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New Jersey Divorce Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Ex was awarded 1/2 my pension. He’s behind in child support. Will this be garnished if still unpaid when I retire?

He took half of my teachers pension in our divorce. His wages are already garnished. He is currently 20k behind with still 5 more years of child support to pay. When it comes to retirement at 55 (I am currently 45) and he still owes child support- will my pension still go to him or will it be... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 20, 2024

Start with the presumption that his share of the pension will not be garnished. If there are arrears outstanding from his child support obligation, you need to file an application with the court and ask the court to enter an order imposing a garnishment on his share of your pension for repayment... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I am looking to file for divorce in the state of New Jersey. I am not sure if my partner had already filed.

Na

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Apr 18, 2024

If your partner filed for divorce, typically they would have you “served”, meaning you would be given a copy of the divorce complaint and any ancillary documents. If your partner has an attorney, you can also contact their office to inquire about the status of any complaint/filing. If your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: How long it takes in hudson county after MSA been filed been there waiting for more than year in an uncontested divorce?

Hi i have filed the default divorce in April 2023. We filed the MSA in january 2024. And then filed the certification to give divorce on papers in february 2024. How long it takes i have an attorney and court doesn’t tell me anything and he says they are backed up you just have to wait? Is there... View More

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Apr 18, 2024

If you and your spouse have been waiting for a Final Judgment of Divorce back from the Court, it may be worth it to contact the Family Division in Hudson County and inquire as to the status of your matter. The phone number is available on the New Jersey Superior Court website. It may be that the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Hello, My x-wife and I have amicably agreed to a modification of alimony, how do I do that? Thanks.

I have been unemployed for +1yr but have recently taken a +50% decrease in salary to work. My x-wife and I have a great relationship and both agree to new terms. I just don't know how to file paperwork to make this happen.

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Apr 18, 2024

When spouses agree on a modification to their Final Judgment of Divorce (such as an agreement to modify alimony) they can memorialize that agreement in writing and file what’s called a consent order with the Court. Before filing, both parties should sign the written agreement indicating they... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can an appraiser use pictures of items if spouse refuses to meet appraiser in divorce?

Spouse has luxury watches. He provided me with pictures of them. He is refusing to meet with appraiser and bring watches. If appraiser uses pictures instead of actually inspecting watches, is that called hearsay?

LaDonna M. Cousins
LaDonna M. Cousins
answered on Apr 18, 2024

Consider interviewing a couple appraisers to inquire and compare their rates. You may also consider filing a Motion with the Court asking the Court to compel your spouse to participate in the appraisal, to make a negative inference against your spouse if they refuse to participate, and to reimburse... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: I’m married with a 4 year old child. My wife wants to separate. move to Florida and take my daughter. She wants me to

Honor her wish without me fighting for my daughter to be close to both of us. I’m willing to let her go but not permanently. How should I handle this

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 14, 2024

This could be done straightforward basis except for the part about it not being permanent. After about 1 year, the child's home state becomes FL. and your chances of achieving your objective diminish substantially. You should probably rethink this entire situation. There is no easy answer and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: I’m married with a 4 year old child. My wife wants to separate. move to Florida and take my daughter. She wants me to

Honor her wish without me fighting for my daughter to be close to both of us. I’m willing to let her go but not permanently. How should I handle this

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Apr 18, 2024

This sounds like a difficult decision at an emotionally charged time. I would strongly recommend taking a pause before consenting to the move. When parties are going through a divorce, it can sometimes feel easiest in the short term to just agree and minimize conflict. However, long-term, just... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: How long it takes in hudson county after MSA been filed been there waiting for more than year in an uncontested divorce?

Hi i have filed the default divorce in April 2023. We filed the MSA in january 2024. And then filed the certification to give divorce on papers in february 2024. How long it takes i have an attorney and court doesn’t tell me anything and he says they are backed up you just have to wait? Is there... View More

LaDonna M. Cousins
LaDonna M. Cousins
answered on Apr 9, 2024

It is true that Court is backed up. I have found writing letters briefly explaining the concern and requesting a short conference with the Judge coupled with regular calls to the Judge's chambers assigned to the case (or the Presiding Judge if no Judge is assigned) to be helpful in getting a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: How long it takes in hudson county after MSA been filed been there waiting for more than year in an uncontested divorce?

Hi i have filed the default divorce in April 2023. We filed the MSA in january 2024. And then filed the certification to give divorce on papers in february 2024. How long it takes i have an attorney and court doesn’t tell me anything and he says they are backed up you just have to wait? Is there... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 9, 2024

I agree that Hudson County is one of the worst in the state for delays in the family part but it may also mean that your papers got lost or are sitting someplace with dust accumulating on them. Your lawyer should be able to tell you which judge the matter is assigned to and he / she should have... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I voluntarily agreed to pay my ex wife alimony. I’ve been paying her for 10 years now and she remarried. Can I revoke it

The agreement doesn’t specify termination date

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 29, 2024

You need to retain an experienced matrimonial attorney to bring a motion for termination of spousal support and credit for any overpayment. Spousal support can be from the day that they first began cohabitation. With modern technology there are no geographic boundaries on obtaining the best... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I voluntarily agreed to pay my ex wife alimony. I’ve been paying her for 10 years now and she remarried. Can I revoke it

The agreement doesn’t specify termination date

Flavio Van Boekel
Flavio Van Boekel
answered on Mar 29, 2024

If your agreement is silent as when Alimony should end and your ex-wife has remarried, you should retain an experienced attorney to file a notice of Motion to terminate alimony. Remarriage is one of the legal grounds for termination of alimony unless an agreement or order states otherwise. In your... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I voluntarily agreed to pay my ex wife alimony. I’ve been paying her for 10 years now and she remarried. Can I revoke it

The agreement doesn’t specify termination date

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 1, 2024

I have been a divorce lawyer for the past 38 years and I dont think I have ever had someone say that they voluntarily have paid alimony for the past 10 years with no writing in place and even after the other spouse remarried. I presume you have been making all of your payments directly and not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Support and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: What do I do if my lawyer unresponsive and has not helped me in two years with a simple divorce case

My husband left and served me divorce papers in Oct. 2021- my was 16 at the time and now 18 and in college - I have not received any child support or aid for my daughters college - my lawyer claims to file a motion but court said they never received - I am suffering financially because of the... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Mar 22, 2024

My suggestion is that you need to schedule a consultation with another divorce lawyer. I dont know what occurred between you and your current lawyer but obviously there is an issue. If you want, write to the lawyer and ask him if he can schedule 10 minutes to update you on the current status of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: Can I move out of the house with my kids before a divorce or agreement? Or would it be abandonment I live in NJ

Married 8 yrs living together 16. 2 kids 9 & 11 yrs old. The house is only under my husbands name but was bought right after my youngest son was born but before we got married, he doesn’t work(hasn’t for a few yrs) I pay the mortgage (I give him the money cash) and also pay bills thru my... View More

Allison Kruk Ormond
Allison Kruk Ormond
answered on Mar 12, 2024

Abandonment or desertion is a fault-based ground for divorce in New Jersey. It is defined by statute (N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2) as "willful and continued desertion" for a term of 12 months or longer. One way to establish abandonment as a fault-based ground for divorce is by providing proof that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Domestic Violence and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: If I do not agree with the Judge's decision in my divorce trial, can I file an appeal or sue my ex-husband?

This is a domestic violence case with extensive misuse of marital funds and loss.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Feb 28, 2024

If the trial is over and the court has ruled on all issues outstanding and has issued a decision ( from the bench or in writing), you have the right to seek an appeal of his rulings to the appellate division. There is a specific time frame for the filing of an appeal, specific documents that must... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Appeals / Appellate Law, Domestic Violence and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I just received a notice that a complaint was filed against me but the court date already passed, what do i do?

I just received a letter from the court that a complaint was filed against me (by my US citizen husband, I am European), the letter was delivered to my address in Europe today, but the letter states failure to appear notice and it has a courte date for last week. It arrived after the court date and... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Feb 1, 2024

I suggest you call the court and tell them what you have told us, they may remove any failure to appear or warrant that may have issued due to this fact, on the other hand they may not it depends on how much time they gave for mailing and other factors. That being said even if your successful and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Appeals / Appellate Law, Domestic Violence and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I just received a notice that a complaint was filed against me but the court date already passed, what do i do?

I just received a letter from the court that a complaint was filed against me (by my US citizen husband, I am European), the letter was delivered to my address in Europe today, but the letter states failure to appear notice and it has a courte date for last week. It arrived after the court date and... View More

Louis A Casadia
Louis A Casadia pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 1, 2024

I also agree you should just call the court and explain your situation that you did not get notice in time. An attorney could also do this on your behalf. As to the simple assault charges you need representation so that someone can obtain the evidence and speak with the Prosecutor. It may also be... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: If I have a court order with date till I have to file answer for a divorce, can I ask the court for extention ?

I have dead line for answer for my divorce case but I need more time.

Since the date is in court order I would like to know if I can ask the court strait for extention or I have to reach up the other parties before I filed to court? Nj

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jan 30, 2024

If the deadline to file an Answer is set forth in a court order, you need to comply with that deadline. My guess is that the other lawyer is not going to give you additional time. BUT, go online and google form Answer to divorce complaint in New Jersey and I have to beleive that there are plenty of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: I have joint custody of the children. My adversary hasn't consulted with anything, now ask me to pay for all expenses

I have joint custody of the children, but my adversary hasn't consulted me on any decisions since our divorce.

Without my input, she chose an expensive out-of-state school for our son. Recently, she filed a motion seeking me to cover all college and additional expenses. Do I stand a... View More

Bari Weinberger
Bari Weinberger
answered on Feb 6, 2024

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear you are going through this stressful time. In a situation like the one you describe, contesting such an issue is certainly possible but succeeding in same depends on a getting more parenting time could be possible, however this would be based upon a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: I have joint custody of the children. My adversary hasn't consulted with anything, now ask me to pay for all expenses

I have joint custody of the children, but my adversary hasn't consulted me on any decisions since our divorce.

Without my input, she chose an expensive out-of-state school for our son. Recently, she filed a motion seeking me to cover all college and additional expenses. Do I stand a... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jan 24, 2024

You NEED to meet with an experienced divorce lawyer and have him prepare your opposition paperwork and your cross application addressing your ex's failure / refusal to cooperate with your rights as a joint legal parent under the terms of your agreement. Simply walking into court and thinking... View More

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