A New Jersey Law Firm Providing Representation in Ocean, Monmouth, Burlington, Mercer and Middlesex Counties
The Law Firm of Choice
The Law Office of Eric B. Hannum Esq., LLC is the law firm of choice of those in need of strong representation. We welcome many referrals from our peers and clients we have represented successfully in the past. You must have confidence in the legal counsel you choose to represent you. You need a law firm with extensive experience and integrity, with attorneys who are known for professional excellence and highly regarded in the courts.
Whether faced with a divorce, family law issue, or a traffic court appearance, our team is ready to aggressively defend you and your future. Mr. Hannum has gained a reputation for having the skills required in addressing legal issues before prosecutors, at mediation and most importantly, before the court. Our aggressive approach ensures your objectives are met.
Reputable and Published Attorney
Our team represents residents of Ocean, Monmouth, Burlington, Mercer, and Middlesex Counties and communities throughout New Jersey. We have also been recognized for our exemplary work by various legal organizations including AVVO and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys while also being published in New Jersey Lawyer Magazine.
The Law Office of Eric B. Hannum Esq., LLC is committed to helping you navigate the oftentimes complex legal process while resolving your case in a respectful, affordable, and timely manner. Our firm provides aggressive and talented counsel in and out of the courtroom ensuring your best interests and rights are protected.
When facing a legal issue, regardless of how big or small, many individuals feel confused and overwhelmed. Eric B. Hannum and his team will make certain that you receive the personal service and attention required to deal with the critical legal issue you are facing. By listening closely to your needs, desires, and concerns, Mr. Hannum will thoroughly explain the legal process so you can make educated and sound decisions.
Experience With a Range of Legal Issues
The Law Office of Eric B. Hannum Esq., LLC prides itself on the experience and the ability to handle a wide range of legal issues. Mr. Hannum is dedicated to providing the personal attention necessary for developing a legal strategy to meet each client’s unique legal needs. This “depth approach” is especially important because legal matters often involve numerous types of law, and having an attorney familiar with different aspects of the law is crucial to resolving your case, or taking it to trial.
Aggressive and Practical
The office’s goal is to explore the client’s legal issues in an aggressive but practical manner. Our team is always guided by the unique facts of every case while additionally considering the personal issues every client brings to their case and the legal process as a whole. We are also mindful of the underlying economic realities of each client. We believe that our team’s reputation and our respect for the legal profession along with our active involvement in the county bar associations and other professional organizations and our good standing with our peers make us the best choice to provide you with legal representation.
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Representation You Can Trust
New Jersey Attorneys Proudly Serving Ocean, Monmouth, Mercer & Burlington Counties
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Stalking
In New Jersey stalking or N.J.S.A 2C:12-10b is considered a serious offense that can lead to a multitude of penalties. While this crime is serious in nature, there are multiple different components that are needed in order to make up a valid stalking charge. N.J.S.A 2C:12-10b states: “A person is guilty of stalking, a crime […]
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Avoid Injuries this Fall: An Overview of Accidents Types that are More Prevalent in the Fall and Winter
Injuries can happen anywhere. This is especially true of injuries sustained in trip and fall accidents. Although it is important to be vigilant of slip and fall hazards throughout the year, it is also important to be aware of the increased hazards that come with each season. For example, many New Jerseyans spend their summers […]
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What is a Post-Judgment Modification?
A post-judgment modification is just that: a modification to a court order after the order has been finalized by the court. These are not uncommon with divorce cases because the conditions present in child custody, child support, and alimony orders can change in the years following the divorce. Post-judgment modifications do not happen automatically. The […]
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Pain and Suffering. What is It? What is It Not?
When you hear about injury victims seeking compensation for their losses, you probably hear about them seeking compensation for their pain and suffering alongside other damages, like medical bills and lost wages. What is pain and suffering? Unlike the other types of damages an individual may seek after an accident, what actually constitutes “pain and […]
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Dividing Property through Equitable Distribution
In any divorce, the divorcing couple’s jointly-held property needs to be divided among them. A few states take what is known as the community property approach to property distribution, which means that courts divide divorcing couples’ assets among them 50/50. Most states, New Jersey included, take the equitable distribution approach, which does not provide couples […]
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New Jersey’s Point System: A Guide
If you are a licensed New Jersey driver, you are undoubtedly aware of the point system. The point system is a way that the state holds drivers accountable for any moving violations they commit by adding “points” to an individual’s driver’s license when he or she receives a traffic citation. Familiarize yourself with New Jersey’s […]
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Possible Consequences of Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License
An individual’s driver’s license may be suspended for a variety of reasons. Failing to pay his or her child support obligation, being charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), and acquiring too many points on his or her driver’s license are all reasons why the state might opt to suspend an individual’s driving privileges. When your […]
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What is Criminal Mischief?
Criminal mischief can refer to a variety of offenses. Generally, it refers to acts of vandalism and tampering with victims’ property. In New Jersey, criminal mischief can be charged as a disorderly persons offense, a 4th degree crime, or a 3rd degree crime, depending on the monetary value of the property damages or destroyed. Many […]
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Will Infidelity Affect my Divorce Settlement?
You might have heard that committing infidelity will have a negative effect on your ability to seek alimony as part of your divorce settlement or somehow make an impact on your property division. Conversely, you might have been told that if your spouse cheated on you, you can expect a larger share of your marital […]
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Lewdness Charges
The concept of “lewdness” can be difficult for many to grasp. Its technical definition is “a behavior that is crudely sexual in nature,” which can include actions like offensive gestures, certain types of dancing, and commentary made in public. But, as anybody who leaves his or her home is aware, we live in a world […]
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Shoplifting Charges in New Jersey
Shoplifting is a type of theft, just like robbery, fraud, and embezzlement. What sets shoplifting apart from these other types of theft is that it is committed specifically against retailers, rather than against individuals or groups. Because shoplifting is generally a nonviolent type of theft that results in the loss of relatively inexpensive items (generally […]
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Will a Brief Hiatus from College Cause a Child to be Emancipated in New Jersey?
For many New Jersey families, college is seen as the gateway to adulthood. A teenager graduates high school and begins to attend college, whether locally or hundreds of miles away, and he or she ideally gains the maturity and knowledge necessary to function as an independent adult over the next four years. The notion of […]
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What do they Mean when they Say that New Jersey is an Equitable Distribution State and Not a Community Property State?
When it comes to dividing a divorcing couple’s property, there are two ways the court can handle this process: through equitable distribution or through community property rules. Equitable Distribution is Not Equal Distribution Most states, including New Jersey, are equitable distribution states. That means that when couples in these states divorce, their property is not […]
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How Does an Annulment Work in New Jersey when Compared to a Divorce?
When a married couple gets divorced, their marriage is dismantled. This means that the court, recognizing the couple’s legal union and their rights, works to break down the couple’s property according to equitable distribution rules and create a settlement that provides both partners with a fair share of their marital property. In contrast, an annulment […]
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Can I be Legally Separated in New Jersey?
Yes. For some couples, legal separation is the first step in the divorce process. For others, it is a permanent solution for a marriage that can not be fixed. Couples choose legal separation for a variety of reasons. For some, it is a way to “freeze” their assets before starting the divorce process. This can […]
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What is The Early Settlement Panel in New Jersey?
For divorcing couples in New Jersey, the Early Settlement Panel (ESP) is a form of alternative dispute resolution. It gives couples the opportunity to determine the financial terms of their divorce settlements without having to go through the lengthy, expensive process of litigation. Many couples find divorcing through alternative dispute resolution to be an empowering […]
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When Is Child Support Terminated or Modified in New Jersey?
Child support is money paid from one parent to another to help him or her cover the expenses that come with being a child’s primary caregiver. These expenses include groceries, housing, the child’s medical care, and any other needs the child might have, like school supplies and extracurricular activities. When a couple with one or […]
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Immediately After I Was Divorced I Found Out That My Spouse Hid Assets. Is there Something I Can Do in New Jersey?
When a New Jersey couple divorces, the court divides their assets through a process known as equitable distribution. With equitable distribution, each partner receives a share of the couple’s marital property that meets his or her financial and personal needs following the divorce. This can mean that the partners will not necessarily walk away with […]
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Be Careful What You Post To Social Media During a New Jersey Divorce
Social media is everywhere. Think about how much it has changed your life in the past few years: where do you find out about events in your social circle? Engagements, weddings, new jobs, new babies? How do you share any type of big news of your own? If you are like most Americans, these interactions […]
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During The New Jersey Divorce Process, What Should I Expect If I Am Deposed?
A deposition is an important part of the divorce process. It is used to determine the extent of an individual’s assets so the court can fairly and effectively divide a couple’s property during the divorce process. Going through a deposition is called being deposed. Although it might sound like a scary or uncomfortable process, it […]
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If there is Real Estate In My Name Alone, Does My Spouse Have A Claim To It During Our New Jersey Divorce?
That depends on whether the property was purchased before your marriage or during it. Even then, certain factors can make a singly-held piece of real estate subject to New Jersey’s equitable division laws. If you are unsure about whether a particular piece of property is considered to be singly-held or marital property, discuss it with […]
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New Jersey’s Heroin Epidemic
Over the past few years, heroin use and abuse in New Jersey has soared. Since 2010, the number of heroin overdose deaths in the state has tripled. In 2014 alone, more than 700 people died of heroin overdoses in New Jersey. Because of its prevalence, the penalties that an individual faces for the possession, sale, […]
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Legal Separation in New Jersey
When a couple legally separates, they stop living together but do not formally end their marriage. Couples choose to legally separate for a variety of reasons. When a married couple who has significant assets to divide or children to care for and support financially decides to legally separate, they might opt to draft and sign […]
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Can Social Media Data be Used During a Divorce Case?
Yes. Any images or discussions you share on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr can absolutely be used as evidence of an extramarital affair in divorce court. Although divorces in New Jersey do not have to have grounds (in other words, you do not need to prove that your partner has […]
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Simple vs. Aggravated Assault
“Simple” and “aggravated” are two terms used to describe the severity of a criminal offense. For example, a simple assault can describe any small fight between two individuals while an aggravated assault refers to an altercation where one or both of the parties suffered bodily harm. The descriptors “simple” and “aggravated” can be used to […]
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Underage Drinking Charges in New Jersey
In New Jersey as well as the rest of the United States, the legal drinking age is 21 years old. That means that any individual under the age of 21 who is found consuming an alcoholic beverage can face an underage drinking charge. Underage drinking is a disorderly persons offense. Despite it being illegal for […]
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Paying Alimony after Retirement
When a couple divorces, the lower-earning spouse may ask the court to develop an alimony order. This order requires the higher-paying spouse to provide financial support to the lower-earning spouse for a defined period of time in order to avoid the receiving spouse from being financially ruined by the divorce. An appropriate payment amount and […]
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I Found Out my Child Is Not Biologically Mine. Am I Still Required to Pay Child Support?
This can be an extremely difficult issue to tackle. When a child is born to a married couple, it is assumed to be the husband’s biological child and his name is added to the birth certificate. When a child is born to an unmarried woman, her partner can sign the child’s birth certificate to become […]
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My Child Does Not Want to Visit me. Can the Court Require Him or Her to Visit?
Going through a divorce and facing the prospect of no longer seeing your child every day can be heartbreaking. Hearing that your child does not want to spend time with you during your court-ordered parenting time can be even more devastating. When New Jersey courts develop child custody agreements, they do so with the intention […]
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What you Need to Know About Moving Out of New Jersey with your Child
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to leave the Garden State. Maybe you’ve been offered a great job opportunity elsewhere or you need to be closer to your extended family. Maybe you just want to relocate to a place where it’s cheaper to live. No matter what your reason for moving […]
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Who is Eligible for New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program?
New Jersey is one of the twenty-three states that currently have medical marijuana programs in place. Research has shown that cannabis use can have a positive effect on individuals suffering from various debilitating conditions. Unlike a few other states, New Jersey has not legalized recreational marijuana use. This means that unless an individual is currently […]
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Actions That Can Violate your Child Parenting Time Order
Actions That Can Violate your Child Parenting Plan or Order In nearly all cases, it is in a child’s best interest to have regular contact with both of his or her parents. Ideally, this is achieved through joint custody agreements, where each parent has an equal share of childcare duties and time with their son […]
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Back to School with a New Custody Arrangement
Summer never seems long enough in New Jersey. One minute, you’re stepping onto the beach for the first time and the next, you’re in a department store picking out notebooks and pens for the upcoming year. Adjusting from a summertime schedule to the academic year can be a difficult transition, especially when you and your […]
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Penalties for Controlled Dangerous Substance Possession in New Jersey
In New Jersey and the rest of the country, illegal drugs are categorized into groups known as schedules. The drugs in each schedule are grouped according to three shared characteristics: The drug’s accepted medical use The potential harm that the drug poses to its users The drug’s level of addictiveness Illegal drugs are known as […]
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How Can DCPP Being Called Affect your Child Custody Order?
In New Jersey, the state agency charged with protecting children from abuse and household harm is known as the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP). Many individuals still refer to it by its old name, DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services). No matter what you call it, it is important that […]
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Can a Paying Parent Veto their Child’s College Choice?
As a New Jersey parent, you can be required to contribute toward your adult child’s higher education expenses. College is expensive and most young men and women are unable to meet these costs themselves. But the price difference between colleges can be extreme. In New Jersey, one year’s tuition at Rutgers University costs just under […]
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Working Summer Vacation into your Child Custody Schedule
During summer vacation, the rules are relaxed a little. Children stay up later and might head off to camps and sports clinics and parents plan vacations to get some quality time with their families, away from the same old routine back home. But when you share custody with your former partner or have to keep […]
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What Happens if I Die Intestate?
Dying without a valid will is also known as dying intestate. This means that you have not specified the beneficiaries who will receive your assets after your passing. In New Jersey, intestate laws exist to handle this type of case. If you die without a will, most of your assets will go to your closest […]
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The Expungement Process in New Jersey
If you have a criminal conviction on your record, you could potentially have that charge removed through a process known as expungement. When you expunge a conviction from your criminal record, it is not removed from your record completely. Rather, it is “hidden” so potential employers, landlords, and others who might make a judgment about […]
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Undergoing a Psychological Evaluation for Child Custody Determination
Child custody is not determined through one quick decision. To make sure that a child’s needs are met after his or her parents’ divorce, the court examines a variety of factors present in both parents’ lifestyles to determine the best custody arrangement for the child. This process can take a considerable amount of time and […]
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What to Do If you Suspect Domestic Violence is Happening when your Child is with His or Her Other Parent
Contact the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) immediately to report the suspected abuse. If your child is in danger, you need to get him or her out of that household immediately. Any time you involve law enforcement or DCPP in your custody case, notify your attorney. If do not accuse your former partner […]
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Can my Previous Criminal History Affect my Child Custody Arrangement?
It absolutely can. How much your criminal record can affect your child custody arrangement depends on a few factors. These factors are as follows: The type of offense The number of offenses The victim of your offense The age of the offense The purpose of a child custody arrangement after a divorce is to promote […]
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Divorcing Through Collaborative Law
There are a lot of ways to end your marriage. One way is through the traditional divorce litigation. Another is through mediation, which takes the couple out of the courtroom and allows them to work with a neutral third party to develop a satisfying divorce settlement. A third option is collaborative divorce. This option, like […]
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Can my Child Choose Where to Live?
Possibly. It depends on your child’s age and maturity level. If your child expresses a desire to live with one parent or the other after your divorce, the main question the court will ask is “why?” If the court determines that your child has the capacity to make an informed, rational decision about where he […]
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Supervised Parenting Time in New Jersey
When you are working through the process of determining child custody with the court, keep in mind that not all custody arrangements give both parents custody of the child. In many cases, one parent is named the custodial parent and the other is given parenting time with the child. Parenting time is a regularly-scheduled time […]
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How Can I Support a Loved One who is Recovering from Addiction?
Drug addiction hits families hard. As anybody with a family member who is battling addiction knows, there is no way to help an addict unless he or she wants to be helped. When a loved one does get help for his or her disease, whether that help is completely voluntary or following a conviction, he […]
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Disorderly Persons Offenses Explained
In most of the United States, minor criminal acts are called misdemeanors and major criminal acts are called felonies. This is not the case in New Jersey. In New Jersey, minor offenses are categorized as “disorderly persons offenses” and major offenses are known as “crimes” or “indictable offenses.” Although disorderly persons offenses are a lower […]
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Determining if you are Eligible for an Annulment
Not every marriage is a valid marriage. A marriage can be deemed to be invalid if it somehow violates New Jersey’s matrimonial laws. When this is the case for a couple, they have the option of having their marriage annulled. An annulment is not the same as a divorce. When a couple divorces, they take […]
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Ashley Madison Hack Uncovers New Jersey’s Infidelity Habits
When the infamous extramarital affair website Ashley Madison was hacked in July 2015, more than 300,000 New Jersey users were identified. New Jersey ranked fourth in the United States for the most money spent on ashleymadison.com, coming in behind Alabama, Colorado, and the District of Columbia. On the list of the top 100 New Jersey […]
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The Financial Effects of Cohabitation Agreements When the Parties are Married or Not Married
Today, it is very popular for unmarried couples to live together. Some of these couples eventually opt to marry, while others break up and go their separate ways or choose to live together without marrying for years or even decades. These couples do not get to take advantage of the benefits that married couples receive, […]
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How Do Post Judgment Personal Injury Awards Affect Child Support and Alimony?
When you are injured in an accident, you could receive a compensation settlement through a personal injury claim. This money is meant to cover your expenses related to your injury, such as your medical bills, lost wages, and disability aids. When a married individual receives a settlement for a personal injury claim, the money from […]
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How Can I Get my Abusive Spouse Out of Our Home?
If you are in immediate danger of suffering from domestic violence, you need to get out of your home now. Worry about getting him or her to leave the house later – at this moment, your top priority should be your safety. Using a Restraining Order After you have gotten yourself away from your abusive […]
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Can an Emancipated Young Adult Revert to Un-Emancipated Status?
Generally, no. Once an adolescent or young adult is emancipated, he or she remains a legal adult for life. In New Jersey, a young man or woman is not automatically emancipated at eighteen. Although it is certainly possible to be emancipated at this age, many young men and women remain under their parents’ care until […]
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Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries
Summer is here, and that means that it is time to break out the motorcycles, jet skis, ATVs, and other recreational vehicles that make being outdoors in the summer fun. Before you get on your motorcycle for a ride, make sure you take the proper safety precautions to prevent an accident. Although you can never […]
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Personal Injury Claims for Minors
When an individual is injured in an accident, he or she is often eligible to file a personal injury claim to recover monetary compensation for his or her expenses. In most cases, an adult victim has two years from the date of his or her injury to file a personal injury claim. This two-year period […]
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My Teenager Just Became a Parent. Is He or She Emancipated?
No. Having a baby as a teen does not emancipate the teen parent. Although adolescents ages sixteen and seventeen, whether they are parents or not, may seek emancipation, being a parent in itself does not affect a teen’s emancipation status. A teen parent can use his or her responsibility as a parent to support his […]
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Cohabitation and Property Division Among Unmarried Couples
Over the past few decades, it has become socially acceptable and popular for unmarried couples to live together. Some of these couples eventually do marry and others live together for years, even decades, without ever formally committing to a marriage contract. This poses a problem when a cohabitating couple ends their relationship. In many of […]
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The Reason for Having a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) for your Pension or 401k
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a legal order that changes a retirement plan’s ownership to allow an individual other than its original holder to receive money from it. A QDRO may change a retirement plan’s ownership to an individual’s spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent. A QDRO defines the beneficiaries, also known […]
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Conditional Discharge vs. Pretrial Intervention
A criminal conviction can have a permanent, negative effect on an individual’s life. It can prevent the individual from obtaining certain types of employment and severely limit his or her housing opportunities. In New Jersey, first-time offenders have the opportunity to avoid conviction by completing one of two programs: conditional discharge or pretrial intervention. Each […]
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Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries are some of the most common injuries that can occur. Slip and fall hazards are everywhere – a recently-mopped floor, a cracked sidewalk, a wet dock, a broken step, or even an outdoor hazard covered by leaves or a tarp can create a risk for falling and sustaining a life-changing injury. […]
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The Adoption Process for New Jersey Couples Adopting through an Adoption Agency
There are many different ways New Jersey couples can adopt children and expand their families. Some couples choose to adopt children from overseas while others opt to adopt children who live in the United States. For some couples, the best route is through a private adoption whereas others choose to work with an adoption agency […]
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Specific Issues Faced by Same Sex Parents
Families headed by same sex parents are more visible today than ever especially given the Suprme Court’s recent decision permitting same sex marriage nationwide. Despite same sex marriage becoming legal in New Jersey and throughout the nation, there are still certain legal issues that same sex parents face regarding their children. These legal issues are […]
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Unmarried Parents’ Rights
When a married couple has a baby, the husband is automatically considered to be the child’s legal father. But if a couple is not married when their baby is born, the couple must establish the child’s paternity. It is crucial that the parents establish their child’s paternity for a few reasons. They are as follows: […]
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When Divorce is the Best Option for Parents
Sometimes, a relationship just doesn’t work. You might try all that you can to maintain a relationship with your spouse, from couple’s therapy to new strategies for working and living together and still find yourselves unhappy with each other. When this is the case, it might be best for you to end your marriage. Although […]
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What To Do if your Former Spouse Refuses to Pay Child Support
Following a divorce, a noncustodial parent may be required to make child support payments to the custodial parent to help pay for their child’s care. This money is meant to cover goods for the child, such as food, clothing, and personal needs as well as offset some of the expenses that the custodial parent incurs, […]
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Finding Hidden Assets During the Divorce Process
The key to a straightforward divorce is a willingness to be open with your former partner about your assets. If you or your spouse can not openly discuss your assets and debts with your attorneys or a mediator to divide them fairly, your attorneys may have to go through a process known as discovery. How […]
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Am I Obligated to Pay my Ex’s Student Loan Debt?
Usually, no. In most cases, individuals who took out student loans did so before they married, taking on the debt alone or co-signing with their parents for it. Because they obtained this debt before marriage, it is considered to be singly-held property. But if you co-signed with your spouse when he or she took out […]
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How Child Custody is Determined in a New Jersey Divorce
When a couple with children divorces, child custody and support are two of the biggest issues that need to be worked out as part of their divorce settlement. In New Jersey, children are required to maintain contact with both parents following a divorce, unless there is a reason why one or both parents’ parental rights […]
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How Can a New Relationship Affect my Divorce Settlement?
If you are currently working through the divorce or considering ending your marriage in the near future, it is in your best interest to avoid entering a new relationship until your divorce is finalized. This is because even if you feel your relationship with your spouse is over, your marriage is not over until the […]
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Six Steps to Take After a Car Accident
When you are in a car accident, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. Car accidents can be terrifying and potentially lead to life-long impairments and significant bills. If you are injured or your car is damaged, you might also find yourself facing the prospect of filing an insurance claim. After any […]
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Drug Court in New Jersey: The Pros and Cons of the Program
Drug Court in New Jersey: The Pros and Cons of the Program Drug addiction is a serious problem throughout New Jersey and the rest of the United States. In recent years, the number of heroin overdoses and arrests in New Jersey have driven the issue to be described by many as an epidemic. To combat […]
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What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death is any death that occurs as a result of an accident that the victim did not cause. This can include, but is not limited to, a car accident, a slip or a fall, or a case of medical malpractice. When a wrongful death occurs, the victim’s close family members may be entitled […]
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What Are my Obligations Toward my Adult Child’s College Expenses?
Whether you are required to help your child pay for his or her college expenses can depend on the following factors: If you are divorced If your child is currently considered to be a dependent Your other financial obligations College is expensive and very few young adults are financially capable of paying their way through […]
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Tips for Successfully Integrating your Families After Marrying Another Parent
As a divorced parent, you may find yourself dating and eventually considering marrying another divorced parent. Since the middle of the twentieth century, married couples where at least one partner has a child from a previous relationship have become increasingly common in the United States. However, just because this type of setup is fairly common […]
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When is a Child Emancipated in New Jersey?
Legally, a child becomes an adult on his or her eighteenth birthday. This is the date at which he or she does not need parental permission for decisions such as marrying, elective surgery, tattoos and other body modifications, and working. For most individuals, this transition from childhood to adulthood is known as “emancipation.” When a […]
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Pet Custody for Divorcing Couples
Pets are part of the family. Many New Jersey couples treat their pets like their children, regardless of whether they have human children or not. This leads many couples to question how custody of their pets will be determined during a divorce. There is no law in place regarding pet custody in New Jersey. In […]
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Divorce After Fifty: Issues to Consider and “Gray Divorce”
Divorces among mature adults, those over the age of fifty, are becoming more common than they have ever been in the past. These divorces are sometimes known as “gray divorce” and are often accompanied by challenges that younger divorcing couples do not face. One of the biggest dividing factors in these divorces is one or […]
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Who Gets the Shore House? Handling Multiple Real Estate Properties in a New Jersey Divorce
Having a shore house and spending summers by the beach is a tradition many New Jersey families cherish. But when a couple divorces, the shore house can become a point of contention. Like all other property, including the family’s full-time home, a vacation house is a significant investment and may constitute a large portion of […]
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I Lost my Job. How Can I Modify my Child Support Agreement?
Losing your job can launch you and your family into world of uncertainty. When the weeks you have been out of work turn into months, reaching a year or longer, you could find yourself struggling with making all of your monthly payments. If this is the case, consider filing a motion with the court to […]
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What Are a Grandparent’s Rights to Visitation with His or Her Grandchild?
The relationship between a child and his or her grandparent is an important one. Grandparents provide support and care for children alongside their parents, developing unique inter-generational bonds. When a child’s parents divorce, the grandparents are often understandably worried about what will become of their relationships with their grandchildren. If you are a grandparent, your […]
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Am I Liable if my Dog Bites Somebody?
Yes. In New Jersey, a dog’s owner is legally liable for all damage the dog inflicts upon a victim, even if the dog has never bitten anybody or displayed aggressive tendencies toward humans. This is written into New Jersey’s dog bite statute, N.J.S.A. 4:19-16. There are certain circumstances under which you might not be held […]
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How is a Small Business Divided in a New Jersey Divorce?
Thousands of New Jersey couples successfully own and operate small businesses as their main source of income. In thousands more cases, individuals operate their own businesses while their spouses work traditional jobs or take on homemaking roles. In others yet, the small business contributes only a small part of the couple’s total household income. No […]
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Graduation Party Liability When Alcohol Is Involved
As graduation approaches for so many of New Jersey’s seniors, it seems appropriate for many to beg their parents for a party to celebrate their newest accomplishment. While this may seem like a harmless idea, when parents agree to allow their children to throw a party at their home it can quickly turn into a […]
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Continuing Child Support Past Age Eighteen for Young Adults with Special Needs
In the United States, a child reaches the age of majority on his or her eighteenth birthday. This means that he or she is a legal adult. Although many parents voluntarily continue to provide for their child at and beyond age eighteen, child support orders are generally designed to end at this age because the […]
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Premises Liability in New Jersey
As a homeowner or business owner, you have what is known as premises liability for your property. That means that you are responsible for properly maintaining your property to prevent injury-causing accidents for individuals who visit your property. Examples of Injuries for which a Property Owner May be Held Liable Premises liability covers a wide […]
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How to Talk to Your Child About Divorce
Divorce is often a difficult topic to discuss with anybody. When your conversation partner is your child, the discussion only becomes more difficult. You might find yourself struggling to find the right way to tell your child that you are ending your relationship with his or her other parent and that one or both of […]
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The Types of Alimony Agreements Available to New Jersey Couples
In 2014, New Jersey’s alimony laws when through an overhaul. The changes included in this bill modernized the current laws, taking into consideration the realities that couples today face, such as dual-income households and cohabitation with a new partner after a divorce without marrying the new partner. Alimony is far more complicated than one spouse […]
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Teen Sexting in New Jersey: Childs Play or Child Pornography
With the advancement of technology, it seems that everyone is somehow connected to each other either by phone, or through the internet. Now more so than before, it seems as though most teens have a cell phone, or some form of an electronic device capable of accessing the internet. While many teens have these devices […]
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Seeking a Prenuptial Agreement for your Second or Subsequent Marriage
As an individual with assets, you need to protect your right to those assets. One way you can do this is by signing a prenuptial agreement before getting married. Although it may seem unromantic or defeatist to sign this type of agreement, the truth is that is provides a framework for the division of your […]
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When Mediation is Not the Right Choice for Your Divorce
Although mediation can have great benefits for divorcing couples such as lower costs and a greater control over the settlement than a couple has with divorce litigation, it is not the ideal solution for every couple. Before choosing how to divorce, talk to your attorney about your options. Some couples have the freedom to choose […]
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Why Mediation Could be the Right Divorce Solution For You
If you are facing an upcoming divorce, the process of going to court to determine your settlement can be daunting. You will have to divide your shared property, determine if you or your spouse may receive alimony payments, and if you have children, their custody and support agreements as part of your divorce settlement. Amid […]
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How to Recognize Domestic Violence in Your Relationship and How to Get Out
When you see an individual berating his or her partner in public or hear stories about people staying with their abusers for years or decades, living through routine beatings, you might find yourself shaking your head and wondering how a victim can allow him or herself to stay in that relationship. The truth is, most […]
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Adopting Your Spouse’s Child – Your Guide to Step Parent Adoptions in New Jersey
For many New Jersey couples, a marriage means more than gaining a partner – it means gaining a partner and his or her children, forging a new family together. A new spouse is not automatically a step parent when a couple marries, though. To become a child’s legal parent, an individual married to the child’s […]
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Child Custody When One Parent is Incarcerated
Having a parent go to jail can have a dramatic effect on a young child. While a child might feel angry, anxious, confused, and scared about a parent going to jail, a parent often feels a sense of loss and uncertainty about the future of his or her relationship with the child. Many parents fear […]
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Working the Holidays Into your Child Custody Agreement
Even without having to work around a child custody schedule, the holidays can be hectic. When you have your child’s custody arrangement to consider, they only become more stressful. In most shared custody arrangements, the children spend part of the week with one parent and the rest of the week with the other. Sticking to […]
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Determining Liability for an Injury Sustained in a Watercraft Collision
Every summer, New Jersey’s waterways become dense with boats and other watercraft. Operating a boat or jet ski can be an exhilarating way to spend a summer day, but it can also be dangerous. In 2013, 123 boat collisions occurred in New Jersey’s waters. Of these, eight were fatalities. In any accident where a party […]
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Can the Court Prevent Me from Moving Out of State with My Child?
The short answer is yes, New Jersey’s family court system may prevent you from moving out of state if you are currently sharing custody of your child with your former partner. This is because moving out of state can make it impossible for your child to maintain a relationship with both of his or her […]
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Don’t Overlook Closing Costs When Selling Your New Jersey Home Due To Divorce
When you get an offer on your home for sale, you’ll probably find yourself doing a mental calculation of the real estate commission you’ll need to pay, based on the specific price offered. And if you’re like most sellers, you may inadvertently overlook another significant expense of closing the sale on your home. The additional […]
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New Jersey Divorce and Child Custody Mediation Options
One of your options to control the outcomes in New Jersey divorce and child custody matters is use of mediation procedures. Mediation allows both parties, both parents to state their preferences and to come to an agreement outside a courtroom. Some typical issues that can be resolved through mediation include: 1) living arrangements for the […]
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Understanding the New Jersey Divorce Process
It’s possible you’ve heard plenty of stories from other people about the New Jersey divorce process. And maybe you’re thinking you have a pretty good idea how things are likely to work out for you in a divorce proceeding, too. But there are too many areas where your circumstances may differ from others, and your […]
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Divorced Parents: Who Pays College Tuition?
New Jersey courts generally view a college education as a necessity, and the cost of college as the responsibility of the parents, not the student. Parents who are seeking a divorce when their child is in college or entering college may be able to have the same court deal with the issue of who pays […]
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Stepparent Rights and Obligations in New Jersey
Stepparents have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Stepping into the shoes of a child’s parent, even if it’s only part-time, is basically an impossible task. Children of any age who have a relationship with each of their birth parents have to find different role for a stepparent in their lives. Naturally, they […]
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What is the Difference Between an Open and Closed Adoption?
New Jersey is among the majority of states in which child adoption records are sealed, which is known as a “closed adoption.” Prior to 1941 New Jersey adoption records were open, meaning they are public information. But since 1941 adoption records are confidential and not available to the public. A closed adoption means the adopted […]
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Understanding the Child Support Guidelines in New Jersey
Getting off to the right start to gain understanding of the Child Support Guidelines in New Jersey means knowing exactly who you are, and understanding your legal position in a child support matter as defined in the Guidelines. While you may not know for sure who will be paying child support, or how much child […]
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Adoption Laws in New Jersey – Domestic and International Adoptions
Navigating the child adoption laws in New Jersey will start with a decision. First, you must know whether you intend to adopt a child from the United States or from a foreign country. The laws are different, so you will need to make that decision in order to focus on the laws that apply to […]
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New Jersey Step Parent Rights and Obligations: Child Support Payments
Statistics show that 1 out of 3 Americans is now or has been a step parent. It is a very common situation in New Jersey as well as other states. Although many people become step parents, they frequently have little understanding of their legal rights, during a marriage to the childrens’ parent and after a […]
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Domestic Violence Issues in New Jersey: What Does “Domestic” Mean?
If you or a family member is suffering in an abusive relationship with someone close to you, it’s important to understand the meaning of the word “domestic” in the common legal phrase, “domestic violence.” In the state of New Jersey, The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act protects people who are 18 years of age or […]
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2014 Changes to New Jersey Alimony Laws
As of early September 2014 the New Jersey Alimony Laws have changed significantly. While many people are happy to see the old laws being updated, others don’t think the alimony reform goes far enough. So what’s it all about? What has changed? First of all, nothing changes for court-ordered alimony payments put in place in […]
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Know Your Liability Hosting a Memorial Day Barbecue
Memorial Day weekend is closer than you think. Your initial thought is to head “Down the Shore” and patronize your favorite club or restaurant but that thought soon disappears when you consider the shore traffic and the potential for a “DWI” charge against your license. Your next thought is to entertain at home with friends […]
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Medical Marijuana And Child Custody
Adults and children with debilitating illness and disease may be eligible to obtain and consume marijuana legally now under The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The law is very clear as to the particular medical conditions for which a patient can be approved for the Medical Marijuana Program. It is not designed to […]
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What Happens When Child Support Payments Get Behind?
Child support orders are a legal obligation. Set by the court, they are mandatory, enforced by the New Jersey Court system, and require another court order to change. In other words, a casual agreement with your spouse is not appropriate because it’s not legal. Petitioning the court for modification of child support orders is the […]
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Valuation of A Business in Divorce Calculations
If you are a business owner in New Jersey, coming up with a valuation of your business may become an important component in your divorce documents. You’ll be filling out a Family Case Information Statement, which requires you to reveal your income and the source of your income. It also requires a balance sheet of […]
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Settlement Agreements in New Jersey
A settlement agreement is the signed, written document produced at the end of a lawsuit, or when settling a dispute before or during a lawsuit, but without moving through the whole process to reach a final judgment in court. Both parties to the dispute, if there are only two, or all parties to the dispute, […]
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When A Man Is The Victim of Physical Abuse
Most people think about a woman when they picture a victim of physical abuse. But statistics show that many men and boys also become victims of physical abuse at some point in their lives. Setting aside the huge and critical topic of child abuse in general, males can be an over-looked victim of physical abuse […]
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The Family Case Information Statement Explained
The Family Case Information Statement (CIS) is a document that gets filed with the County Clerk at the time your contested family action begins. It is basically a summary of important information for the court’s purposes during the course of litigation, and it must be kept current whenever information changes. The CIS consists of six […]
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When Children Are Sick or Injured: Do Custody Agreements Hold Up?
Custody agreements are established by the court with the best information available at the time, and with the primary intention of fairness to the children. Parents may not like the terms of their custody agreement, and filing for a modification is one of the legal options available for changing it. Generally, judges in New Jersey, […]
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Making Good Decisions Following Your Divorce
The stress and inevitable losses of time and money, as well as other valuable resources involved in any divorce make it difficult to think clearly sometimes. Making good decisions when you’re involved in a divorce and for some time thereafter can be a challenge. Most mental health professionals and family lawyers handling divorce cases will […]
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Will The Judge Speak To My Children In My Custody Case?
Without knowing the facts of your case, it’s impossible to say whether or not a judge will definitely speak to your children in the course of your divorce and custody hearings. In New Jersey, judges have discretion to interview children involved in a custody matter. A judge is required to use his or her best […]
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Leaving the Scene of an Accident
“The driver of a vehicle or street car involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person, or damage to property of any one person in excess of $500.00 shall by the quickest means of communication give notice of such accident to the local police department or to the nearest office […]
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Child Custody: What does it mean?
Child custody is often one of the most complicated issues in the divorce process. The divorce process is quite lengthy and daunting for the parents, but it can also have a detrimental impact on the children. If the parents cannot reach a mutual agreement amongst themselves in relation to child custody, the issue is then […]
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Stages of Divorce In New Jersey
Filing for divorce can be a tiresome and challenging time. The Divorce process is quite lengthy, complex and time consuming. There are several steps in the divorce process that need to be completed before a divorce can be finalized. Each step has specific requirements and deadlines that need to be met. The first step in […]
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Driving an uninsured vehicle: what are the consequences?
In the State of New Jersey under N.J.S.A 39:6B-1 any vehicle that is bought or operated on a public road in the State of New Jersey must carry liability insurance. This coverage is to be for no less than $15,000 for the death or injuries of a single victim, $30,000 to cover any one accident, […]
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Broken engagement, who gets the ring?
After a couple gets engaged, the thought of a separation is rarely considered. Regrettably, for some couples, time brings forth certain doubts related to the realities of marriage. As a result it is not unusual to see a once loving couple turn into strangers, and begin to go their separate ways. While their separation may […]
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Divorce from Bed and Board: New Jersey’s Version of Legal Separation
The decision to file for divorce is never easy. There are many factors an individual has to consider when filing for divorce. The main consideration the parties must make is to determine whether they wish to have a standard divorce which provides them with a Final Judgment of Divorce or a Divorce from Bed and […]
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What is Landlord Tenant Court?
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, you have probably heard of Landlord Tenant Court. You probably even know someone who has been to court on a landlord tenant matter. Since New Jersey has such a large amount of rental units, including residential housing and commercial space, the Landlord Tenant Court is a very […]
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