What Is a Covenant Marriage?

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Making headlines in wedding news this week are the nuptials of Jill Duggar, the second eldest daughter of TV’s famous 19 Kids and Counting Duggar clan, and her new husband, Derick Dillard. Their wedding — which recently aired on TLC — is all the buzz not just because of the Duggar’s reality TV celebrity, but because the two decided to enter into a different kind of marital agreement called a “covenant marriage.” Read more

Domestic Violence and Abuse in New Jersey: Where to Find the Help You Need

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As we recently depicted in “Faces of Domestic Violence,” it is not always easy to identify domestic abuse, especially in its more subtle forms. This means that often, people in the grip of this problem delay seeking help until a situation has become overwhelming or dangerous. Without professional help, signs of abuse rarely disappear and frequently worsen over time. In this post, we are urging you to take action at the first sign of a problem.

What kind of help should you seek and where? Read more

Controversial Bad Judge Show A Case of Bad Judgment?

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Have you watched the new NBC show, Bad Judge? The series, starring veteran TV actress Kate Walsh, has recently come under fire for its depiction of a female judge who engages in — to put it lightly — highly unethical behavior, both on and off the bench. Read more

Positive Co-Parenting Over Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate family and all that we’re thankful for, and for divorced families, the day is no different! Usually, the only ingredients needed to bring joy — not stress — to the table during the holiday season is a little creativity and flexibility in co-parenting strategies. Ready to dig in? Here are 5 tips for a more relaxed, happy and child-centered Thanksgiving. Read more

Family Law Tuesday Divorce Q&A Round Up

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Please join us for Family Law Tuesday, our live Q&A session held on our WLG Facebook page on the first Tuesday of every month. The next Family Law Tuesday is planned for November 4 from 8-9 pm. What kinds of questions do people ask? Here is a round up of Q&As from our October event. Read more

5 Inside Secrets Divorce Attorneys Don’t Want You To Know

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The process of finding an attorney to represent you in your divorce can feel confusing and overwhelming. Is the lawyer charging a fair price? How do you know his or her style is the right fit? The attorney may seem friendly and attentive now, but what about down the road? Here are 5 inside secrets some divorce attorneys DON’T want you to know about hidden costs and strong-arm tactics to retain clients. Finding a good attorney becomes much easier when you know how to avoid these five common traps. Read more

In Aftermath of Ray Rice Assault, NJ Lawmakers Introduce 3 New Domestic Violence Bills

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In her most recent post for the Huffington Post, WLG’s Bari Weinberger analyzed the outcome of the Ray Rice domestic violence case, calling for improvements to New Jersey domestic violence law.

Members of the New Jersey Legislature are now following suit by introducing three new domestic violence bills in direct response to Rice’s placement in a pre-trial intervention program, which if successfully completed, will wipe from his record any mention of charges stemming from Rice’s assault on his then-fiancée in an Atlantic City casino. Read more

5 Money-Saving Tips for Surviving the Holidays When You’re Newly Divorced or Separated

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Between all the gift buying, festive parties and holiday travel, the expenses of the holiday season can really add up, especially if you’re recently separated or divorced and adjusting to a new budget. How can you make it through to January 1 without breaking the bank? Try these money-saving holiday survival tips. Read more

Faces of Domestic Violence: Three Very Different Stories

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One of the most difficult aspects of domestic violence is that it affects a victim’s ability to take self-protective measures. Some people are uncertain whether or not their situation even amounts to domestic violence. Others are simply overwhelmed by their emotional or financial entanglement with the perpetrator.

If you are in either of these situations, it can help to take things one step at a time. If you are in physical danger, your first step is clear: Call 911 or the NJ Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 (800) 572-SAFE (7233). You can also call the hotline if you just have questions about your (or someone else’s) situation, or you can contact an experienced domestic violence attorney free of charge.

While the most obvious domestic violence scenarios involve physical violence, there are actually 14 distinct offenses covered by the New Jersey Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, N.J.S.A.2C:25-17 et seq. (NJPDVA).

Here are three very different NJ domestic violence case studies: Read more

An Open Letter to the NFL: Play This Season’s Super Bowl Off the Field

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Dear Mr. Roger Goodell,

As a lifelong football fan, my intention was to spend this year’s NFL season, as I always do, rooting for the New York Giants to win big. However, since the Ray Rice domestic assault video broke in September and charges of domestic violence and abuse against other NFL players unearthed, I have changed my mind about who I hope walks away as this season’s champions. Read more