The process of modifying a court order to deny an abusive parent custody of their child should be straightforward, but it isn't—sometimes with devastating results. In New Jersey, a horrific case of child abuse turned deadly has shaken public faith in the system. The tragedy highlights the difficu...

Jewish women in New Jersey are a step closer to having legal support from secular courts in obtaining a “get” from husbands refusing to give them one. On March 30, 2023, the New Jersey Assembly unanimously passed A1475, a bill that proposes adding language to a state domestic violence statute tha...

Several recent New Jersey bids to combat domestic violence are working their way through the state legislature—with varying degrees of speed—speaking to just how important the issue has become for state residents and lawmakers. Two of the newest laws currently under consideration have their roots...

When spouses and non-married couples with minor children decide to go their separate ways, New Jersey courts encourage them to formalize their parental rights and responsibilities via a child custody order. This formalization process allows everyone involved to benefit from legally-enforceable ex...

Child custody cases are an emotional rollercoaster. Determining how rough or smooth the ride goes is totally at the parents' discretion. No one wants to bring unnecessary stress to themselves or their children. Most importantly, no one wants to feel like they've done more damage to the situation ...

A New Jersey mother is mourning the loss of her son after he was allegedly beaten to death by his father. The six-year-old was pronounced dead at a New Jersey hospital after the boy's father brought him in with complaints of nausea and shortness of breath. Authorities determined that the cause o...

While divorce is challenging for all couples, special issues arise when physicians divorce. In New Jersey, these divorces may involve division of a medical practice, alimony issues, and special considerations concerning disclosure of sensitive information. An MD is Not a Marital Asset In NJ, a...

Following a divorce, custody battles are an extremely stressful time for everyone involved. Every parent wants what's best for their children, but they also want to maximize their own time with their sons and daughters. Because the stakes are so high, this can lead to many tense words and emotion...

Divorce or separation is hard, especially if you have children. You want the best for your kids, but what if you're concerned that your ex isn't necessarily at their best? Our clients often ask how to ensure their kids are safe with their ex, especially with a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Th...

Advances in medical technology have made sperm and egg donations more common in recent years and allowed many people to become parents. However, they have also created new legal questions about whether sperm and egg donors have parental rights in these situations. Just as the medical techniques i...

A Paterson mother recently made the news for an incident at Wal-Mart in which she was arrested for shoplifting and endangering the welfare of a child. According to the police, the woman was shopping with her one-year-old daughter and her sister when she was accused of shoplifting. At that point, ...

“I'll forgive, but I'll never forget.” You've probably heard these words or maybe spoken them yourself. As a culture, we highly value forgiveness; we enjoy reading feel-good stories about people forgiving those who hurt or even killed their loved ones. But is it necessary to forgive someone who's...

When separated from your spouse but not yet divorced, each party must understand their potential debt liability, particularly when it comes to medical bills. In New Jersey, when a couple lives separately and has no "viable marriage," they are usually no longer responsible for each other's medical...

After a divorce, it can take some time for emotions to settle and for life to get back to normal – and it can take even longer before you feel comfortable bringing a new romantic partner into the mix. Dating after divorce can be even more stressful when kids are involved – and it can be especiall...

A recent news story of the overdose of a New Jersey teacher in a middle school classroom highlights the dangers of drug use in the presence of children. After the teacher lost consciousness, children viewed the administration of Narcan and the teacher's resuscitation by paramedics, resulting in c...

What happens when teen parents fight over custody? It's hard to imagine such a scenario, but teen pregnancies often have this result. When teens have kids, they will face a mountain of difficulties. They're not financially or emotionally prepared to raise a child of their own, and that's generall...

When raising children with someone, you're bound to have disagreements. Whether it's where to get the best education, how to discipline children, or what religion to teach kids, conflicts are sometimes normal between two parents. But after a divorce, making decisions together can become even more...

While the prevalence of Amber Alerts on our cell phones and media is a reminder that child abduction is a very real threat, over 60% of Amber Alerts are for abductions not by strangers but by family members. In contentious custody cases, many parents fear that the other parent will abduct the chi...

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...