A Spooky Time – Take the Fear Out of Divorce and Finding a Divorce Attorney

When you are trying to find the best lawyer for your divorce or family law matter, who wants to play trick or treat? Yes, it’s a spooky time of year, but we don’t think you should ever feel fearful or alone when making decisions that can affect you and your family for years to come. And with our help and expertise, you won’t have to! Our clients find confidence and peace of mind in knowing that Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC offers legal leadership in the key areas that matter most in family law matters and divorce. If you’re spending Halloween doing a little lawyer shopping, here’s a quick rundown of the “treats” you can expect from us as well as a few of our tricks for finding the right attorney for you.

— New Jersey Family Law: The trick is to find a law firm that is experienced in all aspects of family law, including: divorce, child custody and support issues, domestic violence, mediation, pre-nuptial and post nuptial agreements. Our treat? We are counted among New Jersey’s leading family law attorneys, hiring any one of our attorneys is like hiring a team of professionals to help you in these family law areas, thanks to the accomplishments of our hard-working law associates. For proof, look no further than Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC partner Bari Weinberger, one of only 2% of lawyers in the state to achieve the designation of Certified Matrimonial Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

— Divorce Law Experts: Contemplating divorce and don’t know where to start? The trick is to find a lawyer who can explain the basics of divorce in New Jersey and address the specifics of your unique situation in helpful terms and language that you can understand. Since our focus at Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC is divorce — from uncontested divorces with no custody issues to contested high net worth divorces with complex child custody issues — our treat is that we do our best to make the process less scary, no matter what form your divorce takes.

— Child Support and Child Custody: The trick is to find a law firm that makes it a priority to keep a child’s sense of family intact. Joint, shared, or sole custody? Our treat is to assist you in determining which of these three types of New Jersey child custody arrangements is a match for your family. Unsure about child support calculations? Another treat! We will work with you to help you understand the guidelines imposed by the courts.

— Domestic Violence: When it comes to divorce support in light of domestic violence, the trick is to never let domestic violence frighten or intimidate you from taking those important next steps. Our treat — and our pledge to you? We are well-versed in the New Jersey Prevention of Domestic Violence Act and will aggressively work to protect you in all divorce and family law matters that involve assault, threats, or harassment.

— Experienced Mediators: Fearful of the time and expense divorce can entail? A treat for you right would be to learn more about private divorce mediation, a process in which willing parties come to the negotiating table with a skilled mediator to decide jointly the terms of a divorce, no litigation required. Mediation can address everything from how a couple should divide their assets to child custody and support decisions. Mediation can less costly and time-consuming than a traditional litigation before a judge.

We can’t offer any magic spells, but to find out what Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC does offer to those seeking a divorce, residents of New Jersey are invited to schedule an initial consultation to discuss their divorce and family law matters or just call us at (973) 520-8822. We look forward to helping you.

Divorce Lawyer – NJ Process for High Asset Divorce

New Jersey divorce law provides that all marital property shall be distributed equitably. But before a fair distribution can be agreed to, first the marital property and the separate property needs to be determined and then the property must be valued. Someone with many assets and/or complex financial holdings should consult an experienced divorce lawyer. NJ statutes, case law and prenuptial agreements will need to be reviewed to make sure your rights are fully protected.

There are several areas where an experienced attorney can guide you through the process. These include:

(1)               If you or your spouse own a business – Businesses can be complex to appraise accurately, as there are numerous accounting procedures that can be difficult to wade through. Specialized experts called forensic accountants and actuarial experts can be utilized to provide a valuation on the business. Sometimes each party will each get their own appraisal with the two values to be used to ultimately agree on a fair value.

(2)               Retirement Assets (401ks, IRAs, pensions) – In general, a QDRO will be performed to value that portion of retirement assets that were accumulated during the marriage (from the date of marriage to the date of the divorce filing).

(3)               Real estate holdings – In addition to the primary residence, there may be vacation homes, commercial property or investment property. First, it must be determined if any portion of the property can be considered separate from marital property. Then the property must be valued, and a decision made about whether to keep it or sell it.

(4)               Bonuses and Stock Options – There are accounting methods to help determine which portion of this type of compensation will be considered marital property subject to distribution.

It will take some time to properly value all of the holdings for high net worth couples. It’s important that you seek the advice of lawyers who specialize in New Jersey divorce law. They can make you aware of options for valuing and selling property to help ensure an equitable distribution.

3 Tips Regarding an NJ Uncontested Divorce

When it comes to getting an uncontested divorce, many people believe that it is as simple as someone filing, waiting a short period of time, receiving your divorce decree, and then it is all over. While an New Jersey uncontested divorce is usually easier to obtain than a contested one, it does not mean that it is necessarily a walk in the park.
Here are three important tips that those seeking an uncontested divorce in New Jersey should keep in mind, including:

  • Be patient. A divorce that is uncontested usually means that it will not take you as long to reach a final resolution. But that doesn’t mean it is going to happen overnight. There is still a legal process that needs to be followed and worked through.
  • You must still identify grounds for divorce. Contrary to popular belief, you still need to have “grounds” for an uncontested divorce. Even with both parties agreeing to dissolve the relationship, you will need to qualify for one of the legal grounds for getting a divorce, which, for uncontested matters, generally includes irreconcilable differences or 18 months of physical separation.
  • Disputed issues may exist. Even with both parties agreeing to an uncontested divorce, there are still legal issues that will need to be sorted out. Just about every couple has to decide the following issues: alimony, child custody, visitation, child support, and division of assets. .

If you decide to pursue an NJ uncontested divorce , you should work with a highly qualified family law attorney. By doing so, you are ensuring your case will be handled in a professional and expedient manner. At Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC, our practice is dedicated to providing New Jersey legal support for divorce cases.

Could Your Couple Tattoo Lead You to a Divorce Attorney in New Jersey?

Over the last decade, more people in the state and throughout the country have branded themselves with tattoos.  Many tattoos are of images, yet some take the shape of lettering.  Some bleeding hearts go as far as showcasing the name of lovers and spouses.  Could your couple tattoo lead you to a divorce attorney in New Jersey?  Some celebrity couples have had the unfortunate experience of jinxing their union by getting tattoos.  Here are three, widely-known celebrities who have made the inking mishap.

Angelina Jolie
Angelina made the mistake not one, not two, but three times!  She first got the letter, ‘H’ branded on her wrist to symbolize her love for then boyfriend, Timothy Hutton.   Did you get an initial of your loved one, then found yourself at the office of a divorce attorney in New Jersey?  Don’t fret, you can do the same as Angelina; she now tells people that the ‘H’ stands for her brother, James Haven.  Hopefully, you love someone that shares an initial with your ex too!

Pamela Anderson
Pam Anderson fell hard for rocker, Tommy Lee.  After dating for under a week, the couple decided to get one another’s name tattooed on their finger.  After some scandal and hardship, the relationship came to a close warranting the need to do something about the conspicuous ink.  It is a good thing that the characters in ‘Tommy’ closely resemble those in ‘Mommy’ because that is how Pam solved her tattoo debacle.

Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp is in the hearts of many female fans across the globe, but at one point, his heart solely belonged to Winona Ryder.  He was so enamored with her that he decided to get the sentiment, “Winona Forever” tattooed on his arm.  The couple’s relationship did not land them at a divorce attorney in New Jersey, but they did split up.  Johnny did not opt for altering his tattoo to symbolize his love for another person; he opted to idolize his love of drinking by changing the brand to say “Wino Forever.”

Getting a tattoo to symbolize the love of your sweetheart is an endearing sentiment, yet what happens if your love meets the same fate as the above celebrities?  Before you pay a visit to your nearest tattoo parlor, think about the chance of one day finding yourself meeting with a divorce attorney in New Jersey.  It may save you some money on the ink as well as the exercise in creativity to find a way to alter your tattoo!

New Jersey Divorce Lawyers Collide with 21st Century Technology

Technology is supposed to make things easier, right?  Well, for New Jersey divorce lawyers, it is and it isn’t.  With a new wave of technology, lawyers navigate the whitewater of technology-based divorce in New Jersey.

So, what is a technology-based divorce? Ask Tiger Woods or Tony Parker.  Neither of their wives needed to see lipstick on their husband’s collar or smell perfume on their clothes.  They simply had to check their husband’s cell phone. Today, more and more spouses are citing technology—cell phones, Facebook, e-mail, etc.—as evidence in their divorce cases.

In fact, the social networking phenomenon, Facebook, is now being cited in 1 out of every 5 divorce cases.  New Jersey divorce lawyers are presented with incriminating photos, status updates, and other information posted on the site.  While it should come as no surprise, sites like Facebook can provide powerful evidence in a New Jersey divorce.

Naturally, as New Jersey divorce lawyers, we pay close attention to how these technologies impact courtroom rulings.  But, as human beings, we’re also curious how this technology is affecting society and our marriages.  A British study conducted in 2008 found that 80% of people boot up high-tech gadgets before going to sleep.  And of that 80%, 33% send and receive texts/e-mails while in bed. That can’t be good for intimacy.

So, we invite you, our readers, to share some your thoughts on technology and its impact on divorce in New Jersey.

Basic Information about a New Jersey Restraining Order

You may have experienced a bad relationship or divorce with your former partner.  A New Jersey restraining order is a reality and solution for those who feel their safety and personal space is threatened by another person.

A New Jersey restraining order is a civil order issued by a judge.  The order provides protection against the presence of unwanted parties such as a former spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, present or former household member, and other parties identified in the restraining order.

The precipitating events and reasons to seek a New Jersey restraining order vary, but most seek such an order because they feel threatened by another person.  Events of domestic violence often precede the need for a New Jersey restraining order.  In general, if a family member or other person attempts to harm you (with our without a weapon) or gives you reason to believe they are planning to harm you, then that person may have committed an act of domestic violence.

Domestic violence occurs in many forms.  People may seek a New Jersey restraining order as a derivative of the following actions: assault, terroristic threats, kidnapping, criminal mischief, false imprisonment, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking.

New Jersey temporary restraining orders can be granted by means of an emergency order when the courts are closed and can be facilitated by contacting local police or 911.  A final restraining order is granted once both parties are given the opportunity to tell their side of the story and the judge decides the temporary restraining order should be made permanent in order to protect the safety and well-being of the victim.

Obtaining a New Jersey restraining order can result in the following:

–          A no-contact provision that prohibits the abuser from communicating with the victim

–          An order that permits the abuser to remove limited items from a previously shared space in the company of a law officer

–          Emergency financial support from the abuser, including support for minors

–          Temporary sole possession of the home for the abused

Choosing Your NJ Divorce Lawyer

A period of divorce and separation is not pleasant, yet choosing the right NJ divorce lawyer can aid in easing anxiety and facilitating the ideal outcome for you.  Choosing a divorce lawyer is not as simple as thumbing through the Yellow Pages or ‘Googling’ an associated phrase into your computer.  Take some time in searching for the best NJ divorce lawyer available for your predicament.  Here are some helpful tips to facilitate your search:

To begin, it is important to choose a lawyer or firm that is experienced in family law.  Lawyers and firms can be well diversified in many areas of law, yet it is best to choose a firm that hosts one or several attorneys that primarily focus on family law.  An NJ divorce lawyer must have significant courtroom experience as well as pass a set of rigorous tests in order to become certified in this specific area of practice.  In addition, to maintain certification, they must regularly continue their education each year.

Secondly, lawyers have their own legalese language, which is used in documentation and in communicating with cohorts, judges, and associated parties, yet there is no need to be confusing to clients.  Choose a lawyer that can explain your predicament and options in plain English.  Knowing how to relate to clients is a huge part of being a successful NJ divorce lawyer; conveying technical jargon will only make the client more confused and nervous in regards to their specific situation.

Going through a divorce or separation is a highly personal predicament.  You will want to align yourself with a NJ divorce lawyer that is kind, understanding, and can relate to you on both a professional and personal level.  Choose a lawyer that makes you feel comfortable divulging all necessary information and personal history germane to your case.

Unfortunately, many separations and divorces involve children.  It is important to choose an NJ divorce lawyer who will be sensitive to the needs and ongoing happiness of your children.  Counsel that pushes for vindictive settlements or drawn-out hearings are not emphasizing the mental well being of children.

Lastly, choose an NJ divorce lawyer who is dedicated to their craft and passionate about helping their clients.  Impressive experiences and settlement history may be attractive and a ‘selling point’ for some counselors, yet divorce settlements warrant professionals who are caring and concerned for their clients.