How the Duration of Your Marriage may Impact the Outcome of Your Divorce

Divorce is never easy–unfortunately, for many, it can be a financial burden as much as it is an emotional burden. If you are someone going through a divorce, you are most likely wondering what your future is going to look like, especially if you are a financially dependent spouse. When you and your spouse cannot […]

Read More

What Happens if I Move out of my Marital Home During a Divorce?

When you are getting a divorce, the emotional and personal differences you and your spouse have are very often augmented while you continue to live with one another. When you and your spouse are enduring the divorce process, which is very often long and grueling, you may feel it is simply impossible to continue cohabitating. […]

Read More

What is a Contested Divorce?

If you and your spouse are ready to get a divorce, you probably realize that grounds for divorce are not always agreed upon. Fortunately, since New Jersey is a “no-fault” divorce state, you may cite irreconcilable differences as an appropriate grounds for divorce. Unfortunately, several issues prevent a divorce from being uncontested. Contested divorces usually […]

Read More

What is a Post-Judgment Modification?

At the end of your divorce proceeding, the judge will draft an order detailing the terms of your divorce, as well as the potential consequences for violating those terms in any way. However, if circumstances have changed in either your life or your previous spouse’s life, you may request a modification from the court. If […]

Read More

Support Payments After a Divorce in New Jersey

Couples often intertwine their lives in several different ways over the length of their marriage. This may be through finances or their children. It is because of this that divorces are a difficult process. This requires the spouses to separate their lives after combining them. In many situations, one spouse may be required by the […]

Read More

Collaborative Divorce

Not an Oxymoron:  Collaborative Divorce is an intelligent and dignified alternative to the traditional divorce process, gaining ground in New Jersey, and now available in Sussex County.  There is a better option to traditional litigation. Collaborative Divorce is a cost-effective, confidential and emotionally healthier alternative to litigation.  In Collaborative Divorce, children are the priority and […]

Read More

What factors are considered in equitable distribution?

Divorce proceedings are many times complicated because they require the couple to make decisions on a number of different factors. Perhaps the most complex part of a divorce, other than matters concerning children, is the equitable distribution process. This process is where the couple lays out all of their marital assets and liabilities and then […]

Read More

Is permanent alimony still available in New Jersey?

Some people want to know what their options are when it comes to spousal support, which is often called alimony or spousal maintenance. Basically, it just allows a person to collect payments from their spouse after they have gotten divorced in order to maintain financial stability. Generally, this is administered if one spouse brings in […]

Read More

How can I help my children deal with our divorce?

Affected even more than the people who are actually getting divorced are the children of the divorcing couple. One of the biggest reasons that children feel the harshest impacts of their parents’ divorce is because their life is changing dramatically and they don’t have any control over the situation. No matter the age of the […]

Read More

Are there benefits to divorce through mediation?

When a couple decides to get a divorce, there are many decisions that need to be made. This process as a whole can be incredibly overwhelming, not only because there are so many different aspects that need to be considered, but also because ending a long relationship is naturally a very emotional time. Everyone’s situation […]

Read More

Am I legally required to have an attorney for my divorce?

When many people go through a divorce, they usually will retain the services of an experienced divorce attorney. However, you are not legally required to do so. You are technically allowed to represent yourself for your divorce whether you get divorced in court or through mediation. If you and your spouse choose to get a divorce […]

Read More

When is Spousal Maintenance or Alimony Awarded in NJ?

Alimony, like custody, is one of the most disputed and controversial issues we face as attorneys. It’s difficult to tell somebody they have to pay alimony and the person receiving alimony often times believes that the amount is insufficient. There’s a series of statutory factors that have to be considered when this analysis is performed. Certainly, […]

Read More

What Should I Do if I am Covered Under My Spouse’s Health Insurance?

A question that people often ask me is, “When I get divorced, will I still be covered under my spouse’s health insurance?” The answer is usually, no. When two people get divorced, they are no longer considered spouses under the definition of the health insurance requirements. Therefore, you can no longer continue to be covered. […]

Read More

What is the Difference Between Contested and Uncontested Divorce?

The difference between a contested and an uncontested divorce simply means that the parties have reached an agreement called a marital settlement agreement and have resolved all of the issues in their case. A contested divorce is a case where the parties do not have an agreement on every issue and are required to go […]

Read More

What Happens to Inheritance in a Divorce?

One of the components of equitable distribution is inheritance and how should I address or handle inheritance. Hopefully, if that inheritance has been kept in a separate account and not co-mingled it, that asset will not be considered part of equitable distribution. Problems occur when those monies have been commingled. Comingled means you have put […]

Read More

What Does Equitable Distribution Mean?

A common question surrounds the issue of equitable distribution. What is equitable distribution? Typically, equitable distribution addresses the assets and liabilities that exist in a marriage. If you speak to an attorney and once you become a part of this process, you’ll learn that we talk about what are the assets and debts that accumulated […]

Read More

My Spouse Cheated on Me. Does this Help Me in My Divorce?

When you come in for a consultation to my office, I’m going to take you through a series of questions. I do it for two purposes, one because I need this information. Secondly, you’ll see that the information that I ask is predominantly geared towards your finances, your assets, the income, the liabilities. The fact […]

Read More

I Have Been Served with a Summons, What Should I Do Next?

If you’ve been served with a Complaint for Divorce, don’t panic. That’s the first thing I like to tell people. You should come in and speak to an attorney. An attorney who’s experienced in these matters will allay your concerns and fears. You have sufficient time. The summons will say you have 35 days, but […]

Read More

I Filed for Divorce and My Spouse Cut Me Off Financially

It’s truly unfortunate, but in a divorce, some people play games. They do things that unfortunately escalate the costs. One of those games is that someone files for divorce and they cut off their dependent spouse. I often write letters to people. If I represent the spouse who’s the stay-at-home partner and needs the monies […]

Read More

What is a Divorce from Bed and Board?

The divorce from bed and board is a statutory creature that has really helped us today, in particular, with the cost of medical insurance coverage. A divorce from bed and board divorces you in all respects except, under the law, you’re still considered married. You can’t remarry and when you file your tax returns you […]

Read More

How Does a Legal Separation work in New Jersey?

We really don’t have legal separation in New Jersey. A legal separation is basically a divorce without the final step. You’ve addressed, custody parenting time, child support, alimony, if any, and you’ve done all of the equitable distribution that’s necessary. You’ve signed an agreement which controls how you live from that point forward, but you […]

Read More

When I Get a NJ Divorce, Will I Lose My Health Insurance?

The answer is usually, no. When two people get divorced, they are no longer considered spouses under the definition of the health insurance requirements. There is something else called the divorce from bed and board which allows health insurance coverage to be extended to a spouse beyond the date of the judgement. It is the […]

Read More

Is a Business Marital Property In My New Jersey Divorce?

If the business was created during the marriage, it is subject to equitable distribution. One of the factors that the court will examine is both party’s involvement in that business. Generally speaking, it’s an asset subject to equitable distribution. The increase in value, and arguably, the decrease in value, are subject to equitable distribution. Experts […]

Read More

How does an Uncontested Divorce Work?

Uncontested divorces are those where there is already an agreement in place because all of the issues surrounding the marriage, including support, parenting time and custody, and equitable distribution have already been decided. Parties will go to court and they’ll already have a signed agreement in hand. That agreement will become part of the final […]

Read More

I Have Been Served With Summons in NJ, What Should I Do?

If you’ve been served with a complaint for divorce, don’t panic. The summons will tell you that you have 35 days, but those days can be expanded upon. The first step is finding an attorney that you’re comfortable with, has the skill-set that you need to have your divorce handled appropriately and effectively, and sit […]

Read More

What is Equitable Distribution in New Jersey?

Equitable distribution addresses the assets and liabilities that exist in a marriage. Equitable distribution addresses what assets and debts accumulated between the date of the marriage to the date the complaint for divorce was filed. Anything that’s acquired between those two dates is in the pot for equitable distribution. We predominantly start off with a […]

Read More

What Happens to an Inheritance in a Divorce in NJ?

If that inheritance has been kept in a separate account and not co-mingled it, that asset will not be considered part of equitable distribution. When those monies have been comingled, we have the difficulties in trying to establish that some component of that asset, now, that it has been comingled, is not subject to equitable […]

Read More

What is a Case Information Statement and How do I Complete It?

The purpose of the Case Information Statement, which we call a CIS, is to provide an overview of your entire financial situation. The first section usually deals with your personal information The next section of the form deals with your income and the income of your spouse. The next section encompasses your shelter expenses, whether […]

Read More

What is a Motion and How Does It Work?

A motion is an application to the court where you’re requesting that the court either take some sort of action or grant you some sort of relief. Any party to a matter can file a motion. The adversary has a chance to either respond to that motion, oppose that motion, or request their own relief. […]

Read More

What is Alimony Reform in NJ?

We’ve eliminated the concept of permanent alimony. In its place, the legislator has substituted the phrase “Open durational alimony”. You can never receive alimony greater than the length of your marriage, except in exceptional circumstances. If you’re married 10 years, you would typically only receive alimony up to 10 years. The law now provides a […]

Read More

When is Alimony Awarded in NJ?

There’s a series of statutory factors that have to be considered when courts and mediators decide on alimony. Certainly, you look to the age of the parties. The length of the marriage is critical. The incomes that people have earned, their abilities, their educational backgrounds, their child-rearing responsibilities are some of the factors that are […]

Read More

Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Hopatcong, New Jersey

Paris P. Eliades is honored to serve the people of Hopatcong, New Jersey with quality legal services related to divorce and family law. Hopatcong is a wonderful borough that features excellent restaurants, wonderful recreational activities, marinas, and an old country charm. Hopatcong has natural beauty and celebrates a bustling culture around and on the biggest […]

Read More