Asset Division: Should Ex-Spouse Share in $2.5M Job Bonus After Brief Marriage?

asset division & work bonus

An ex-wife in a brief 14-month marriage is demanding a share of the $2.5 million work bonus paid to her ex-husband. Job or work bonuses are often subject to division in divorce, but what makes this former spouse’s claim unique is that she is asking for an award based on the length of their marriage and the time prior to that when she and her husband dated and cohabited.

Two lower courts have said “no” to her request, affirming that equitable distribution of any property, including salary bonuses, should be based upon the length of the actual marriage only. The ex-wife was awarded 30K by the courts as an amount commensurate with the short duration of her marriage. However, she believes that she is entitled to approximately $200,000 and has appealed these prior rulings to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Does she have a case?

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You Don’t Have To Be A Celebrity To Divorce Like A Star!

celebrity divorceWe all heard last week that one of the most famous couples in modern history — Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie — are divorcing after spending two years married and over a decade together. Jolie has hired famous divorce attorney to the stars, Laura Wasser to represent her in the divorce. Wasser is known by the moniker, “Disso Queen” by handling marriage dissolutions for some of Hollywood’s most famous. What is notable about Ms. Wasser and her handling of these famous divorces is the lack of publicity the actual legal work gets. For example, she recently represented Johnny Depp in his rather contested divorce from Amber Heard. While that couple was seen daily in the tabloids after the divorce was filed by Heard, the case itself was handled quite quickly and quite quietly by Ms. Wasser.

How does she do it? And how can you have a celebrity divorce like the Hollywood stars, even when you live here in New Jersey? Let’s take a look Read more

Co-Parenting in New Jersey: Can It Be Done?

pitt jolie co-parenting

Image copyright Jean_Nelson, Depositphoto.com

Even the most famous of couples who are divorcing are not immune to battles regarding their kids, custody, parenting time and child support. This week, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from her husband of two years, Brad Pitt. The couple has been together for nearly a decade and have six children; three adopted and three born to the couple. What steps can the pair take to establish a positive co-parenting relationship — and how might these tips translate to parents in New Jersey? Read more

Does Addiction Mean You Can Cut Off Child Support?

addicted teen young adult child supportAre divorced parents required to pay child support or addiction rehab costs when an adult child is an addict? Read more

Brangelina Divorce Shines Spotlight On Shared Vs. Sole Custody

Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt custody

Image copyright arp, Depositphoto.com

Brad Pitt’s comment regarding his wife, Angelina Jolie’s filing for divorce was short: “I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids,” he said in the statement. “I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.” Jolie also made a statement, following her filing for divorce: “This decision was made for the health of the family…”

Given these two family-centric statements, what has struck some as interesting in Jolie’s filing papers is her request for sole physical custody of the couple’s six children. While Jolie has asked that Pitt have joint legal custody, she has clearly asked in her divorce filing that the children live with her for the majority of the time, and that Pitt have visitation or parenting time as it is most recently called, with their children.

Why would a parent ask for this for this particular arrangement? Read more

When Your Adult Child Is A Heroin Addict and Lives With You

adult child heroin addictionWhat are the repercussions for allowing your adult child with an opioid or heroin addiction live with you when you have minor children still in the home?
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Addiction and Divorce: Even Brangelina?

addiction and divorce

The world today is in a bit of a state of shock over the news that one of Hollywood’s most famous couples, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, have split. The pair has been married for two years and romantic partners for more than a decade. During their time together, the couple welcomed six children, both both biological and adopted. They seemed to be a couple with true staying power. What went wrong? Read more

Grandparents: How Do You Get Custody Of Your Grandkids When Their Parents Are Addicts?

grandparent rights

Who is often the only person capable of picking up the pieces when a child’s parents are addicted to heroin? A grandparent. Learn how more grandparents are taking custody of their grandchildren as a result of opioid and heroin addiction crisis facing families in New Jersey. Read more

Opioid Epidemic Awareness Week: How Can Addict Parents Get Help?

Thoughtful manPresident Barack Obama has officially proclaimed Sept. 18 through Sept. 24, 2016 as Opioid Epidemic Awareness Week, a first ever awareness week to highlight prevention measures for the growing heroin and opioid crisis in the United States. According to White House officials, the week will be marked by Cabinet members and federal agencies coming together to educate the public about the epidemic that has spread to every corner of our nation, including New Jersey.

As a December 2015 article on NJ.com reported, “The statistics on New Jersey’s heroin crisis are staggering, and paint a picture of a crisis that spreads far beyond overdoses and deaths.” Since 2004, there have been 5,217 heroin-related deaths in New Jersey, and the heroin death rate in the state is more than three times the national average. And, there have been over 184,000 New Jerseyans admitted into treatment facilities for heroin or opioid abuse since 2010.

Many of those who are addicted are also parents. So what does this mean for child custody? Read more

Life After Divorce: Don’t Get Lonely, Get Out There!

your happy post-divorce lifeAfter divorce, living your life happily is truly the ultimate goal now and in the future. But how do you get there? And how can avoid your new status as “single” from turning into the feeling of “being alone” and lonely? Here are the tips you need to start building a life you love! Read more