In a landmark decision this week, the U.S. Supreme Court passed down a ruling that would give gay couples in state-sanctioned marriages the same federal rights and protection given to traditional married couples. This ruling overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), signed into law by Pres. Bill Clinton in…
Memorial Day has passed, temperatures are rising and the school year is rapidly coming to an end. This is the time of year when attention turns to summer vacations and, for many, that means taking to the water. Whether you plan to enjoy the beach, a lakeside resort or your…
What started as a celebration ended in potentially serious consequences for a Lebanon Borough couple on May 17. Police, responding to a noise complaint, charged the couple with serving alcohol to minors after it was discovered that the approximately 40 party-goers included an undisclosed number of underage persons.(1) Under New…
The engagement ring has long been a symbol of a couple’s intention to wed. But what happens to that ring if the engagement is broken? It was recently reported that a New York City man filed a suit against his ex-fiancé, a Hillsborough, N.J., resident, claiming she refused to return…
When contemplating divorce, one of the first issues to be handled, after custody, is the distribution of marital assets. What some people fail to do adequately, however, is address the issue of joint debt that has accumulated during their years together. Failure to take care of debt and credit issues…
The State Assembly currently is considering legislation to end permanent alimony and clarify the guidelines under which other forms of alimony are awarded. (1) In New Jersey, there are four main variations of alimony that can be awarded upon the end of a marriage or civil union: limited duration alimony,…
By now, all year-end tax records have been received and people are busy preparing tax returns for filing by April 15. Earlier this year, changes were made to the tax code which could affect many people, especially those in the process of divorce. On January 1 the American Taxpayer Relief…
Valentine’s Day focuses on love, and with love in the air, many couples begin to plan their next step – marriage. Today it is not unusual for couples to consider drafting prenuptial agreements before they tie the knot. A common myth surrounding prenuptial agreements is that only the rich benefit…
If you are a parent or guardian of a teenager between the ages of 13 to 17 who has committed a minor legal infraction, help may be available thanks to the Hunterdon County early intervention program announced the 14th of January this year by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office. After…
A New Jersey appeals court recently ruled that the State was not obligated to provide counsel to either plaintiffs or defendants for hearings on restraining orders resulting from acts of domestic violence. (1) The U.S. Constitution provides all citizens with the right to counsel, whether or not they can afford…
