When networking or meeting with a potential client, I am often asked: “Why should I hire you?” Most people think that more experience is always better and, at first blush, that makes sense. After all, if I were having surgery, I’d certainly want to go under the knife with a credentialed surgeon instead of a
Terms Reached in Mediation Are Not Enforceable Without a Signed Agreement
In the recent unpublished (non-precedential) decision of Mathurin v. Matrhurin, the Appellate Division again confirmed that (1) agreements reached in mediation are not binding unless the terms are reduced to a writing signed by the parties and, ostensibly, their attorneys if present, and (2) absent such a writing, the court cannot consider discussions, unsigned
New Published (Precedential) New Jersey Appellate Division Decision Confirms that all Custody and Parenting Time Decisions Are Created Equal
In a new, published (precedential) decision, J.G. v. J.H., Judge Koblitz, of the Appellate Division confirmed and explicitly held what we all should have known before: No matter what type of case, the same rules apply with respect to discovery and investigation, and the trial court judge is under the same obligation to apply
The New Year’s Resolution Divorce
For many divorce attorneys, the busy season starts after the first of the year. For the last several years, I have posted on the phenomenon of the New Year’s Resolution Divorce. For whatever reason, this post has struck a chord and has been both well received and cited by other bloggers. As such, given that
A New Jersey Divorced Parent’s Guide to Paying for College
With the costs of college ballooning out of control, determining which of the divorced parents will pay for what percentage of a child or the children’s college has evolved into high stakes litigation that is on par with questions such as equitable distribution and alimony. With the federal tax law changes regarding deductability and taxability
Opposing an Application to Modify or Terminate Alimony Upon Retirement? Be Ready to Address Your Ability to Have Saved Adequately for Retirement.
In the wake of the September 10, 2014 amendments to N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23, the legislature clarified the circumstances under which an alimony payor’s obligation can be modified or terminated due to the obligor’s intended or actual retirement. Under the statute as amended, when faced with an obligor’s application to modify or terminate alimony due to good
Don’t Expect Opposing Counsel To Control the Unreasonable Client
We have all seen cases where one of the parties is unreasonable if not out of control. I am not talking about taking a hard of aggressive legal position. I am not talking about taking an aggressive if not unreasonable settlement position – at least to start. I am talking about a client that refuses
Be Prepared For the Storm
There has been a lot of talk about the lack of preparedness for last week’s snow storm that left many people stranded in traffic for hours trying to get home. While many have argued, perhaps rightly, that the storm turned out being much worse the forecast, at the end of the day, as with many
Thanksgiving Top 5 List
It’s the Thursday before Thanksgiving and you’re getting divorced… tough as it may sound, it’s important to put down your pad and pen, eat some Turkey (tofurkey works, too) and remember what you have to be thankful for. Here’s a Top 5 for a little chuckle:
- You will get divorced… For some that day may
Making a House a Home for Custody Jurisdiction
In our ever-changing society that is becoming more transient as we modernize, it’s important to remember time requirements for a state to establish jurisdiction over a child should you find yourself in need of a custody determination after residing across state lines. 
In the reported decision of P.H. v. L.W., the parties met in