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New Jersey Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Landlord - Tenant for New Jersey on
Q: Can I remove my adult son from my home? He is no longer welcome and I want him out asap.

I am a single mom. I rent a home. My son, 33, is not on the lease nor does he pay rent. I took him into my home in June 2022 after he was shot while trying to purchase drugs in Paterson. Since then, he has been doing crack cocaine and is an alchoholic. When I ask him to leave and move out, he... View More

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

In New Jersey, ejectment is the legal process for removing non-tenants (like friends and family members) from your property. Generally, a non-tenant is someone who lives on your property but does not pay rent or have an oral or written lease agreement. If someone is paying rent or has a written... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Small Claims for New Jersey on
Q: Is there any legal action I can take against my uncle for giving money from my savings to my mother without my consent?

My uncle was left in charge of a savings account for me from my grandparents. I was told that I would not be able to have access to it until I turn 25. My mother is an addict and begged him for the money from my savings and he deposited it into her account without my consent. I'm not sure if... View More

Teresa L. Reichek
Teresa L. Reichek
answered on Mar 8, 2024

It would depend on the amount of money you are talking about. If you are under 128 then you should have your legal guardian take action. If you are 18 or older you could start with a complaint for theft with the local police department. If it is a large sum, you should contact the county... 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 Family Law, Tax Law, Municipal Law and Real Estate Law for New Jersey on
Q: How do property taxes work on unregistered houses on one piece of land in Puerto Rico through inheritance?

My grandfather has past away leaving my grandmother as sole owner of the land with the main house being registered and current with property taxes. There are three siblings my mother, a middle brother (who sadly also past), and a younger brother. The younger brother convinced my grandfather when he... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 28, 2024

In Puerto Rico, property taxes are assessed by the Municipal Revenue Collections Center (CRIM). When a house on a piece of land isn't registered with CRIM, it can indeed lead to complications, including the potential for back taxes once the property is properly reported. Given that your... 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

Q: Is Abuse and Exploitation, identity theft, financial abuse, physical and emotional abuse fall under white collar crime?

My current guardian has abused her placement by deliberate maltreatment and manipulation of my health using my mental health against me. Guardian has been taking advantage of me, my entire life as a person for her personal gain and control. She assaulted me with a broom. Then she admitted in open... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

Yes, many of the actions you described, such as identity theft, financial abuse, and tax fraud, can be considered forms of white-collar crime. These crimes typically involve deceit, manipulation, and exploitation for financial gain, often perpetrated by individuals in positions of trust or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Rights for New Jersey on
Q: What can my mother do here?

My sister is in a group home with the state they asked my mom for proof she is her mother she sent all the papers in too the place the lady asked for this women haven't called my mother back in almost 3 months and that's how long she haven't talked too her daughter it's so... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

Your mother should take immediate action to address this concerning situation. First, she should try contacting the group home again and request to speak with the person who initially asked for proof of her relationship with your sister. It's essential to remain calm and assertive during this... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for New Jersey on
Q: I want to know if I can gift my car and IRA account to my disabled child without a penalty from medicaid.

I read that this is possible and would like to know how to do it.

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

The car is easy. Just transfer the title to your child, but only do this if your child is capable of managing a car. If he/she is not, then see an estate planning attorney about other options.

The IRA is not so easy. If you cash out the IRA and retitle it to your child, that will be a...
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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 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

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

In order to file for a modification or change to a preexisting custody order, the moving party needs to demonstrate that circumstances have changed since the prior order and that the current custody/parenting time schedule is no longer in the child's best interests. Depending on the facts 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

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
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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, 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.

Leonard R. Boyer
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answered on Jan 27, 2024

Realistically it does not seem appropriate. This is all the more reason not to drop the TRO. Presumably, there will be a divorce (if you are married). In 39 years of practice representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants, I have never made or seen any other attorney make a monetary offer to drop a... 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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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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