With the growing acceptance of surrogacy, same-sex marriage and unwed relationships, the definition of family is not so simple these days. There was a time when family meant mother, father and children; today there are not only biological parents, but surrogate mothers, adoptive parents, and even psychological parents. This new…
New Jersey Family Law Blog
Has Alimony Reform Act Made It Easier to End Payments?
The New Jersey Alimony Reform Act of 2014 was supposed to have clarified certain matters that existed under the State’s previous alimony laws, including how courts define cohabitation, one of the conditions under which alimony can be terminated. One New Jersey man is now testing whether or not this has been…
When Determining Grandparents’ Rights Courts Consider ‘Best Interest of the Child’
In an ideal world, grandparents and grandchildren share nurturing relationships that can prove beneficial for both generations. Sometimes, however, rifts in the relationship between the grandparents and their own children and/or their children’s spouses can adversely affect the relationship between grandparent and grandchild. In extreme cases, the courts may be…
Teens and Snow Shoveling: A Community Service or a Violation of the Law?
It isn’t unusual in winter to see teenagers shoveling their neighbors’ sidewalks and driveways in exchange for a little extra spending money. In fact, most people would applaud these teens for their hard work. And if they take the initiative to schedule snow removal jobs in response to a snowy…
Do Winter Coats Compromise Car Seat Safety?
For decades now, statistics have shown that it is safer for young children to be in properly sized child safety seats when riding in the car. From time to time, news stories pertaining to car seat safety remind parents to make sure their car seats are properly installed and alert…
Seeking Spousal Support? Here is What You’ll Need
When it comes to divorce, the question of spousal support may be one of the most contentious issues couples can face. Initially there can be two extreme reactions: the spouse who wants a clean break and asks for absolutely nothing from his or her former partner and the spouse who…
Deciding the Fate of Frozen Embryos in the Case of Divorce
For couples coping with fertility issues, in vitro fertilization (IVF) can help dreams come true. IVF is a procedure through which human eggs are fertilized outside of the body and often frozen and stored for future use, making it possible for some couples who had difficulty conceiving to become biological…
Car Seats and Late-Model Cars: Looking for a Proper Fit
Just as New Jersey parents were adapting to new car seat laws that went into effect this past September 1, a new study gives them something else to worry about – does their car seat even fit in their car? The new car seat law, which we reported on here…
Did Marriage Equality Bill Fail to Protect the Children?
When the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision that paved the way for legally-sanctioned, same-sex marriages, it granted couples in those unions equal accessibility to some of the same rights traditional married couples enjoyed. These rights include, but are not limited to, such things health insurance coverage under family…
Special Needs Children Require Special Considerations when Parents Divorce
Divorce affects every family member, but it can be especially difficult for families with special needs children. In the process of obtaining a divorce, couples will also work details involving child custody, visitation and support arrangements. Generally, the best interest of the child is taken into consideration when arriving at…