In Sacklow v. Betts, a case of first impression, Hon. Marcia Silva, J.S.C. a Chancery Division judge in Middlesex County, decided that the “best interest of the child” standard applies when a considering whether to allow a transgender child to change his or her legal name. Janet Sacklow, the child’s…
This week the Northern Hemisphere celebrated the Summer Solstice which marks the longest day of the year and the official start of the summer season. The month of June also brings with it the end of the school here in New Jersey and the many high school graduations. In New…
On June 5, 2017 the Appellate Division approved for publication its opinion in the matter of TMS-v-WCP, A-4900-15T2, which involves reinstatement of a final domestic violence restraining OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA order. In 2006 Plaintiff obtained a temporary restraining order against the defendant. After defendant admitted to the act of domestic…
For attorneys and litigants alike, the legal fees attendant to the handling of a divorce matter are an important consideration. When it comes to legal fees, time is money. Because our Rules of Court prohibit the handling of divorce cases on a contingent fee basis, legal services are billed based…
Summer is upon us. Summer brings with it holidays, family time, holiday preparations and expectations, and some stress brought on by kids being home for the summer. The reality is that families that have problems often argue and fight at holiday time. The summer is unkind to rocky relationships. This is due…
In the published opinion in the matter of Division of Child Protection and Permanency v. T.U.B. & J.E.C., (A-2565-15T2) the trial court terminated the Defendant’s parental rights in a Title 30 guardianship case based upon the admission of hearsay statements by children about corroborated allegations of abuse or neglect pursuant to…
We have all now probably seen or heard the public service announcement of “If you see something, say something.” which is usually in the context of witnessing suspicious package or person. On May 17, 2017 the Supreme Court of New Jersey, in affirming the ruling the of the Appellate Division…
This week the Honorable Stephen Hansbury, P.J. Ch. published a Superior Court opinion that demonstrates how technology and social media is changing the legal landscape and creating new challenges and solutions. In the published opinion in KA v. JL, in which Judge Hansbury addressed a cause of action that…
I was at a social event recently. A woman attending that event, after learning that I was a divorce attorney, came up to me. She told me that her ex-husband had just filed court papers seeking to modify or terminate her alimony payments. With indignation in her voice she explained…
There is a saying among realtors that the first offer is usually the best offer. Why is that? Because the first offer is made when the property is freshly on the market. When real estate sits buyers become suspicious. There is also the cost of holding the property to factor…