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New Jersey Divorce Questions & Answers
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 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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1 Answer | 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

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

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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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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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

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: i need help with legal malpractice case in NJ

I had a "harrington" hearing related to my divorce settlement as the plaintiff and my attorney testified against me under oath that I settled my case without my consent, either orally or in writing.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Feb 22, 2024

If you have a legal malpractice matter, you need to meet with a malpractice lawyer and provide him with the details. Meeting with a divorce lawyer at this point does not help you.

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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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

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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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: How long do I have/how long can I legally wait to pay out the lump sum payment to my ex? (NJ)

divorce agreement doesn't specify time only to be paid by cert check. the agreement does not even say "lump sum" it just says, " Husband shall tender to Wife a certified check in the sum of $75,000"

Bianca M. Sangiovanni
Bianca M. Sangiovanni pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 22, 2024

The answer will depend on the facts surrounding your divorce, equitable distribution of assets and any contingencies that might exist to trigger a reasonable time frame of the payment to be made. You should consult with an experienced family law attorney to guide you as you will likely be served... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: Health Insurance cost sharing when ex claims a kid for her own tax break?

Under my own name as PPR, claiming both kids qualifies them for cost-free Medicaid. By claiming my daughter on her taxes, my ex gets one deduction but potentially disqualifies my daughter from being covered under my Medicaid. If that happens, who becomes responsible for the new healthcare costs... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 1, 2024

The facts you stated do not support the results that you mentioned. You really need to retain an experienced matrimonial attorney to determine exactly what the situation is. Any custody or other issues should be resolved in a Court Order. Be prepared to pay a matrimonial attorney a consultation fee... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Divorce and Domestic Violence for New Jersey on
Q: Can an incident from a dismissed TRO appear on a new TRO?

My GF and I had a fight and she requested a TRO. The triggering incident was that we saw each other in a yoga class and she concluded I had followed her there, although I go to yoga at the same location. She withdrew the TRO and when I attempted to talk to her again she filed for a new TRO. At the... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Dec 27, 2023

Defending against a domestic violence complaint is not a simple task and the information in the complaint is designed to educate you as to the scope of testimony she plans to present. If she did not include any information as to the prior yoga incident, then she could not testify as to it at trial... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: What proof do I need to argue for sole custody of my children temporarily.

My husband abuses alcohol (I would say alcoholic) while taking various prescription meds over the years. History of anger issues, infidelity, abuse. Physically with myself, and around the home. Breaking/throwing things. I have 1 police report of property destruction, but nothing for my physical... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Nov 9, 2023

The difference between "sole custody" and "joint legal custody" is the obligation to discuss "major decisions affecting the children's health, education, and general welfare" - meaning if a doctor suggested that a child have surgery, should you be obligated to let... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: I received a final judgement of divorce in NJ, do I have to wait to remarry?

Uncontested divorce

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Sep 26, 2023

Legally no, but a word of "fatherly advice" - before getting married again. Ask family and friends to be honest with you, as to whether they think that this new person is really a good fit for you.

You may not like what you hear and may want to jump to tell them that they are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: My soon to be ex & I are in an ISC mid-Oct. We are pro-se. I'm unemployed & know that I am going to get cut off all $

He filed in 2020 & everything has been slow because of court backlog. We are staying in house we own for 2 more years til the youngest finishes school. The amount he'd have to pay in alimony is minimal & I haven't worked in 30 years. 3 additional sons live home, and contribute a... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Sep 25, 2023

An Intensive Settlement Conference is a last-ditch attempt by the court to settle a case before it goes to trial. I have no idea what your husband earns, what the court will conclude you are capable of earning ( even though you are not currently working and have not worked in years), I have no idea... View More

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