Family Law Issues

The attorneys of Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC provide skilled and experienced representation to clients throughout Sussex County and New Jersey in family law matters. We understand that the outcome of these matters will frame your personal life and your relationship with your children far into the future. We take that responsibility seriously and work tenaciously to protect your interests throughout the course of your family law case. If you are facing a family law matter, we recommend that you act to protect yourself and your interests by contacting a skilled lawyer. Allow our firm to review your case, guide you through your options, and help you arrive at the best possible conclusion to your family law matter. At Paris P. Eliades, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer compassionate counsel and personalized attention that eases our client’s stress while we effectively represent their interests. With years of experience serving Sussex and Morris County, we are committed, passionate, and persistent. Contact Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC for a consultation.

Adoption

Adoption is a powerful vehicle by which families can provide a loving home and a bright future for children. These parents and families selflessly open their lives and hearts to children in need of a home, enduring an often overwhelming process to do so. Adoption is a complicated legal matter and people who face the process have a lot to consider. Paris P. Eliades is ready to guide you through the process and help your growing family.

Alimony Reform

New Jersey’s alimony law significantly changed in 2014. On September 10, 2014, New Jersey amended its alimony law, N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23. This reformed law completely changes the way judges and attorneys approach alimony. The most significant change is the elimination of “permanent” alimony, which is replaced with “open durational” alimony. Courts in New Jersey can now award one or a combination of the following types of alimony: open durational, limited duration, rehabilitative and reimbursement.

Child Custody

In the United States, divorce is a reality of life. Over 50% of marriages end in divorce and when one involves children of any age, the resulting change can have profound effects. Many times, this legal matter is highly emotional and often disputed.  Both parents have worked hard to have a positive relationship with their children and the idea of sharing a child’s time is too much for some. It is crucial that these matters are handled quickly, efficiently, and with the guidance of a skilled legal professional.

Child Support

In New Jersey, parents are responsible for financially supporting their children. There is no fixed age when support ends. It can extend through college and beyond in some cases. Parents can adjust or terminate child support when their child reaches the age of 19 or becomes financially independent through the court declaring the child emancipated. The court has the authority to order parents to financially support their children.

Child Visitation

A divorce can be a painful ordeal for all involved. When a child is involved in a divorce, it can make an already emotional time too much to endure. New Jersey courts have the child’s best interests in mind at all times and when a case goes to court, the judge must first consider what’s best for the child. Whether one parent has sole custody or both have a shared custody arrangement, the court will address the home life of the child during the course of the case.

Domestic Violence

The closer the personal relationship, the greater the potential for heated arguments and violent outbursts. Fortunately, there are several New Jersey laws in place to protect individuals from domestic abuse or domestic violence. At the Paris P. Eliades Law Firm LLC, we have decades of combined experience with domestic violence laws, guiding clients through their rights as the victim. We understand the fear and frustration that follow the threat of physical violence or actual abuse. It is important that you take the proper steps to protect yourself and your children from harm.

DYFS Litigation

The Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), also recently known as DCP&P, is an agency dedicated to resolving issues regarding the well-being of children, whether with their biological parents or in foster care and other protective services. While the system is intended to protect children from dangerous situations and living environments, it can sometimes lead to severe danger and harm to the child. DYFS, like any state-run organization, is not flawless.

Enforcement Orders

When a family law issue is resolved, the court who heard the case will issue an order that is legally binding. An order requires an individual to do or cease doing something. New Jersey courts will issue orders for a myriad of reasons. In some circumstances, a party may not comply with the court’s order and in these cases, the court may have to intervene. The violation of a court order is a serious situation and a judge will be aggressive in enforcing the order.

Family Court

In New Jersey, the family division of the Superior Court hears cases related to the family. If you are involved in a family law case, you will most likely see yourself in the family court that has jurisdiction over your case. L.1983, c.405 established the family part of the Superior Court, abolishing the Domestic Relations Courts and the County Juvenile Courts.

LGBTQ Family Law

Since the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state of New Jersey, all couples are now free to formalize their commitment to each other and have the same rights as their neighbors. At Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC, we are dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation to these new marriages and growing families in all family law matters. Since the federal government legalized same-sex marriage, the LGBTQ community is celebrating the same legal rights as anyone else and will have the same gamut of questions related to family law issues.

Modifications

At the end of the divorce proceeding, the judge will draft an order that clarifies the addressed factors of the case. Issues like child support payments and child custody and visitation structures are detailed by the order. In addition, the order also dictates the consequences for not following the judge’s order. If, however, circumstances have changed in your life or the life of your previous spouse, it might be necessary to request a modification from the court. A judge’s order cannot reasonably take into account the unforeseen variables of the future and New Jersey courts are willing to hear cases in support of modification.

Parental Alienation

Divorce and other family law matters are emotional and hard for everyone involved. Divorce shakes the foundation of the family and when children are involved, an already emotional situation can become almost unbearable. When child custody and visitation issues are addressed, New Jersey courts are obligated to have the child’s best interests in mind. Through the turmoil and hardship of divorce, parents sometimes forget what is important and have their own issues at the forefront of their minds.

Prenuptial Agreements

When people get married, they are usually caught up in the emotional journey of their union. Few people consider the implications a divorce would have on their assets if the marriage didn’t work out. Unfortunately, divorce is a very real possibility. Over 50% of marriages end in divorce and those divorces will often end with a judge’s decision on matters, including spousal support, child support, child custody, and division of marital property. It is important for people to protect their pre-marital assets from such an event.

Relocation

Relocation is a very complicated issue in child custody cases. Relocation can disrupt established relationships, schooling, and many other factors in a child’s life and may have a negative impact on the future of the child. In most cases, both parents have worked to establish a positive joint child custody arrangement. Even in times when one parent may have physical and legal custody, the other parent continues to work towards being a positive role model to their child and be a major part of his or her life.

Spousal Support

When a couple gets a divorce, they have many issues to address. Sometimes, these issues can be heated and accordingly, contested. Alimony can be a very emotional issue to resolve as both parties have an opinion on what they are entitled to and they often do not agree. Based on the financial needs of the individual and the earning capacity of both parties in a divorce, the court might award one of the different types of alimony offered in court cases.