J.D. v. M.D.F.

When there is a Temporary Restraining Order issued under the predicate act of Harassment, the first issue arises as to what “harassment” is, how it is defined, and practically what constitutes harassment. When someone feels “harassed” by the other party, that does not necessarily fit the legal definition of harassment. Harassment, in part, is defined…

Civil Restraints

In order to protect a victim’s safety in the face of domestic violence, it is sometimes necessary to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order. After a Temporary Restraining Order is issued, the Court is to schedule a trial to determine if a Final Restraining Order should be entered in accordance with Silver v. Silver, 387 N.J.…

Stalking in the 21st Century

Stalking in the 21st Century

The term “stalking” carries a connotation of someone following us down the street, peeking out from the bushes, and peering in our windows. However, in today’s world of technology, a person doesn’t need to be present to be a stalker. In the recent decision, E.D.B. v. D.S., the Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s determination…

Living with Someone versus Cohabitation – is there a difference?

According to the Appellate Division, there is no difference between “living with someone” and “cohabitation”, despite one individual’s attempt to distinguish the two. The facts are as follows: after a 20-year marriage, the parties divorced on July 11, 2013. Their Marital Settlement Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Agreement”) required Defendant (hereinafter referred to as “Rob”)…

Malek v. Malek addresses practical constraints of maintaining the status quo pendent lite.

In an illustrative, though unpublished case, Judge L.R. Jones, (ret) addressed head on the unspoken truth about maintaining the marital “status quo” pendente lite. Malek v. Malek featured a typical middle-class divorce quandary: Plaintiff Husband was the breadwinner as a public school teacher earning $90,000 a year while Defendant Wife was a part-time hair dresser…

Atwell v. Atwell, Appellate Division, Docket No. A-4406-14T1 (December 22, 2016)

In Atwell v. Atwell, the Appellate Division addressed the trial court’s obligation to consider pendente lite support paid by an obligor spouse in awarding limited duration alimony pursuant to the recently revised alimony statute, N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23. Defendant husband appealed the trial judge’s award of five (5) years of limited duration alimony commencing from the entry…