Blog | M. Hart Divorce & Family Law

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...

2/13/14

5 Powerful Ways To Take Charge of Your Divorce Now!

You might know the old saying “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Ending a marriage is tough. The undoing of life as you know it is tough. So how can you get going? Here are 5 actions to take immediately: 1. Take much needed time to grieve while reaching out for emotional support. Consult a mental health therapist or coach as...

1/31/14

4 Smart Ways to Protect Your Small Business in Divorce

If you are a small business owner going through divorce, it is common to feel protective of the business that you created. After all, you have nurtured your business and watched it grow, much like a child. If you started your business during the marriage, chances are it is a marital asset. Therefore, under New Jersey’s law of “equitable distribution”, it is subject to being...

1/20/14

How to Break Free of Conflict in Divorce and Beyond

I’d like to share a wake-up call I experienced just recently that could help when conflict inevitably arises. A little over a week ago, I received shocking and upsetting news. My dear friend Wendy had passed away unexpectedly. She was only 48 years old with a husband and a 9 year old son. During the memorial held for Wendy last week, several loved ones and...

1/13/14

Should You Litigate, Mediate or Collaborate in Your Divorce?

If you’re thinking about getting a divorce or your spouse has told you that he or she wants a divorce, this can be without a doubt one of the most difficult times in your life. It can feel like a rug has suddenly been pulled out from under your feet. At the same time, it can feel overwhelming and scary if you don’t know where...

1/2/14

How Cutting Corners in Your Divorce Could Cost You More in the Long Run

You want to spend as little as possible on your divorce; I get it. Perhaps you have limited financial resources and there are no additional funds for attorneys. Maybe you’ve heard the commonly expressed belief that you can save money by working out the issues in your divorce privately or with a mediator and avoid getting lawyers involved. You believe that if you hire lawyers...

12/6/13

How You Can Leverage Technology to Transform Co-Parenting Communication

If you’re in the midst of a divorce or are already divorced, you might have experienced that co-parenting your children with your ex can be quite challenging. Yet, at the same time, it is essential for the emotional well-being of your children that they are kept out of the middle of any disputes between you and the other parent. Therefore, you might want to set...

11/22/13

Divorce and the Holidays: How to Handle Who Gets the Kids

With the holiday season approaching as you go through divorce, it’s common to feel stressed, uncertain, and awkward about how to handle new situations like the first holiday in a single parent household. Ideally, you and your spouse have discussed a plan for where the children will spend the holidays. Perhaps you’ve already successfully negotiated a custody and parenting time arrangement even if it has...