Can a Child’s Preference Affect Custody in New Jersey? What Parents Should Know
Yes, a child’s preference can affect custody in New Jersey. They cannot decide for themselves. There is no age when a child suddenly gets to choose and a judge can rule against what the child wants. However, since January 2026, if a judge does this, they must explain why in writing. New Jersey Looks at… Read more
How Does a Parent’s Work Schedule Affect Child Custody in New Jersey?
A demanding job will not cost you custody in New Jersey. However, it will get a close look. Judges want to know who is actually available for the child during school nights, on snow days, or during fevers at 2 a.m. Your work schedule is a big part of the answer to this question. Employment… Read more
How Does a Marital Settlement Agreement Work in an Uncontested Divorce?
Signing a marital settlement agreement is the moment when an uncontested divorce is actually resolved. Everything before that point is preparation, and everything after it is paperwork. Once both spouses have signed, the agreement becomes a private contract that a judge incorporates into the final judgment of divorce, and it cannot generally be rewritten later… Read more
Common Mistakes to Avoid During a New Jersey Divorce
New Jersey will not refund your filing fee or reset the clock because your paperwork was filed a few weeks too early. These errors are rarely noticed until months later, when a custody order needs to be enforced or a settlement looks lopsided suddenly. Filing Before You Meet the Residency Requirement New Jersey requires that… Read more
How Does Filing for Divorce With Children Work in New Jersey?
New Jersey rewrote its custody statute in January 2026. The change landed hardest on parents just starting a divorce. Old policy language promising “frequent and continuous contact” for children with both parents has gone. Safety is now the first thing a judge considers before the broader best interests analysis begins. Residency and Grounds Come First… Read more
Does Adultery Affect Divorce or Alimony in New Jersey?
Proving that your spouse has cheated will not increase your alimony in most New Jersey divorces. It rarely changes the way property is divided, and it almost never affects custody. New Jersey courts treat alimony as a financial remedy, not a moral judgment. This surprises most people who come in for their first consultation with… Read more
Child Custody in New Jersey: What Parents Need to Know Before Going to Court
New Jersey rewrote its custody law in January 2026. The change works against parents who come unprepared. Judges no longer start from the presumption that both parents get equal time. Child safety comes first. If you are heading towards a custody dispute, rules you heard from a friend’s case a few years ago may not… Read more
Legal Separation vs. Divorce in New Jersey: What’s the Difference?
New Jersey does not offer legal separation for married couples. This surprises many people. Most states have a formal “separated-but-married” status. New Jersey, at least, does not have this for spouses. Instead, what it offers looks similar on paper, but works very differently. Choosing the wrong path can cost you money, benefits, and time. New… Read more
Common Myths About Spousal Support
Most people going through a divorce have at least one incorrect belief about how spousal support works in New Jersey. This misconception can cost them – either by leading them to accept less than they are entitled to, or by causing them to demand something that the law simply will not provide. Alimony in New… Read more