Family | Respond Law

Court-Free Divorce: How Collaborative Divorce Protects Families, Preserves Assets and Promotes a Peaceful Transition

On July 12, 2016

Many people associate divorce with a fight-to-the-death courtroom battle where two people, who were once a couple, wage financial and emotional war on each other. There is often little regard for the undeniable victims of that war: the parties’ children, their finances and their happiness. When a judge decides the outcome of a litigated divorce, […]

What to Consider When Reconciling After Signing a Divorce Agreement

On April 13, 2016

My husband and I just signed a divorce agreement. We want to reconcile. Will this affect our agreement? About six months ago, my wife filed for divorce. We each hired attorneys and worked out a divorce settlement agreement. The process made us reflect on the years that we spent together and our children. We decided […]

Can I Effectively Bargain Away My Obligation To Pay Child Support For My Children?

On February 29, 2016

The father has agreed to be solely responsible for the support of our children if I agree to waive alimony. In other words, he will waive child support from me and I will waive alimony from him. Is this legal? Child support belongs to the child. It has been held that a parent cannot waive […]

Why You Can’t Get Your Engagement Ring Back in New Jersey

On October 28, 2015

Before I got married, I received my grandmother’s 3.5 carat diamond pendant. It has significant monetary and sentimental value. As an expression of my love and deep commitment to the one who would become my wife, I had the diamond set in an engagement ring that both of us were very proud of. Five years […]

What Is A Mid-marriage Agreement? Are They A Good Idea?

On October 14, 2015

My wife and I have some pesky marital issues that we want to resolve in an agreement that will be enforceable if ever we divorce. Can we do this in a mid-marriage agreement, and will it be enforceable? Probably not. A mid-marriage agreement is one that is typically made before separation, but when one spouse […]

In Divorce and Child Support, Beware of Good Intentions

On October 7, 2015

In April 2004, Paula and John were divorced after 13 years of marriage. Despite being divorced, Paula and John continued to live together for more than three years after the divorce. The divorce agreement directed John to pay alimony to Paula as well as child support for their three children and to contribute to their […]

Can My Spouse and I Use The Same Divorce Attorney?

On September 30, 2015

We don’t want to argue about alimony, child support or equitable distribution. Both of us want to be fair. Can we use one attorney, to save money and expedite the divorce? The Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit an attorney from entering into the representation of one client that will be directly adverse to another client. […]

Do Cheating Spouses Have to Pay More in Alimony?

On September 18, 2015

In the case of divorce, clients often ask me about fault. Does one person’s marital misconduct, like infidelity, make them responsible to pay more in alimony? Take this question: “My wife just learned of my adultery. The fact is, she can prove it. She has threatened that her lawyer will make me pay for it […]

Can My Ex Get Out of Child Support Because He Spent His Inheritance?

On September 14, 2015

“I am divorced. My ex-husband just received a significant inheritance and invested it in a new home twice the size and expense of our former marital home. Nothing seems to be left for child support or the college expenses of our son. Can he get away with this?” No. While a parent’s income earned through […]

Will My Child Support End When My Child Goes To College?

On August 18, 2015

Will my child support end when my child goes to college? No. Child support is a parent’s obligation until the child is emancipated. If your child attends college and you are contributing to the expenses, child support may be reduced. Unless your child attends a local college and continues to live at home with you […]