It is well settled that New Jersey does not recognize common law marriages. See, e.g., Crowe v. De Gioia, 90 N.J. 126, 132 (1982), where the Supreme Court reiterated its refusal "to view non-marital relationships as if they were lawful marriages" because "[t]he Legislature has proscribed common law marriages." Clayton v. Clayton, March 16, 2012
After a New Jersey divorce, cohabitation may be a "changed circumstance" forming the basis for alimony modification, if the relationship reduces the financial needs of the dependent former spouse, due to "intertwined finances." Milgraum v. Milgraum, New Jersey App. Div., September 14, 2011
The nature of the ex-wife's relationship with her lady friend was sufficient to order an evidentiary trial as to whether cohabitation was proven under New Jersey law, to either modify or terminate the ex-husband's alimony payments. Lamagra v. Lamagra, New Jersey App. Div., June 24, 2011
Although alimony should have been reduced due to cohabitation, it was error for the New Jersey judge to do so arbitrarily, without current Case Information Statements from each party. Azzari v. Azzari, New Jersey App. Div., June 2, 2011
New Jersey divorce law specifically permits Limited Duration Alimony, but it may be reduced or terminated due to cohabitation. Sorantino v. Sorantino, May 16, 2011
When sufficient "economic interdependence" is proven, New Jersey alimony payments can be terminated due to cohabitation, even without a trial or plenary hearing. Proctor, n/k/a Pizzutti v. Proctor, New Jersey App. Div., April 7, 2011
Is a landlord-tenant relationship enough to warrant alimony termination under New Jersey family law principles of "cohabitation"? Okoshi, f/k/a Okoshi Wilson v. Wilson, New Jersey App. Div., March 25, 2011
Having hired a private eye and obtained enough information regarding the ex-wife's relationship with her paramour, the ex-husband was entitled to a plenary hearing on the issue of cohabitation and the modification of alimony. Wonderlin v. Wonderlin, Jr., New Jersey App. Div., February 9, 2011
How do you prove cohabitation in order to terminate or reduce alimony? Sometimes, a private investigator is necessary. Gallagher v. Gallagher, New Jersey App. Div., November 16, 2010
After the New Jersey divorce, the father stopped paying support to the mother. So she started living with her boyfriend, who took on financial responsibility for her and her children. The ex-husband then moved to terminate alimony due to her alleged cohabitation. But the motion was denied : "plaintiff should not benefit from his failure to meet his obligations." Grace v. Grace, New Jersey App. Div., October 18, 2010
