In New Jersey, someone other than a child’s biological parent can be responsible for making child support payments.
Specifically, under the doctrine of equitable estoppel, persons who are not the natural parents may have an obligation to support those children as to which they are in loco parentis. Ross v. Ross, 126 N.J.Super 394 (J. & D.R. Ct. 1972).
The Star-Ledger reported yesterday that former New Jersey Governor, James E. McGreevey, who is in the midst of a divorce, has included among his request for relief the sole custody of the parties’ five year old daughter, Jacqueline. http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-11/11737647504550.xml&coll=1
The amended complaint seeks child support and provides Dina Matos McGreevey, the mother and soon-to-be ex-spouse, with visitation rights.
Presently, Governor McGreevey lives with his partner, Mark O’Donnell.
DISSIPATION OF MARITAL PROPERTY
One party may anticipate the marriage is failing, that divorce is imminent, and attempt to spend down marital assets. To that end, the wronged party may find themself in a position to receive little or nothing because of the ill will of the other party.
Similar to underemployment, the Courts will examine the circumstances surrounding the event. The party who has depleted assets will have to show the expenditure was for the joint marital venture and was not done to intentionally deprive the other spouse of equitable distribution.
The question ultimately to be answered in determining whether there has been a dissipation of marital property is whether assets were expended by one spouse with intent of diminishing the other spouse’s share of marital estate.
Grandparents will only be given visitation against the wishes of a parent if they can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that such visitation is necessary to avoid harm to the child. Moriarty v. Bradt, 177 N.J. 84, 114-15 (2003).
The New Jersey legislature is joining other northeastern states in how it handles family law matters. Within the last few months, not only has New Jersey passed a civil union statute, but it has added irreconcilable differences to its causes of action for divorce.
It has always been that a person wanting a divorce had to establish fault, or live separate from their spouse for 18 months to be granted a no-fault divorce. Now, the legislature has created a new no-fault cause of action, without the 18 month requirement- irreconcilable differences.
New Jersey joined the company of Connecticut and Vermont when it passed a Bill legalizing civil unions.
See http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/index.html?civilunionact.htm~mainFrame
See http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/index.html?civilunionact.htm~mainFrame
The requirements for the dissolution of a civil union are quite similar to those for marriages.
On February 19, 2007, N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2.1 came into effect, providing the state with a list of grounds acceptable for dissolution of civil unions.
On or about February 1, 2007, Actress Anne Heche was served with divorce papers from her husband of over five years, cameraman and “stay-at-home dad”, Coley Laffoon, who filed “irreconcilable differences”. However, it has been reported, but not confirmed, that the split was due to a budding relationship with Ms. Heche’s “Men in Trees” costar, James Tupper.
Shortly after the distressing news of Anna Nicole Smith’s demise, the fight for baby Dannielynn continued on a shocking upward spiral. The potential father list has risen from two to five!
As previously known, Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead were the alleged contenders. The paternity test was postponed from January until February 2007.
However, a strange turn of events has since occurred. Two additional men are contending to be Dannielynn’s father; the bodyguard, Alex Denk, and the prince/Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husband, Prince Frederick Von Anhalt. Additionally, Ms. Smith’s sister alleged Ms. Smith had her late 89-year old husband/billionaire oilman, J. Howard Marshall’s sperm frozen, which has been added to the equation.
After seven years of marriage, Actress, Laura Jeanne “Reese Witherspoon” filed for divorce from Actor, Matthew “Ryan Phillippe” on November 8, 2006, on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences”. However, it has been circulated Mr. Phillippe had an affair with a co-star, was excessively partying, and indulged in drugs.
Ms. Witherspoon is seeking primary physical custody of their two children (mentioned below), with visitation rights to Mr. Phillippe, and sole use of the family residence. She asks the Court that Mr. Phillippe be denied spousal support. [Ms. Witherspoon is represented by Robert Kaufman.] 
So, you are in the middle of a divorce and you think your spouse is cheating on you….should you start snooping about your spouse’s belongings? Perhaps you have the sudden urge to go through your spouse’s email….can you do this? The computer was purchased during the marriage and belongs to the both of you. The internet service is paid from joint accounts. Why wouldn’t you be able to view your spouse’s email?
A recent New Jersey Law Journal article addresses just this issue, Beware the Smoking E-mail, Darren M. Gelber, 11-13-2006. http://www.law.com/jsp/nj/index.jsp
New Jersey Family Law Blog