Blog Posts in February, 2018

New Laws Expand Protections for New Jersey Domestic Violence Victims

Just before leaving office, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed two domestic violence bills into law. These measures expand protections for victims of domestic violence in New Jersey. Legal protections are an important part of a comprehensive safety plan for those who feel unsafe in their family or romantic relationships. With support from social service agencies, legally-binding court ...

Same-Sex Divorces Spur Bitter Custody Battles in New Jersey Divorce Courts

When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in June 2015, it was a victory for same-sex couples and families seeking equal recognition under the law. It also inevitably opened the door to same-sex divorces. These have given rise to new and complicated legal issues being addressed in a patchwork of case law in state courts. While many property disputes that commonly arise in divorce ...

The Legal Rights of New Jersey Foster Parents Who Care for Minor Relatives

Foster parents have certain legal rights and responsibilities with respect to the children in their care. This can lead to legal disputes. It is important for New Jersey foster parents to be aware of their rights and to seek the advice of a Somerset County foster care attorney when issues arise regarding these rights. One such dispute has recently lead to the payment of many Kentucky relatives who ...

How to Seek a Change in Child Custody, Child Support or Visitation

Many parents are not aware that child custody, visitation and child support orders can be modified after they have been entered by a court. A parent seeking modification must meet the legal standard and support his or her petition with evidence that the standard is met by the facts of the particular case. This can be challenging, but not impossible. With the advice and experience of a New ...

Proposed Changes to New Jersey Child Custody Laws Would Radically Change Joint Custody

Like many other states, New Jersey statutes and case law allows family court judges great flexibility to make custody orders that serve the best interests of the children involved in family disputes. Almost any custody arrangement can be ordered so long as it is supported by the court’s finding that the action is in the child’s best interest. Now, state lawmakers are looking to overhaul this basic ...

A Grandparent's Visitation Rights Under New Jersey Law

The New Jersey statutes allow both grandparents and siblings to seek visitation orders from a family court. This process allows family members to protect their right to visit minor grandchildren and siblings. Unfortunately, the process for obtaining such an order from the court is not as simple as citing the statutes. Extensive case law has created difficult legal hurdles for grandparents to ...