When a married couple decides to divorce, there are typically many problems in the relationship – but general incompatibility can become exceedingly stressful and emotional when differing religious beliefs are involved. The situation becomes even more complex when the couple shares children. Afte...

When parents split up, a child custody agreement becomes necessary. Even in the most amicable breakups, reaching a fair arrangement can be complicated, especially if you are unfamiliar with the court system and processes required to establish a child custody agreement. Most parents hire a child c...

When the parents of children split up, either through a divorce or through a different sort of breakup, they must decide who will care for their children and what type of custody they will each have. Child custody is a legal term that describes the rights and responsibilities of parents concernin...

It's never easy being a parent to teenagers. Part of growing up is testing boundaries, gaining independence, and exploring newfound freedoms. At the same time, they still need guidance and support from their parents. This can be a difficult balancing act for both parents after they divorce or sep...

Modern families are a diverse bunch. It is increasingly common for a child to be born to unmarried parents. To accommodate these circumstances, the court system in New Jersey has established an alternative to divorce called a “non-dissolution ‘FD' case” for when unmarried parents part ways. It i...

When someone is a victim of domestic violence–whether it be stalking, threats of physical harm, or physical violence (including sexual assault)–it's natural for them to fear for their well-being. They may wonder whether the perpetrator will strike again. This is just as true for victims of crimin...

New Jersey has numerous laws in place aimed at protecting victims of threats, violence, and intimidation from relatives, former romantic or sexual partners, or co-parents. Unfortunately, state law often fails to protect individuals who find themselves targeted by people they barely know, or don't...

When some people hear the words “domestic violence,” they think only of abuse occurring between a married or cohabitating couple. But persons in a dating, non-cohabitating relationship who are abused by their partners are also victims entitled to protection under New Jersey's domestic violence la...

There's no easy way of going through a split with your spouse or partner. The process is often even more difficult and emotional when minor children are involved. If you're going through a separation or divorce and are trying to learn everything you can about custody in New Jersey, you should kno...

Navigating child custody laws in New Jersey is no easy task. Not only can the laws be confusing and intimidating, but often, those trying to move through the process are already under extreme emotional stress. No one wants to battle the other parent of their child for custody, but ultimately, tho...

Every New Jersey parent has a different approach to disciplining their child. Although it's taboo to give unsolicited parenting advice these days, parents need to know about one very important line they shouldn't cross. That line is the threshold that marks where child discipline ends, and where ...

In today's high-priced housing market, where even studio apartments can be ridiculously expensive, it's common for people to seek out roommates to share housing costs. But what if your roommate turns out to be not so nice? What if they turn nasty and begin threatening you–or even become physicall...

New Jersey courts are experiencing a severe backlog–an issue partly due to the surplus of judicial vacancies throughout the state. An estimated 15% of all New Jersey Superior Court judgeships have yet to be filled. These vacancies and the resulting bottleneck of cases can significantly impact ind...

Sexual assault is a serious matter that leaves the person attacked feeling vulnerable and scared. It's more common than many realize, and it need not be violent to be traumatic. Sexual assault may be carried out by a wide range of people of all types and sizes–family members, casual acquaintances...

An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) is a court order that prohibits individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others from possessing, purchasing, or owning a gun or other firearm. In New Jersey, ERPOs function as the state's “red flag” law. The law's intent is to protect the public from in...

In New Jersey, victims of stalking, harassment, assault, or other abuse may file for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to get legal protection. In some cases, however, a person may be unable to file for a TRO by themselves. Minors are unable to file for a TRO and need an adult with them; some e...

If you've filed a restraining order against someone, you've made a decision to protect yourself from someone who was harming you or from whom you felt threatened. The restraining order, also known as a PFA (“protection from abuse”) order, prevents the respondent from contacting you or coming near...

Former NFL running back Frank Gore was charged with simple assault over an incident that occurred in Atlantic City in July. Allegedly, it was a domestic violence incident between Gore and an unnamed 28-year-old woman that took place at the Tropicana Atlantic City. Police were called to the scene,...

If you logged onto the internet during the spring of 2022, chances are you're somewhat familiar with the defamation case filed by actor Johnny Depp against his former spouse, actress Amber Heard. It's no surprise that a trial between two high-profile celebrities made national headlines, but the n...

If you're dealing with a restraining order in New Jersey, you probably have some questions about what effect it will have on your life. Whether you are the one who filed for the restraining order or the one who the order was filed against, it's changed the way that you go about your daily life. O...

Divorcing parents in New Jersey often fight tooth and nail for child custody when their child or children are minors. Typically, New Jersey courts will award one or both parents a combination of legal and physical custody. In making its determination, the court will weigh the best interest of the...

When someone takes a restraining order against you, it turns your life upside down. Depending on the order's details, you may have lost access to your home, custody of your children, and are forbidden to contact your former partner–and sometimes their close family members or friends–through any m...

Modern technology allows us to communicate with each other online in a myriad of ways. While this connectivity has upsides, it also provides more opportunities for harassment and bullying. In New Jersey, laws have started catching up with online communication and taking it into account in domesti...

Laws such as New Jersey's Domestic Violence Act are vital for protecting actual victims. But in some instances, like a contentious divorce or child custody case, one party may use these laws to make false allegations of domestic violence against the other. A false accusation of domestic violence...

Breakups are supposed to bring closure to relationships, right? Well, yes, but often at least one partner cannot quite let go. Maybe this partner continues with phone calls, emails, texts, uninvited knocks on the door, "watching" from afar, or even threats of one sort or another. This partner, un...