Feeling the need to apply for a restraining order can be one of the most stressful experiences in your life—you have gotten to the point where fear and anxiety about your physical safety or emotional well-being because of domestic violence, or stalking have escalated to the point you are seeking ...

If you have reached the point in your marriage where divorce is inevitable, many concerns may be swirling in your head as you enter this new, uncharted phase. If you feel the impending divorce is your fault—if, for example, you had an extramarital affair—you may also be concerned about the effect...

The New Jersey State Legislature is considering a bill, also known as “Lisa's Law,” in honor of a domestic violence victim murdered by her former fiancé, that would establish a four-year pilot program in Ocean County for using electronic monitoring devices on certain domestic violence offenders. ...

A recently released documentary, TikTok Star Murders, gives a chilling account of the circumstances—including many episodes of domestic violence—that led up to a double homicide committed in 2021 by popular TikTok creator Ali Abulaban, who was recently found guilty of killing his estranged wife, ...

Child support can be an emotionally charged topic, as it typically involves parents deciding what's best for their children. When they can't come to an agreement, the courts have to step in. Many misconceptions about child support exist, including what it is and who's responsible for paying it. T...

In May of 2024, a Plainfield man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the strangling of Brenda Montoya-Cruz, his ex-girlfriend. Six days before her death, Ms. Montoya-Cruz complained to the police that her ex-boyfriend had choked her but then declined to file a petition for a restraining order...

When children grow up exposed to or subject to violence in the home, they can experience both short-term and long-term effects on their physical and mental health. The sooner you, as their parent, can safely get your children out of the situation, the less likely they are to suffer long-lasting h...

A 41-year-old man will likely spend the rest of his life in jail for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, who was also the mother of his child. Eric Seddens was found guilty of killing Ashley Allen, then fleeing for Clearwater, Florida, where he hid out for a couple of weeks before U.S. Marshals fina...

In New Jersey, when there is a complaint filed regarding an incident of domestic violence, state law requires that a judge must advise both the victim and the perpetrator of any counseling services that are available. There is no such instruction required for any children who have witnessed or he...

In New Jersey, the top concern of any child custody case is what's in a child's best interests. Second to that is encouraging and supporting a child's relationship with both parents. One way to accomplish both of these goals is with a healthy co-parenting relationship. Everyone benefits when par...

Jersey Shore's heyday may be almost 15 years ago, but a member of the cast was back in the headlines in Spring 2024. Ronnie Ortiz-Magro's ex-girlfriend, Jen Harley, with whom he previously had a custody dispute, is again in court for custody issues. This case involves Harley's third child and so...

Family disputes that arise out of divorce proceedings can be complicated. But when soon-to-be ex-spouses have minor children, navigating the complexities can be even more daunting. State guidelines apply to custody, child support, and other issues, helping divorced couples make informed decisions...

A candlelight vigil was recently held for a domestic violence victim who had been stabbed to death in her bathtub. The woman was in the process of breaking up with her boyfriend, who was arrested on murder charges. The vigil was organized by an organization known as W.A.R.M., which helps domestic...

Protecting the Best Interests of the Child  In New Jersey family courts, the focus in child custody cases is always on the best interests of the child. There are several factors that the courts use in determining custody, but some relevant ones for minimizing harm and ensuring the safety of the ...

Sometimes, parents need a little help raising their children. This could be for multiple reasons, from substance dependency to mental health issues. And it's not uncommon for a parent to leave their children with a trusted family member – such as their own parents – while they get themselves back...

In March 2024, George Mason University received nearly $5 million to develop an advanced bruise detection app that could help medics identify bruising patterns in domestic violence victims. As this technology evolves, could the app-based system make it easier to prove domestic violence allegation...

Police responses to calls regarding someone experiencing a mental health or behavioral crisis can be among the most unpredictable and dangerous for the person in crisis. Quite often, the person's erratic behavior can be misunderstood by police, sometimes resulting in the shooting or killing of th...

Child abandonment is a serious allegation that can wreak havoc on your custody agreement, from limiting visitation to termination of parental rights. Most cases of child abandonment are more complicated than they seem. Often, child abandonment claims are ultimately found to be misunderstandings o...

A Pennsylvania man, Robert Ciccone, was arrested in Steuben County after intentionally initiating physical contact with a person who had a restraining order against him. If you have a restraining order against you, you most certainly know that initiating any contact, physical or otherwise, with t...

Police in Camden County, New Jersey, have shared data revealing a significant increase in the number of domestic violence incidents reported to the police. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of domestic violence incidents within the city of Camden jumped from 2,450 in 2016 to 2,871 in 2020. While ...

Apple AirTags and numerous similar products on the market have been great technologies for many. Whether you lose your keys regularly or don't trust your airline as far as you can throw them to keep track of your bags, these products come in handy. But what many people fail to realize is that the...

Melanie Brown (Mel B), better known by millennials worldwide as Scary Spice of the Spice Girls, has re-released her 2018 memoir Brutally Honest. The book's three new chapters explore Mel B's experience as a survivor of domestic violence she experienced at the hands of her former husband, movie pr...

Separating from your life partner is a stressful and emotional process. Whether things ended on a good or bad note, and regardless of the length of the marriage, the disentangling of two lives will always be a significant life event. Now that you are ready for a separation and potentially moving ...

A New Brunswick, NJ, news outlet reported a collection of more than 15,000 personal care items and more than $1,000 in gift cards to be distributed to domestic abuse shelters throughout NJ. The New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs, founded in 1894 and headquartered at Douglass College, ac...

Family courts are in the business of issuing custody orders. These courts typically determine parenting rights, custody rights, visitation rights, and child support obligations. If a former spouse violates a custody order, then legal consequences will occur. If your ex has violated a New Jersey c...