Blog | M. Hart Divorce & Family Law

6/27/14

Will Collaborative Divorce Become New Jersey Law?

This week, the New Jersey Assembly approved The Family Collaborative Law Act, which would allow divorcing couples to obtain a “collaborative divorce” in New Jersey. Collaborative Divorce is similar to mediation but generally more effective because both spouses have their own attorney and there is a team environment where additional professionals are added as needed. The result is that spouses end up getting “the best...

6/12/14

Update 2014: Will There Be Changes to the New Jersey Alimony Law?

You might be familiar with the recent movement in New Jersey to reform the current New Jersey alimony law. It appears that momentum for alimony reform has strengthened since the changes to Massachusetts alimony laws went into effect in March 2012. If you or someone you know is going through a divorce and alimony is an issue or there is already a divorce and alimony...

5/28/14

6 Key Ways to Stay Out of Court and Get What You Want in Your Divorce or Child Custody Case

If you and your spouse are in the process of divorce or if and your co-parent are not married but have a child and are involved in a child custody case, you generally have two choices: you can agree on the issues out of court or let a judge decide them for you. Agreement is typically the far better option. You have much more ability...

5/15/14

How to Reduce Conflict When Negotiating Your Divorce Agreement

One of the best and most cost-effective ways to get a divorce is to successfully negotiate a divorce agreement with your spouse to resolve the issues in your divorce such as custody, parenting time, child support, distribution of assets and debt, and alimony. While part of your lawyer’s job is to negotiate on your behalf with your spouse’s lawyer, you should be actively involved in...

4/27/14

Don’t Be So Negative! Real Ways to “Think Positive” and Avoid Conflict

Perhaps you find yourself experiencing negative thoughts and emotions more than you would like. You might wonder why you are so angry all the time, particularly at a certain person, or why worrisome thoughts keep you awake at night. You might have heard the trite advice to “think positive” as if you could wave a magic wand over yourself and you’d be magically transformed to...

4/7/14

Neutralize Conflict by Effectively Managing Your Emotions

An essential component of the ability to neutralize conflict in any situation is an awareness that you are responsible for the relationships you want to have in your life and the circumstances you want to create. Many times we find ourselves in conflict with another person when both of you communicate from emotion, such as anger, frustration, or hurt. Believe it or not, it ...

3/30/14

A New Way to Divorce

Are you put off by divorce lawyers who promote conflict and stir up hostility while racking up hefty hourly fees? The good news is that there is a better way to divorce. The approach I use is intended to reduce conflict in a way that is cost-effective by focusing on creating lasting results that are designed to meet your most important needs, interests, and goals...

3/19/14

Did the New Jersey Teen’s Lawsuit Against Her Parents Ever Stand a Chance?

It’s now official – after the 18-year-old New Jersey high school student, Rachel Canning, moved back home last week, she reportedly went back to court today to formally dismiss her highly publicized lawsuit filed against her parents for financial support. Rachel Canning had left the home where she lived with her parents and her siblings after reportedly refusing to abide by her parents’ rules and...

3/6/14

How to Avoid Heading Back to Court After Your Divorce

It’s common to want to get the divorce process over with as quickly as possible, much like root canal. Understandably, you might simply want to move on, especially if you have already cut ties emotionally, and you might feel the need for immediate “closure.” Rest assured, however, that there is no “closure” simply because you have that Judgment of Divorce. Issues that were not adequately...

2/24/14

5 Ways to Protect Your Children During Divorce

On a daily basis, we as parents look to protect our children from all types of dangers that exist outside of our control. For instance, it’s common to want our children to be safe from injuries, malicious strangers, and to limit their exposure to inappropriate content on the internet and social media, television, and movies. Fortunately, when you and your spouse are going through the...