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New Jersey Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Military Law and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Who determines child support through college when parents live in different states?

I was divorced in New Jersey, but I am now living in Pennsylvania as the custodial parent. The existing child support provisions are based on New Jersey state law. My children are 19 and 16, and the 19-year-old is enrolled full-time in college. There have been court order changes since the... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 24, 2025

Your question is covered by the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) since it addresses the issue of a form of child support - college contribution. The issue is whether as a result of your move to Penn, does Penn law now apply to the issue of contribution for college, since the laws in... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Ex spouse lives in different state ( Illinois) from where divorce was made(. Ohio) and I’m located in New Jersey.

How and what do I do to enforce the settlement.

Valerie Hemhauser
Valerie Hemhauser pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 23, 2025

Under the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act (UEFJA), to enforce the terms of a settlement from an out of state divorce judgment you’ll first need to domesticate (legally recognize) the Ohio judgment in Illinois where the obligor/ offending party resides. After this is done you can... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Ex spouse lives in different state ( Illinois) from where divorce was made(. Ohio) and I’m located in New Jersey.

How and what do I do to enforce the settlement.

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 23, 2025

It depends on the issue outstanding. If the issue has to do with enforcement of child support or custody / parenting time, there are uniform laws applicable to determine which state has jurisdiction. If the issue has to do with equitable distribution, that is different issue and different rules... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: How is pension divided in NJ after 50-year marriage with pre-marriage degree and district-paid courses?

I am a retired teacher in New Jersey and have been married for 50 years. I earned my degree before the marriage, and the district paid for additional courses, which added to my pension. How is my pension divided during a divorce, considering these factors?

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 19, 2025

Lets start with the fact that you were married for 50 year and presumably, 100% of your employment as a teacher occurred during your marriage. As to your education prior to your 50 years of marriage, its meaningless as to how a judge will divide up the pension benefits. As to your educational... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence, Divorce, Employment Law and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Options to reverse or drop an FRO affecting my job and benefits in NJ?

I have had a Final Restraining Order (FRO) against me by my wife for 35 days during an ongoing 8-month divorce process. I am a law enforcement officer with 9 years of experience and the primary health insurance provider for my family. I received the FRO after a TRO hearing regarding turning off her... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 15, 2025

Anyone telling you that you are going to get a Carfagno hearing on dismissal of the FRO against you in the past year is pulling your leg or worse. What I dont understand is why are you telling me about the underlying reason for the issuance of the FRO (turning off her cell phone)?

You went...
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3 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence, Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can I get a restraining order against my son's father and grandmother after they harmed my son?

I have a restraining order against my son's father since 2018. During recent parenting time, my mentally disabled 9-year-old son was strangled, punched, and beaten. His grandmother, who supervises visits, claimed she did this while trying to get him in the car. I called the police and have... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Apr 3, 2025

You have the right to proceed with claims through DCPP, criminal prosecution through the local / county prosecutor's office, and through the court system using New Jersey's child abuse statutes - 9:6-1 - 9:6-3 & 2C:24-4.

Given what occurred, you "may" also be able...
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3 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence, Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can I get a restraining order against my son's father and grandmother after they harmed my son?

I have a restraining order against my son's father since 2018. During recent parenting time, my mentally disabled 9-year-old son was strangled, punched, and beaten. His grandmother, who supervises visits, claimed she did this while trying to get him in the car. I called the police and have... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 3, 2025

You can certainly press criminal charges against both parties. Whether or not you can obtain a restraining order against the grandmother requires more facts. You may be able to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on your own. Then if you get the TRO, you will need to retain an experienced... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Who gets the proceeds from the sale of the house in a divorce when initial purchase was from one spouse’s funds?

I'm seeking guidance on the equitable distribution of marital property during a divorce. My spouse and I lived together for three years before purchasing a house using money from my bank account, with the title initially solely in my name. We got married two years later and, seven years... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Mar 29, 2025

The easy answer is that you should meet with a divorce lawyer for a consultation to discuss all of the issues outstanding in your matter BUT, without knowing anything more, candidly, you will lose this argument before a judge and the proceeds will be divided equally.

Here are several...
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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I need to sell my house but my ex is giving me a hard time on this. We were instructed to put it in market in January .

I need to sell my house but my ex is giving me a hard time on this. We were instructed to put it in market in January on the divorce decree but it’s been months now and she won’t leave. She had an apartment but decided to move back into the house back in December with my daughter.

Valerie Hemhauser
Valerie Hemhauser pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 20, 2025

A motion to compel the sale of a house post-divorce, when ordered by the court, is typically filed when one party fails to comply with the terms of the divorce decree regarding the sale of jointly owned property. The court has the authority to enforce the sale through such a motion, ensuring that... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: I need to sell my house but my ex is giving me a hard time on this. We were instructed to put it in market in January .

I need to sell my house but my ex is giving me a hard time on this. We were instructed to put it in market in January on the divorce decree but it’s been months now and she won’t leave. She had an apartment but decided to move back into the house back in December with my daughter.

Elena K. Weitz
Elena K. Weitz
answered on Mar 20, 2025

Hello, that is definitely frustrating but you do have options you can take legally. One option is to file a motion with the court for enforcement of your divorce agreement as it relates to the sale of the house. You can compel her to cooperate with the sale and even establish repercussions for... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Gov & Administrative Law and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can I sue for breach of confidentiality for a child abuse report in NJ?

I reported my son to Child Protection Services in Hackensack, New Jersey, on December 7th for suspicion of child abuse. They disclosed my identity to him and in court papers, despite being told that my report would be confidential. Since then, my son has not allowed me to see my grandson and has... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Mar 4, 2025

As a general statement, when someone makes a claim of child abuse to DCPP, it is viewed as confidential. I'm not sure what occurred in your setting and whether the DCPP rep actually told your son that you had reported him, or if your son guessed the reporting came from you and you then... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for New Jersey on
Q: 40 year old pays no board and trashes home

can i sue to make him pay and get out?

Matthew Schutz
Matthew Schutz
answered on Feb 5, 2025

The short answer is yes. For the purposes of the answer I am assuming the person involved pays no rent and never has. You would need to file an action called and ejectment. And ejectment is used for trespassers, guests who have worn out their welcome, and similar people. If the person is pay the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: What an email service provider is issued a court order to produce deleted emails what happens next?

I'm in NJ and about to start a divorce action as my wife was having an affair with a married man and much of their communications was done using email according to her. She has given me some of those emails, but there are many more which are now deleted. I understand that I must prove that the... View More

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 14, 2025

You need to retain an experienced matrimonial attorney to represent you in this matter. In New Jersey the grounds for divorce have no effect at all on the economic issues or property issues. But if you can prove or provide your attorney with proof that your not yet ex-spouse is actually living with... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Immigration Law for New Jersey on
Q: I want to apply for my spouses green card we aren't living together because I am in school but can prove that should we?

I am currently a full time student and am enrolled in university just married my gf of 3 years and want to file for her I have affidavit of support with a financial co sponsor and proof such as letters texts pictures videos marriage certificate pictures of ceremony opening a bank account soon is... View More

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Jan 29, 2025

Yes, even though you are not living together, you can still sponsor your girlfriend after marriage for a green card. You would need to explain in writing exactly what your circumstances are that precludes you from living together. It appears that based on your fact pattern that you have a... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Immigration Law for New Jersey on
Q: I want to apply for my spouses green card we aren't living together because I am in school but can prove that should we?

I am currently a full time student and am enrolled in university just married my gf of 3 years and want to file for her I have affidavit of support with a financial co sponsor and proof such as letters texts pictures videos marriage certificate pictures of ceremony opening a bank account soon is... View More

Glendia  Del Evans
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Glendia Del Evans
answered on Jan 29, 2025

Yes, you are eligible to apply. Living together is not the only way to demonstrate a bona fide, good-faith marriage. I have successfully handled hundreds of cases where spouses live apart due to work, school, or other circumstances.

If you have been married for less than two years at the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for New Jersey on
Q: How to relinquish parental rights and not pay child support?
Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Dec 18, 2024

There are settings where one parent is willing to release the other parent from financial responsibility for the support of their child in exchange for the other parent's termination of relationship with the child (generally, when the other parent has a longer-term relationship, and that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Animal / Dog Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Domestic Violence for New Jersey on
Q: In Huson, County N.J. how can some desperate person make up a story that they live with you....without any form of proof

get a T.R.O on you and have me the homeowner (Disabled on a fixed income) removed from my home and put to the streets with nowhere to go while escorting this stranger into your home, granting all access to all your family valuables and private documents, the entire contents of your home as well as... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Dec 13, 2024

I have no idea what happened to you but to have you removed from your home under a domestic violence temporary restraining order, the person had to appear before a local municipal court judge or a superior court judge and certify as to as specific facts, starting with the representation that he /... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New Jersey on
Q: If I live in an inherited property w/ my husband & then sell & buy a new property, does my husband have claim if divorce

Property is in Nj and was inherited before meeting husband. Would be buying in either FL or PA in cash in just my name.

LaDonna M. Cousins
LaDonna M. Cousins
answered on Dec 11, 2024

To ensure the asset is separate and to protect it from any claims that could be made, consider entering into a Post-Nuptial Agreement. The Post-Nuptial Agreement can confirm that it is both of your intention to keep your inherited property as well as any subsequent asset you purchase or acquire... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for New Jersey on
Q: If you have a 30 year old restraining order can you adopt a grandchild

Both girls were removed almost 2 years ago one of them is with the biological father the 2 year old is being bounced around and I her biological grandmother would like to have her here in Florida but my husband has these two thirty year old restraining orders . Can I still get her?

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Dec 11, 2024

It would be irresponsible for any family law attorney to give you a suggested answer to your question without a whole lot more information, especially since you said that you live in Florida and presumably the grandchildren live in New Jersey.

My suggestion is that you schedule a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Banking and Divorce for New Jersey on
Q: Can a PoD designation ever be reversed or nullified in the state of New Jersey? If so, how?

My sister recently died in a nursing care facility in NJ. Her husband deserted her two years previous and because of the uninhabitable state of the rented marital home that the landlord did not repair as well as her illnesses, she had to move to a facility. She could not drive or operate a... View More

Richard Diamond
Richard Diamond
answered on Dec 4, 2024

Depending on the status of the divorce matter, there may be a proper basis to undo his receipt of monies in her accounts but im not sure that the process and expense will be worth it, given the cost of retaining counsel, review of the status of the divorce matter, etc to justify the payment of a... View More

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