Parties who enter into an agreement regarding alimony or child support may seek judicial review or modification of such based upon a showing of “changed circumstances.” The party seeking to reduce an alimony or...
A woman filed for divorce in New Jersey in July of 2012. The trial court dismissed her complaint because she was not a bona fide residence of New Jersey for one year before she filed her complaint and alternatively...
Cohabitation and the New Alimony Statute
Jan 23, 2016
In 2014, the Legislature extensively revised the alimony statute, N.J.S.A. 2A:3-23. In pertinent part, the law now provides that “[a]limony may be suspended or terminated if the payee cohabits with another...
According to the Grandparent Visitation Statute, N.J.S.A. 9:2-7.1, a grandparent or sibling of a child may file an application to obtain visitation with the child and it is their burden to prove by a preponderance of the...
Just Because Son Doesn’t Talk to Dad, That Doesn’t Mean Dad is Off the Hook for College Expenses
Jan 06, 2016
An estranged parent is not necessarily exempt from contributing towards the costs of his or her child’s college education. In Laurel v. Dixon, the recently-estranged father of a 21-year-old college student wished...
Although Separated, a Couple Remained Legally Married Until Divorce, and the Husband Paid for It
Jan 05, 2016
Three kids and thirteen years later, a couple who got married in 1991 separated in 2004. However, the wife did not file her complaint for divorce until 2012, and the Manahan v. Manahan divorce was finalized in...
Dad Who Racked Up Child Support Over Payments Allowed to Pay Less Until His Credit is Depleted
Dec 31, 2015
Among many issues brought to the court’s attention after a couple’s 2008 divorce was the father’s child support obligation. But unlike many other former couples’ child support issues, this one in Mistretta...
The New Jersey Appellate Division recently upheld a trial judge’s decision in Watley v. Watley. A 50-year-old man married a 19-year-old woman in 1998 after meeting her in the Philippines. The man did not...
The FDA is concerned about the serious consequences that inaccurate medical tests have had on tens of thousands of patients. In some instances, these unreliable tests have prompted unnecessary treatments. In...
A technician dissected a medical scope manufactured by Olympus after 22 patients in a Netherlands hospital became sick from its use, the Los Angeles Times reported. Olympus holds 85 percent of the U.S....
In the midst of a contentious divorce in D.J. v. S.J., a wife obtained a final restraining order (FRO) against her soon-to-be ex-husband after he allegedly assaulted her. During their divorce, the parties’ real...
FDA Trying To Ban Minors From Using Tanning Beds
Dec 28, 2015
The FDA is trying to protect individuals under age 18 from dangerous skin damage. A 2013 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 1.6 million teenagers per year use indoor tanning. It seems that teenagers do...
Aunt Did Not Neglect or Abuse Her Nephew by Failing to Check Him into Mental Health Clinic
Dec 23, 2015
Last week, the New Jersey Appellate Division reversed the trial court’s ruling in New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency v. K.J. that the aunt and legal guardian of an emotionally disturbed...
Crib Bumpers Are Killing Babies
Dec 23, 2015
Crib bumpers, a padding that goes in a baby’s crib, are thought to protect a baby from bumping his/her head against the crib rails. But the risk of a bruise on the baby’s head without the padding is nothing compared...
Boston Scientific Corporation issued yet another emergency recall on one of its products. The device, called a Chariot sheath, has only been on the market since the FDA approved it in June. It is typically used to...
Boston Scientific Corporation is the manufacturer of “Rotablator,” a system that opens narrow arteries by cutting plaque from the artery walls, improving blood flow to the heart. After its product malfunctioned and...
Many people would agree that a mother should not use drugs, and any detection of drugs in her system could impact her children. But what if there is no evidence that she uses drugs around her children? Does that...
Dad Should Not Have to Both Provide Health Insurance for Son AND Pay Mother for Son’s Health Insurance
Dec 15, 2015
This week, the New Jersey Appellate Division reversed the lower court judge’s ruling in Bennett v. Alviggi. Upon their divorce in 2006, a couple agreed in their marital settlement agreement that the father would...
Ex-Wife Didn’t Take Ex-Husband’s Name Off the Mortgage – After Hurting His Credit, She Has to Sell the House
Dec 01, 2015
Nowadays, it is fairly common for one spouse to remain in the marital home after a divorce. Usually, the spouse who keeps the house is required to refinance the mortgage so that it is in his or her name only. But...
New Jersey Keeps Jurisdiction Over Parenting Time, No Matter How Many Times Mom Tries to Switch It to California
Nov 24, 2015
A former couple, long since divorced, has two teenage sons. At the time of their divorce, both parents in Craft v. Bugbee hired attorneys and negotiated a Parenting Time Agreement (PTA). Among many other...
