Never did I imagine I would be writing a blog post about parenting your kids in the time of a pandemic as the coronavirus sweeps its way around the world and has temporarily forced us into our homes. With companies shuttered, schools closed, and curfews in place for many, we are faced with the reality…
When is a supported spouse’s proof of a mutually supportive intimate personal relationship with another person enough to overcome the first step in the process towards terminating alimony? In the recently issued unpublished (not precedential) decision of Goethals v. Goethals, the Appellate Division reversed a trial court’s decision finding that the payor failed to fulfill…
On January 23, 2020, the New Jersey Appellate Division issued a published decision in a matter with which I am involved as to when a person may appear at trial and present testimony by way of contemporaneous video transmission. This decision is the Appellate Division’s attempt to fill the void regarding a unique and evolving…
While Liar Liar debuted in the box office in March of 1997, it still holds up as one of the great courtroom comedies. Starring Jim Carrey in his prime as attorney Fletcher Reede, he deals with matrimonial law-related issues in both his personal life – as his ex-wife is considering moving across the country with…
Vikki Ziegler will be appearing live on January 15th at 12pm EST on the Law & Crime network to cover the Groves trial. The Groves trial is the tragic case of a baby who was killed after child services removed the baby from his biological parents and was then found dead shortly after returning him…
Are you having trouble collecting monies against your former spouse? Are they evading every single Court Order and refusing to pay the money that you are entitled to? If so, then you’ve come to the right place to get the money that you rightly deserve. In May 2019, the Appellate Division held in Orlowski v.…
Well that’s it. Just like that the decade is over and the “Roaring” 2020s are here. Before we can discuss where we are going, however, we need to look back to where we’ve been in the last decade. Smartphones took over. Regular television was largely replaced by Netflix and other streaming services. Social media became…
Historically, January tends to be one of the busiest months of the year for a divorce lawyer. Most clients have muddled through the holidays and go into the new year with a new perspective. Sometimes that means making major life changes, like divorce. If you’re gearing up for your first conversation with a divorce lawyer,…
The entertainment industry is buzzing with Golden Globe nominations just being announced. One movie with a significant amount of nominations is Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story. It has gotten rave reviews and has additionally been the talk of the matrimonial law community. **CAUTION – SPOILERS AHEAD** Without getting into too much detail (because it is worth…
Going through one of the most difficult times in your life during the holidays is tough, but it can be tougher when you are alone and away from your children. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or New Year’s, these are all holidays where gathering with family and spending quality time together is…
Most of what trial lawyers do is learned from a collection of other sources after law school ends and we are already in practice. Continuing education centered around trial advocacy is extremely helpful. Having the luxury of working for and with experienced advocates is invaluable. Often, simply walking into any courtroom on any given day…
When the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) receives an allegation of abuse or neglect, they are mandated by law to investigate it. The investigation will end in one of four findings: Substantiated, Established, Not Established or Unfounded. “Established” and “Substantiated” are both considered findings of abuse or neglect and allow the accused party…
In a significant new decision, A.J. v. R.J., ___ N.J. Super. ___ (App. Div. 2019), the Appellate Division addressed both sanctions for violations of custody/parenting time Orders and confirmed that the interstate relocation standard established in Bisbing v. Bisbing must be applied to both interstate and intrastate relocation applications. Background The case stems from Plaintiff,…
As many of you may know, our very own Vikki Ziegler recently appeared on the Dr. Oz Show discussing the concept of a “sleep divorce”. What is sleep divorce you ask? Snoring, body heat, restless legs, wanting more space, needing the room at a certain temperature, light sleep, different schedules. These are just some of…
It is unusual for a matrimonial practitioner in the State of New Jersey to comment on a Federal Court decision or any other decision which does not arise directly from the Family Part of the Superior Court of New Jersey. It is even more unusual to comment on a decision from the United States Court…
Every year, attorneys from across New Jersey gather for the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Hot Tips in Family Law event. Throughout the program, leading matrimonial lawyers give fast-paced advice on pertinent legal issues. This year, Bobby is speaking about legal ethics and attorney misconduct. MISCONDUCT UNDER RULE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 8.4 In the highly…
