Custody

Mr. Ngoze was an elementary school vice-principal at a Catholic elementary school. He had held the position for the past six years and had received stellar reviews from the staff, the parents and the students loved him. Last year, just before Christmas, Mr. Ngoze’s daughter, Osumba, seemed sad at school. When her teacher asked her why, she was reluctant to…Read More

You know what I think? I think for the sake of the children, the courts should stop requiring parties who share children to get along with each other! It seems obvious to me that when parties divorce, it is for a reason. Usually, that reason is one of them has grown weary of the other whom they view as narcissistic,…Read More

Public policy as established by the New Jersey legislature favors joint legal custody and shared parenting. The policy is based on the idea that both parents have an equal right to love and care for their children. More importantly, children are generally best when they have the emotional support and the ongoing involvement of both parents. Most parents have the…Read More

Contrary to popular belief, the most difficult part of getting divorced is not dividing up your assets. Instead, it is splitting up your family. In New Jersey, there are specific laws that help couples divide up the house and the 401(k) account, but when it comes to awarding custody to one parent or another, the law directs the courts to…Read More

Following is a list of destructive remarks that children don’t ever need to hear. If you find yourself saying words like these, stop and think about how they might affect your children. All of these remarks raise fear and anxiety, and are hurtful to your children. 1. If you don’t behave, I’ll send you to live with your father. 2.…Read More

In 1969, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross published her ground-breaking book On Death and Dying. It was one of the first books ever written to help medical professionals figure out how to work with and help terminally ill patients. In the book, Kübler-Ross identifies five stages of grief that patients and their families go through: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. As…Read More

Your children know when their parents are not getting along. They sense the tension in their parent’s relationship. They are battling a wave of emotions including anger, fear of the present and fear of the future. So, it is important that you talk to them about a pending divorce despite the discomfort and pain that you are feeling. Talking to…Read More

Your ability to get alimony depends on your individual situation. Alimony is rooted in the notion that marriage is a partnership and upon marriage, each party contributes to the benefit of the other and of the marriage whether both work outside the home, or one works in the home and cares for the children. Alimony is not a punishment or…Read More

My wife and I have been having problems and have discussed divorce. We agreed to stay together to try to work things out. She had planned to go to California long before our problems to visit her mother. She has extended her ticket twice and will be gone a month instead of a week. Can she keep my kids in…Read More

Cleo and I went out for a month or so. The next thing I know, she says I am her baby’s father! Should I put my name on the birth certificate? In New Jersey, the rule is clear and certain. Parents must support their children from the day they are born until they are at least 18 years old. Therefore,…Read More