New Jersey Family Law

SOUTH ORANGE ESSEX COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE MEDIATION ATTORNEY

Even though the World Series is over, baseball is still headline news. The buzz is about divorce filings by Frank and Jamie McCourt, whose marital assets include the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their allegations include : she's a lawyer, but didn't know what she was doing when she signed their prenup; their assets exceed $1.2 billion dollars; his claim that she's having an affair with her chauffeur; and her claimed lifestyle expenses, greater than the combined salaries of players Matt Kemp, James Loney, Clayton Kershaw, Jonathan Broxton and Chad Billingsley.    McCourt v. McCourt, November 16, 2009

GILLETTE MORRIS COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE MEDIATION LAWYER ALIMONY

Shaquille O'Neal's wife is splitting up with the Cleveland Cavaliers center. Va'Shaundya O'Neal filed for divorce Monday, citing irreconcilable differences, and seeks spousal and child support with custody of the couple's 4 children. "Obviously, this is a difficult time for our family and we request that the media respect our privacy," Shaquille O'Neal said in a statement released by the team Tuesday night. The O'Neals were married 6 years, 11 months. O'Neal is a 15-time All-Star center with 4 NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. He was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Cavaliers in June. Associated Press, November 10, 2009

HOBOKEN HUDSON COUNTY NEW JERSEY PALIMONY ATTORNEY

50 Cent, aka Curtis James Jackson, sought dismissal of his ex-girlfriend's claims. She claimed half of his multimillion-dollar estate and future income, arguing he orally promised to "take care of her for the rest of her life." He argued the alleged oral agreement violated the Statute of Frauds. The court agreed and found the purported agreement was made when the parties lived together as lovers. While his statements demonstrated loving devotion, they also undermined her breach of contract claim. The court ruled the services for which she sought compensation arose out of the nature of the relationship, and ordinarily would be exchanged without expectation of payment. Also, the oral agreement was unenforceable as lacking in specifics, and violated the Statute of Frauds. Thus, the complaint was dismissed.  Tomkins v. Jackson, Supreme Court, New York County, February 10, 2009

SHORT HILLS ESSEX COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE ATTORNEY MEDIATION

Madonna, the "Material Girl", will pay some $76 million to $92 million to her former husband Guy Ritchie, a spokesman said, putting the former couple's split at No. 4 on the Forbes list of the most expensive celebrity divorces. The settlement includes the value of the couple's country estate and valued at $14 million when the couple purchased it in 2001--and the Punchbowl pub in London, which the couple purchased for $5 million in March 2008. The custody arrangement for the couple's children, Rocco and David, has reportedly not been finalized. Madonna also has a daughter from a previous relationship.    Forbes.com, December 15, 2008

TEANECK BERGEN COUNTY NEW JERSEY PRENUPTIAL MEDIATION

Media magnate Sumner Redstone has filed for divorce from his wife of 5 years, Paula Fortunato, citing irreconcilable differences.  The split comes as the 85-year-old chairman of Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp. faces financial difficulties. His family-owned holding company, National Amusements Inc., is scrambling to restructure $1.6 billion in debt after it violated the covenants of its bank agreements.  A prenuptial agreement signed by Fortunato before she married Redstone in April 2003 stipulates that she receive at least $5 million, or $1 million for each year of their union.  Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2008

SPRINGFIELD UNION COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE MEDIATION LAWYER

Their stormy marriage is over, custody of their daughter has been decided and the divorce decree signed, but the McGreevey-Matos slugfest continues. They head back to Judge Karen Cassidy in Elizabeth today for a decision on whether former governor James E. McGreevey should pay Dina Matos the $110,000 the court ordered him to pay, or be allowed to wait until his ex-wife turns over money from her retirement fund. The monetary acrimony is only the latest in a series of squabbles that continued unabated despite the divorce trial. Other questions include her claim he defrauded because he knew he was gay and whether McGreevey's partner may spend tens of thousands of dollars on private schooling for 6-year-old Jacqueline McGreevey at a prestigious preparatory academy over Matos' objections. McGreevey v. McGreevey, Newark Star Ledger, September 9, 2008

 

SPRINGFIELD UNION COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE ATTORNEY

Call it a grand-slam for ex-Governor Jim McGreevey. The 44 page opinion issued by New Jersey divorce Judge Karen Cassidy hands him a clear cut victory. No alimony, no celebrity good will, no sharing of his book profits and his ex-wife has to pay for her own legal fees [half a million dollars and counting]. Given this lopsided win, and the prior history of anger between the warring couple, can an appeal be far behind? McGreevey v. McGreevey, August 8, 2008

RIDGEWOOD BERGEN COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE ATTORNEY

Tyco's imprisoned former chief, Dennis Kozlowski, and his second wife, Karen, have reached a divorce settlement. Mr. Kozlowski, 61, signed the papers at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York, where he is serving eight-and-a-third to 25 years in prison after being convicted of helping to steal $137 million from Tyco. Karen Mayo is a one-time waitress who married Mr. Kozlowski in 2001 in Antigua. The couple's Boca Raton home will be on the market soon. The 15,000-square-foot waterfront property, purchased with Tyco loans, is set amid five lots and has a pool and tennis court. The couple has claimed this estate as their homestead, which means it may be protected from creditors under Florida law. The settlement is subject to court approval.   Bloomberg, July 14, 2008

SUMMIT UNION COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE

A tumultuous week for Alex Rodriguez came to a head when his wife filed for divorce. The 5-year marriage collapsed amid reports of a new friendship between the Yankee slugger and the 49-year-old pop singer. Played out in the sports pages and gossip magazines, the saga appeared to have taken its toll on Cynthia Rodriguez, who said in divorce papers her husband "emotionally abandoned his wife and children." The Yankees third baseman is baseball's highest-paid player  $28 million annually and was just named to his 12th all-star team. Rodriguez has refused to comment on any relationship with Madonna.      International Herald Tribune, July 1, 2008

 

LEONIA BERGEN COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE MEDIATION ATTORNEY

Charles C. Abut, Esq. was just interviewed and quoted regarding Christie Brinkley's 4th divorce and the related issue of keeping children out of the middle."The first warning flag is when parents make it about themselves," says Charlie Abut, family attorney and mediator. "'That's my day, my weekend, etc.' And the children end up being treated like belongings." Agree on what you're going to tell your children and tell them together, to avoid mixed messages. "Discuss your script ahead of time and agree on the content before you sit down with your kids," says Abut. Keep it age-appropriate; the younger they are, the shorter and sweeter the talk should be. Spend more time talking with teens. Leave out the dirty details.  New York Daily News, June 25, 2008