate the...

Domestic abuse is a pervasive problem in American society and can affect one in three women. It is regarded by mental health advocates as a systemic pattern involving a willful desire by the abuser to control a household member, usually an intimate partner, by a pattern of abusive actions. It can...

The term “liminal space” has grown increasingly popular across the internet and culture in general in recent years. Most people are familiar with physical liminal spaces depicted in pictures on Instagram and other such platforms. However, liminal spaces can also consist of experiences and emotio...

Jon, a New Jersey man living in a rooming house in Morristown, faced a challenging decision when his daughter, Deja, was born. Although the Division of Child Protection and Permanency allowed him to raise Deja in the rooming house, Jon was concerned about the baby growing up in a potentially unsa...

While many people fear being the victim of a crime committed by a stranger, they may underestimate the danger that can come from someone they know, even their own spouse. In the case of murder-suicide, there are estimates that about 1,250 people die this way each year, with the perpetrator being ...

In January 2024, singer Doja Cat's mother filed a temporary restraining order against her son. The accompanying documents painted a picture of mental and emotional abuse, leaving the singer feeling unsafe. Domestic abuse can affect anyone. Money and fame don't automatically protect someone from ...