New Jersey Family Law

NEW JERSEY DIVORCE LAWYER MEDIATOR ARBITRATOR BERGEN ESSEX HUDSON MORRIS COUNTY

Although the New Jersey divorce judge concluded that the mother did not engage in acts of child abuse and neglect, the Law Guardian for the child disagreed and appealed. The Appellate Division agrees with the Guardian and reverses.     In The Matter of D.G., Jr., New Jersey Appellate Division, May 25, 2012

PARENTAL ALIENATION DIVORCE MONTCLAIR SHORT HILLS ESSEX COUNTY NJ LAWYER MEDIATION

When one parent accuses the other of "Parental Alienation," it is not unusual to have more than one mental health professional and more than one Parenting Coordinator involved in the esnuing litigation.       Lane v. Lane, Jr., New Jersey App. Div., May 2, 2012

CHILD NAME CHANGE CUSTODY PARENTS NEW JERSEY MEDIATOR ATTORNEY

The primary custodial parent's choice of name for a child is presumptively in that child's best interests. This includes children born during marriage, as well as those born out of wedlock.    Holst-Knudsen f/k/a Mikisch v. Mikisch, N.J. Super. (App. Div. 2012); New Jersey App. Div., April 17, 2102

NEW JERSEY DIVORCE FAMILY LAW MEDIATION CHILD PROTECTION DYFS

In order to successfully sue an employee of the New Jersey Department of Youth and Family Services [DYFS], a claimant must plead and prove "willful misconduct" in order to surmount the protections of the New Jersey Tort Claims Act [N.J.S.A. 59:1-1 to 12-3].      Reinhardt v. Ortiz, New Jersey App. Div., April 11, 2012

KINELON BUTLER CHESTER MENDHAM MORRIS COUNTY NJ DIVORCE MEDIATION ARBITRATION ATTORNEY

Instead of making a custody determination based on an assessment of the statutory factors, the trial court abdicated its responsibility by allowing the child to decide with whom she lives. The decision is reversed.     Johnson v. Mack, New Jersey App. Div., March 14, 2012

RANDOLPH ROCKAWAY RIVERDALE HARDING MORRIS COUNTY NJ DIVORCE MEDIATION LAWYER

In a New Jersey contested child custody proceeding, a parent does not have the right to have all custody-expert interviews audio-recorded.    Koch v. Koch, N.J.Super. (Ch. Div. 2012); New Jersey Ch.Div., March 10, 2012

HOBOKEN JERSEY CITY KEARNY WEEHAWKEN HUDSON COUNTY NJ DIVORCE MEDIATION LAWYER

The mother's contention that she was deprived of "due process" as a result of a "surprise" custody hearing is rejected.      L. A. v. P.Q., New Jersey App. Div., March 7, 2012

MOUNTAINSIDE MURRAY HILL WESTFIELD SUMMIT UNION COUNTY NJ DIVORCE MEDIATOR ARBITRATOR ATTORNEY

New Jersey spouses are divorced from one another, but a child is not divorced from her/his parents.   Statt v. Statt, New Jersey App. Div., March 5, 2012

FORT LEE HARRINGTON PARK RIDGEWOOD RAMSEY BERGEN COUNTY NJ DIVORCE MEDIATION

The New Jersey application for physical and legal custody is dismissed, with direction to pursue any further litigation in New York.    Knowles v. Santiago, New Jersey App. Div., March 1, 2012

MAYWOOD WALDWICK WESTWOOD WYCKOFF BERGEN COUNTY NEW JERSEY DIVORCE MEDIATION ATTORNEY

Because the parties had joint legal custody, the New Jersey divorce judge erred in applying a presumption that the primary custodial parent has priority in naming a child.       Emma v. Evans,     N.J. Super.     (App. Div. 2012); New Jersey App. Div., February 2, 2012