When meeting with a new client whose spouse has cheated on them, the anger, sadness, sense of loss and betrayal is often palpable. They are quite often resolute that they
Continue Reading YOU CHEATED, YOU LIED, THE COURT SAYS "WHATEVER"
Adultery
Marital Fault: A Factor in Awarding Alimony?
Lately, it seems that wherever you turn, well-known personalities, whether they be athletes or entertainers, are entering sexual rehabilitation The question arises as to whether extra-marital sex can be converted into dollars by the offended spouse, that is, is there some theory by which compensation might be grounded.
The answer in New Jersey, perhaps, can be found in the case of Mani v. Mani, 183 N.J. 70 (2005), written by the well-respected Justice Virginia Long — a justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court who had a wealth of experience both on the trial bench in handling matrimonial matters as well as on the Appellate Division before being elevated to the State’s highest court. In that case, the issue was simply whether marital fault could be considered a factor in awarding alimony. We start from the theoretical position that the statute on alimony identifies fault as a factor. (Note that that was a left over from the time before the Divorce Reform Act in 1971 when the only grounds for divorce were based on fault. Since then, of course, several no-fault grounds have been added to the point being that most cases are now granted under irreconcilable differences) The practical question is simply to what extent will courts utilize fault as a factor in contested cases?
From 1971 and up until Mani, courts were reluctant to become enmeshed in time consuming tit-for-tat testimony which would essentially have no effect upon the outcome in any event. That attitude was resoundingly continued in Mani that alimony is not fault t based, but instead, an economic right of support arising out of the marital relationship to the extent of the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage. It is only where marital fault affects the economic status quo of the parties can a trial court take such fault into financial consideration.…
Continue Reading Marital Fault: A Factor in Awarding Alimony?
Social Networking Sites – What You Say May Be Used Against You
In reading an article today from the New York Times entitled, Rise in Divorce Evidence from Social Websites, I was intrigued at how rapidly changing technology places a microscope…
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On Tiger, “Indiscretions,” “Infidelities” And So On – All of the Gossip Gives Rise to a Great Law School Exam Question
I have blogged several times about the celebrity divorces that have been in the news, from John & Kate, to Christie Brinkley, to Stephanie Seymour, to Jim Nantz, to the McCourts who own the LA Dodgers and others.
Every day for the last few weeks, Tiger Woods has been front page news regarding what he first called "indiscretions" and now calls "infidelity." We have heard in the news about potential sweeteners to his prenuptial agreement if his wife stays, to rumors that she will leave him and so on . Obviously, since the information from Tiger and his wife is limited, people are left to speculate and gossip.
As a New Jersey Divorce Lawyer, the best that I can offer is to give some comments on how New Jersey divorce and family law would apply to the facts (hypothetical, speculation or true facts that have been reported).
In New Jersey, marital fault is largely irrelevant except in limited circumstances. Though not particularly necessary anymore since we have no fault (irreconcilable differences) divorce, the fault ground of adultery can still be plead as a divorce cause of action. That said, receiving a divorce based on adultery does not get you anything more financially.…
Read Mark Ashton’s Excellent Post Entitled “I Want You To Show How Awful She Is”
Mark Ashton, a partner in our Exton (Chester County), Pennsylvania office and the editor of our Pennsylvania Family Law Blog, wrote an excellent post entitled “I Want You To Show…
Continue Reading Read Mark Ashton’s Excellent Post Entitled “I Want You To Show How Awful She Is”