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Questions Answered by Richard Diamond
2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: Is there a different process for seeking an annulment versus a divorce?
Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 13, 2024

An annulment means that there was a fraud that went to the heart of the marriage and for court purposes, you need to be able to prove that fraud, and the longer the marriage lasted, the more difficult it will be to prove a fraud.

If the purpose of your inquiry is for religious reasons, you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I'm Pro Se. Why did my wife's divorce attorney include a one-page boilerplate list objecting to every interrogatory? Tx

They also did answer each Interrogatory and Document Request, albeit with massive deficiencies.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 4, 2024

They have a right to identify all objections to the questions posed so that at time of trial, they have preserved their objections to the admissibility of the answers provided - to limit your ability to use their answers.

Separately, if there are deficiencies, you need to a deficiency...
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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: The father of my baby says he will support the child. should I still file for child support?

The father took a paternity test. We have never lived together. His mother says that their family can help out in various ways--transportation, childcare, and so on. Does it make sense to see how that goes? Will it still be possible to file for child support later if this goodwill arrangement... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 3, 2024

The father says that he is willing to support his child. Presuming he is being honest, why would you then file an application with the court to potentially get the same amount that he is offering without court intervention?

If anything, hire a lawyer to know what you are entitled to...
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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: Can my ex-husband, modify child support, if he's been paying me directly, not through probate Court?

He pays me directly, he modified child support when my oldest son graduated college, without contacting me, and without filing a motion. Also, I have never received any cost-of-living adjustment over the last nine years.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 1, 2024

If your son graduated from college, isnt it safe to say that he is emancipated under the law? I presume your settlement agreement imposed a support obligation on your former husband until your son graduated from college. Typically, a payor would reach out to the other spouse in advance of the... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: If I file bankruptcy before equitable d. is done will that mean opposing party no longer has to pay backpay owed?

Technically divorced but the equitable distribution hasn’t be sorted through. Opposing party has large amount of back pay for marital and child related expenses. If I file bankruptcy will that mean he no longer owes me that money if I no longer owe the creditor due to bankruptcy?

And can... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on May 31, 2024

It would be irresponsible for any divorce lawyer to speculate as to what is and is not dischargeable in your particular bankruptcy matter and how a discharge may affect the distribution of assets. My suggestion is to schedule a meeting with a divorce lawyer to review all of the terms of your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: A default has been filed agianst me in Bergen Cty.Can I still upload my Answer or file a motion to set aside the default

The default has not yet been entered. We have the hearing scheduled for June 12th. I called my husband's attorney's office multiple times to get additional time to answer. He never responded to the messages I left his paralegal, but instead filed a default judgment. When he filed for the... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on May 27, 2024

You need to file an application immediately and you need to detail the timeline of every call to the other lawyers office with a print out from your cell phone record showing the call made, who you spoke with and what if anything was the response and the details of the other court proceeding with... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Hiding assets overseas in divorce matter.

My spouse closed his bank accounts overseas and failing to disclose all of his assets and personal businesses. We’ve subpoenaed the bank but no response. Thus his discovery was very vague and empty. Is there a way to force this information to come to light? I will add that my judge is not helpful... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 29, 2024

It sounds like you have a lawyer representing you and your lawyer is attempting to get documents for accounts you believe existed at some point in the past. If you have documentary proof of the existence of those accounts, give those documents to your lawyer so that your lawyer can ask the court to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law and Libel & Slander for New Jersey on
Q: I'm the plaintiff and my motion for summary judgment was granted in my favor.

I don't see any monetary for damages tho. Is there a next step or am I suppose to file something

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 24, 2024

I have no idea what requests were sought as part of your summary judgment application.

My suggestion is that you pay a lawyer for his / her time to review your summary judgment application, the opposition filed, the reply papers filed ( with all exhibits) and the proposed form of order you...
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2 Answers | 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

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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

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

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 Family Law and Child Custody for New Jersey on
Q: Why after 7 years of being a fit mother and filing half a dozen times for joint custody, I still don't have it?

award me joint custody of our daughter? I've been accused of doing drugs, which I disproved over and over with clean hair follicle tests, having my child withheld whenever the father feels like changing the schedule. Also, when my daughter was a baby and I asked the judge when I can raise... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Feb 16, 2024

I understand your frustration but there are pieces to this story that are missing and the best advice I can give you is to sit down with an experienced divorce lawyer to review the history of the court orders entered in your matter and review the certifications filed in support of your requests and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: If we did a pre-nup doc but just signed it ourselves (as a couple, no lawyer/notary), can we get it notarized later on?

We live in New Jersey and got married there. Before the wedding we (couple) created our own document and signed it ourselves but had no lawyer/notary involved.

Now to register the wedding in another country (one of us is not a US citizen so we wanted to register in both) the other country... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Feb 15, 2024

I understand the question and the short answer is that you can try to find a notary that is willing to sign the document acknowledging your respective signatures. If you and your spouse talk with the notary and acknowledge that the signatures affixed to the document are your signatures, the notary... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: hi. i have family judge, threatened me against use of new evidence, has found everyway do quell my new evidence, delayed

Currently ignoring filed motions that contain new evidence of plaintiff perjury, njdcpp ethics, falsification of medical documents, more. Judge knows this evidence destroys the case against me and her judgement. promised she was not going to hear it. Can I compel judge to hear my motions and see my... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Feb 12, 2024

Not necessarily and it does not mean that the judge is wrong or that the appellate division will reverse the courts actions. When a matter is filed in the court system, parties are obligated to file / serve specific discovery requests and those requests for information MUST be produced to the other... View More

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, Child Custody, Child Support and Juvenile Law for New Jersey on
Q: My dad kicked me out of the house at 17 but won't let me proceed with adult measures. What do I do?

I became pregnant at 17 and made my dad aware. He told me that if I kept the baby, I would be out of the house but if I got rid of the baby, I could stay. I decided to keep the baby but asked if I could stay at least until I finished school and he continued to say that if I kept the baby, I would... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jan 28, 2024

You need to meet with a social service worker from the county where you lived while living with your dad to find out what resources are available to you for healthcare, schooling, housing, etc to be able to finish school and for the baby's benefit. I would also talk with the father of your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Domestic Violence for New Jersey on
Q: DV TRO hearing the plaintiff said they drop the TRO if the defendant would agree to cash settlement. Is that legal?

The judge said you can't talk to him you would need to get a lawyer to work that out. This doesn't seem legal to me.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jan 28, 2024

Its improper to offer money in exchange for the dismissal of a dv restraining order. If he is acknowledging that he did something wrong, agreeing to put in place appropriate civil restraints to bar all contact and communications moving forward and he is offering to give you money to relocate and to... 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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