After a New Jersey entry of a judgment of adoption, the adoptee receives a new birth certificate with the adoptive parents' names. The original birth certificate is sealed and becomes a permanent part of the adoptee's confidential file. The adoptive parents then have...
Family Law
How do prenuptial and postnuptial agreements differ?
Many couples in New Jersey might consider drafting a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement to protect their assets. These legal documents are very similar but differ at the same time. Understanding prenuptial and postnuptial agreements A prenuptial agreement is a formal...
Domestic violence affects custody decisions
Domestic violence represents a serious and dangerous situation in the family home. Spouses who suffer from physical and mental abuse may file for divorce to protect themselves and their children. New Jersey divorce proceedings could become complicated when the...
Co-parenting issues with a narcissist
Some wonder why narcissists behave the way they do, and others spend so much time dealing with direct conflicts with such troubled people that they have no time to reflect. Persons married to a narcissist might feel so overwhelmed and emotionally drained, they simply...
What a final divorce decree means to you
Divorce can take a toll on a person even in the best of circumstances. There are a lot of things to deal with, and one can only hope for the process to be over. When this time comes, the New Jersey court will issue a final divorce decree. Here's what this document...
How courts determine child support for joint custody agreements
Joint custody is the shared legal or physical custody of children after parents divorce or separate. Parents who have joint custody share the responsibilities of making parenting decisions and providing care. It's essential for parents to understand how their custody...
How alimony may impact a mortgage application
The fact that you make or receive alimony payments may play a role in determining whether you are approved for a mortgage in New Jersey. If you receive alimony payments, they may be counted as income if certain conditions are met. If you are the one making these...
What are the “best interests of the child?”
Divorce negotiations and settlement agreements involve more than financial decisions. A New Jersey family court may also rule on child custody. Whether deciding on joint or sole custody, the court looks at the best interests of the child. The divorcing spouses,...
Which is right for you: prenup or postnup?
Prenups and postnups are marital agreements that couples in New Jersey can use to protect assets in case of divorce or to preserve legal inheritances. These agreements are often developed to establish the terms of the marriage. They set clear expectations for both...
What is the difference between joint custody and sole custody?
If you're going through a custody battle in the state of New Jersey, it's important that you understand the different types of child custody available to you. The most commonly talked about types of custody are sole legal custody and joint legal custody. In a...