Publications | Page 3 of 8 | Paras Apy & Reiss

New Jersey Divorce 101

Alimony. Child support. Custody. Equitable distribution. Most everyone has heard these terms before – but until you find yourself contemplating divorce, or in the process of getting divorced, you may not have considered exactly what they mean. This article will provide you with background information on four of the most common issues present in New Jersey divorces. Custody: In New Jersey, the concept of custody is two-fold. The first component of custody is legal custody. Legal custody determines who has the authority to make major decisions for a child. [...]

By Elissa Perkins|2018-02-12T21:54:32+00:00February 12th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off

Putting Out (Camp)Fires: Divorce and Summer Camp

If freezing temperatures and forecasts for snow have you wishing for longer days and warmer weather, you may be looking ahead to summer. And whether you’re divorcing or recently divorced, chances are you’ve given some thought to summer camp. Summer camp for most New Jersey families is no longer a luxury, but a necessary child care alternative for working parents. The New Jersey Child Support Guidelines contemplate a child’s basic needs: food, clothing and shelter, but what about the supplemental costs for raising a child? Fortunately, Appendix IX-A to [...]

By Michael Fleres|2018-01-18T16:11:12+00:00January 18th, 2018|Child Support, Children, Divorce, Family Court|Comments Off

To Have and to Hold? Engagement Rings and New Jersey Law

Let’s talk about engagement rings. They come in all shapes and sizes. Round, oval, emerald, cushion, pear, princess, radiant. A half-carat. A whole carat. Even two or three or four carats. They may be white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, sterling silver, or platinum. However, no matter what they look like or how big they are, these rings are usually worn from the day of an engagement through every day thereafter. A ring is a visible, constant reminder of a couple’s relationship. Therefore, it is no surprise that when [...]

By Elissa Perkins|2018-01-08T16:00:11+00:00January 8th, 2018|Divorce, Equitable Distribution, Property, Property Settlement|Comments Off

A Ruff Decision

A recent survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association reveals that 68% of households in the United States own a pet. It is very likely that the dogs, cats, and other animals residing in most of these 84.6 million homes are treated like treasured members of the family. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that when people get divorced, they may fight like cats and dogs over…well…their cats and dogs. In fact, one of the most common questions we are asked during consultations is “what will happen to [...]

By Elissa Perkins|2017-12-12T21:52:35+00:00December 12th, 2017|Equitable Distribution, Property|Comments Off

Common Sense

Our divorce laws are quite complicated and generally require the guidance of an experienced attorney to navigate successfully. However, no matter how good your lawyer is, he or she will have great difficulty overcoming your or your spouse’s lack of common sense. Common sense should be the guiding light for divorcing couples. Without it the process is likely to be more cumbersome, more stressful, more time consuming, and more expensive. For example, if a couple has reported combined gross income of $100,000 per year on joint income tax returns, [...]

By Peter Paras|2017-11-10T16:48:34+00:00November 10th, 2017|Divorce|Comments Off

Eight Helpful Divorce Tips

Eight Helpful Divorce Tips - If you are going through a divorce you may be confused, overwhelmed and even terrified of what lies ahead. Having information is the key to staying in control and keeping calm. Leave your emotions at the door: Don’t let those hard feelings color your perspective. You may want revenge, but in the end it’s far better to keep calm and look at things rationally. You could have your attorney send a letter to your spouse about the couch, but that simple letter could cost more [...]

By Paras, Apy & Reiss|2017-11-10T16:17:06+00:00November 10th, 2017|Divorce|Comments Off

What’s In A Name?

“That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” William Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet”. Courts in New Jersey have disagreed with the Great Bard for some time, however. Legal disputes over a child’s name are not uncommon, several even finding their way to the Supreme Court. Most often the fight has been over the child’s last name, but as you’ll see, first names are sometimes a source of disagreement. In 1995 the Supreme Court decided Gubernat v. Dermer, which involved a couple who was [...]

By Peter Paras|2017-11-10T16:40:04+00:00October 10th, 2017|Children|Comments Off

Removal Redux

Last year I wrote about removal cases, cases in which one parent asks the Court for permission to move from New Jersey with the child. In 2001 the Supreme Court of New Jersey decided Baures v Lewis. That decision laid out the legal principles that have governed removal cases for the past sixteen years. A few weeks ago the Supreme Court decided Bisbing v Bisbing. In that A few weeks ago the Supreme Court decided Bisbing v Bisbing. In that decision the court found a “special justification” for changing [...]

By Peter Paras|2017-11-10T16:17:57+00:00September 14th, 2017|Removal|Comments Off

Marital Torts

First off, what is a tort? Black’s Law Dictionary defines a tort as “A civil wrong, other than breach of contract, for which a remedy may be obtained, usually in the form of damages.” Intentional torts include assault and battery. An example of a negligent tort is an automobile accident. Marital torts are torts committed by one spouse against another. They, too, can be intentional or negligent. Under New Jersey law, a marital tort claim must be brought in the same action as the divorce, at least initially. As [...]

By Peter Paras|2017-09-14T18:40:31+00:00July 17th, 2017|Marital Torts|Comments Off

Questions to Ask My Divorce Attorney on the First Visit

Questions to Ask My Divorce Attorney on the First Visit - It can be daunting, confusing and downright scary to visit a lawyer about an impending separation or divorce. The right attorney will put your fears to rest and make you feel comfortable with the process. This is the time to ask the questions you may have about the divorce process. Here are some questions to ask before selecting the right lawyer for you. Do you concentrate in divorce? If he does, it means he deals with divorce a [...]

By Paras, Apy & Reiss|2017-07-17T14:51:26+00:00July 17th, 2017|Divorce|Comments Off