Alimony Modification in New Jersey Suppose that for the past three years you have been receiving a certain amount per week in alimony. Next suppose that your ex-husband loses the job he held for twelve years. Further assume that he accepts a lower-paying job. Now imagine that you are the…
The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Supreme Court recently heard a dispute over a $2,500,000 post-divorce bonus. The couple, Bernice Aucoin-Thieme and Michael Thieme, had only been married for about 15 months at the time their divorce. Question: Should the Years of Cohabitation Before Marriage Be Considered? The Hudson County…
On September 15, 2016, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt separated. Jolie filed for divorce two days later. The famous couple, called “Brangelina” by their fans, had been together since 2004 and married in 2014. Jolie’s spokespersons have said that she is doing it for the “health of her family.” She…
Until 2007 most divorce complaints were based on separation or extreme cruelty. The separation claim required the couple to live apart for 18 months before filing for divorce. The extreme cruelty complaint required the claimant to accuse the other spouse of specific acts of cruelty. In 2007, however, a new…
Mediation can be a desirable alternative to litigation for New Jersey divorcing couples. In mediation an unbiased third party, the mediator, guides the couple and helps them work towards an amicable solution. The most important factor is that both parties are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair and…
We have a mobile society, and after separation or divorce, it is not uncommon for one of the spouses to move out of state. If either of them later decides to file for divorce or to request a modification in a divorce, then residing in two different states—or even different…
A report issued in March 2016 by the CDC’s National Center for Health Resources describes the results of a study conducted to determine trends in Americans’ attitudes towards social changes from 2002 to 2013. Data was based on the National Survey of Family Growth for 2002, 2006–2010, and 2011–2013; for…
On May 25, 2016, Amber Heard filed for divorce from Johnny Depp, her husband of fifteen months. She named “irreconcilable differences” as grounds for divorce. Heard also asked for temporary spousal support, but that request was denied. A few days after filing, Heard asked for and was granted a temporary…
Once alimony is determined by the Court, changing it requires a change in circumstances. One circumstance that is often cited as a reason to reduce or eliminate alimony is cohabitation. The New Jersey Alimony Reform Act, which became law in 2014, clarified the definition of “cohabitation.” A few recent cases…
On June 19, 2016, Father’s Day will be celebrated by fathers throughout New Jersey. Most divorce agreements state that Father’s Day will be included in the father’s parenting time. For many divorced dads, however, this will be a bittersweet day. As much as they enjoy spending the day with their…