Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Questions Answered by Richard Diamond
2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: Why must I continue to pay Child support if my daughter moved out from home and is working and paying rent?

My daughter essentially emancipated herself after graduating high school. She is working and living on her own. I am still on the hook for 1200 bucks a month. Why am I still paying and why does no attorney I speak with think this I'd an issue?

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Sep 5, 2023

I dont mean to be rude but I think the answer is that you probably have not spoken with a family law specialist. Under the statute, the probation department is to stop collecting child support when an individual hits the age of 19 unless the individual is pursuing a higher education, and then the... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Gov & Administrative Law and Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: My boyfriend co-signed with me on the purchase of a vehicle, and we are both on title. I have made and continue to make

all the car payments, and we are both on the loan. My boyfriend died a couple years ago, and I now want to put the vehicle in only my name, except motor vehicle requires a copy of the death certificate, which the family will not give me. What recourse do I have to require them to give me a copy of... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Sep 6, 2023

You need to meet with an estate planning lawyer to educate you on what steps you need to take to transfer the title to the car into your name alone. While you may have made all of the payments, my concern is whether his estate makes a claim against you for their "share" of the value of... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Had a bed and board divorce and was sent papers by my ex to dissolve into a divorce need help with what below text means

ORDERED that the Marital Settlement Agreement entered into evidence at the time of the hearing on June 10, 2021, which was marked J-1, shall be a part of and incorporated into this Dual Final Judgment of Divorce with the parties full acknowledgment that the Court took no testimony as to the merits... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Aug 31, 2023

It sounds like your attorney and your spouse's attorney agreed to a divorce from bed and board for a specific period of time with either / both parties having the right to convert it to an absolute divorce at a later date and now your spouse is seeking to convert the divorce from bed and board... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: If you have zero employment do they consider SSI on top of the minimum wage for cross motion child support increase
Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Aug 28, 2023

If the other side has filed an application with the court seeking to compel you to pay / adjust your child support payment obligation, the court has to determine your income setting for purposes of the child support guidelines. If you are disabled and receiving SSI and presumably, she is receiving... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: In New Jersey, can a contested divorce become an uncontested divorce once the attorneys withdraw from the case?

The divorce was filed pro-se. We thought it was going to be uncomplicated. It became complicated. We both hired attorneys. Now both attorneys are off the case. We have been through everything including different judgements for anything ranging from child support to parenting schedule and spousal... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Aug 17, 2023

You are mixing apples with zebras.

The cause of action for divorce ( reflected in the complaint for divorce that gives you the docket number in the court system) can be based on fault or it can be based on irreconcilable differences, but the cause of action for divorce has nothing to do...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: My ex-son in law wants to take his 3 children and hang out with his girlfriend in a tattoo shop. What can we do?

Kids are twins who are 6 and a 13 year old.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Aug 10, 2023

First question: where is your daughter in this equation?

Is she opposed to the kids hanging out there and if so, what if anything has she said/done to express her objections?

As grandparents, you can try and talk with your former son in law and tell him that you are willing to...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Divorced senior, was awarded 1/2 of her mates transit pension.I'm 71 can i still get it?NJ Transit 'sharedinterest'

Ex mate is currently getting this pension.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Aug 3, 2023

You and your spouse divorced (presumably in New Jersey) and as part of your divorce, you were awarded in a court order/settlement agreement 50% of the marital portion of your spouse's pension plan. In the court order/settlement agreement, presumably, it also stated that you and he were to... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I currently have a restraining order on the father of my 2 kids. He also plead guilty to a stalking 3rd degree felony.

There was previously a no contact which we thought would go away after his probation ended but it did not. I had to call the police for an incident that occurred and he took a plea deal by accepting a stalking 3rd degree felony charge and along with it the judge gave a permanent no stalking order.... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jul 18, 2023

I don’t mean to be rude, but:

1. You currently have a domestic violence final restraining order in place against the father of your 2 kids.

2. You also filed a criminal stalking charge against him after the entry of the final restraining order, resulting in him pleading guilty to...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can a parent with joint custody take a child (15months old) on a cruise without at least notifying the other parent?

Everyone resides in New Jersey and we have joint legal custody of our son

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jul 13, 2023

The first and most important question is whether you and your ex have a written agreement memorializing the terms of your custody, parenting time and support setting.

Secondly, you said that you and your ex have a joint custody arrangement but in New Jersey, custody arrangements are...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: What motion can I file when the spouse keeps delaying court proceedings purposely?

Spouse keeps on using delaying tactics in order to avoid our divorce to go to trial. It has been four years of this, what motions can I file so the judge knows what's going on. Spouse keeps switching lawyers and keeps filing false accusations against me in order to avoid the divorce to go to... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jul 13, 2023

Between the pandemic and the shortage of judges in the New Jersey court system, many counties are experiencing terrible delays in getting divorce matters to trial. In fact, many counties are running about 3 1/2 - 4 years out from the date of the filing of the complaint for divorce for "real... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: My mom wants a divorce, so my dad went psycho and is cutting us off financially, what should we do?

My parents were married in India but we've lived in NJ for the past 22 years. My mom told my dad (100% narcissist) recently that she wants a divorce and to move to CA with me. She and my sibling (we're mid 20s) immediately flew out to CA where I live, and my dad is losing it. Canceling... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jul 3, 2023

If your mother has lived in New Jersey for the past 12 months continually, New Jersey has proper jurisdiction for divorce purposes. The fact that your parents were married in India has nothing to do with jurisdiction for divorce purposes. Your mother can meet with a divorce lawyer for consultation... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Domestic Violence for New Jersey on
Q: My wife of 5 years recently moved back into my home. It is been 3 weeks. She filed a tro against me after a discussion.

I have a special needs son who lives there. She has a daughter there. What happens to me?

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jul 3, 2023

You need to talk with a family law attorney who regularly handles domestic violence matters so that he can review with you the current status of the temporary restraining order (whether it has been dismissed or is still active) and if active, where she represented that she was living and whether... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Family court statute of limitation in NJ Family court

I have been divorce in 12/2008. In 2015 I lost my job and was in foreclosure of my condo. My Ex-husband paid the amount owed on my condo and saved me and my daughter from losing our home. Our daughter will be a college freshman in September and he is using that money to be applied towards his... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 26, 2023

You wrote:

In 2015 I lost my job and was in foreclosure of my condo. My Ex-husband paid the amount owed on my condo

and saved me and my daughter from losing our home.

Now your daughter is in college and your ex wants to use the equity from the condo to help pay for the...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Paternity testing

I recently took the mother of my possible son to cour to request, genetic testing. Because I signed his birth certificate, they denied genetic testing, and suggested we do it privately. Another gentleman did come forward and say the child was his. My question is because I am legally his father, am... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 26, 2023

I have no idea who you spoke with at the courthouse, but the fact that you signed the birth certificate does not mean that you do not have the right to contest paternity. The statute governing paternity proceedings specifically gives you the right to challenge paternity but doing it on your own has... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can I become a paralegal and then a lawyer with my background? I have a motor vehicle conviction and domestic violence

I had a 2005 DUI in New Jersey which was a traffic crime. It is only on my driving record but in 2021 I had 2 restraining orders 1 from my ex girlfriend in California court which was for 14 months and is now over and a permanent restraining order issued against me in New Jersey near the same time.... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 25, 2023

You need to talk with a lawyer who specializes in attorney ethics matters. Under our rules, if a lawyer is found guilty of domestic violence, it must be reported to the state ethics department. If the claim involved assault, a lawyer can be suspended from the practice or disbarred so I would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Family Law and Personal Injury for New Jersey on
Q: In the state of NJ, can wife surrender husbands firearms to the police while the husband is not home resulting in felony

After an argument between my wife and I over divorce discussions, I left the house and drove away. My wife called the police and reported domestic violence on the grounds I threatened to kill myself with a gun. When police arrived, guns were in locked cases. My wife surrendered them to the police.... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 16, 2023

By virtue of you asking the question, tells me that you cannot / should not represent yourself in your divorce matter since you are going down the wrong path.

When ANYONE files a domestic violence complaint, the 1st question the police ask is whether the person accused of domestic...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Is financial infidelity considered grounds for divorce?

I have been married for 5 years, and my husband has not been responsible with our finances. He put me in a big debt with ezpass tickets, not paying the car note, and late in rent. Always lies about money and I have not idea what he does with his time. We agreed to get a divorce, he refuses to pay... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 15, 2023

If you want to file for divorce in New Jersey, you can file based on irreconcilable differences or you can file based on extreme cruelty ( detailing the information listed above) or you can file based on both claims. The problem is that regardless of the cause of action for divorce, they will not... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: Can my ex say no one can move into the house when he isn’t paying even though he’s on the mortgage?

He moved out and I am in possession of the home but he’s still on the deed and mortgage. He only wants his half if I sell it or someone moves in. Can he legally demand half if I move someone in to help pay for the mortgage? I understand he gets half if I sell but if I need help paying and he... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 15, 2023

I dont think you will be surprised with my answer - it's impossible for any lawyer to give you credible advice based on the information provided.

You need to stop taking legal advice from your ex and you need to schedule a consultation with a lawyer to discuss your divorce matter and...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New Jersey on
Q: are their ways around power of attorney?

My aunt has power of attorney over my grandfather. He is pretty healthy and of sound mind. She decided that they are selling his house and moving him. Are their ways to stop this?

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 12, 2023

So long as your grandfather is still of sound mind, he has the right to change the POA designation. My suggestion is that you and your grandfather schedule a meeting with an experienced estate planning lawyer to discuss the plan to sell his home and whether he wants to change the POA designation to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New Jersey on
Q: Do I have to allow the NCP to have more time than what is in court order?

Our court order/parenting plan doesn’t say the parenting time schedule changes when there is no school. The NCP has proposed a schedule for when our child doesn’t have school that includes longer parenting time and an additional overnight a week since our child is not in school. My child does... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Jun 12, 2023

There is no simple answer to your question. From a court's perspective, your child should know and spend quality time with both parents, so the starting point is whether your ex asked for additional time prior to the court entering the order and that request was denied or whether neither of... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.