Michael J. Stein Burlington County Family Law and Divorce Attorney2026-09-30T19:18:07Zhttps://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1502859/2022/04/cropped-site-icon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[Co-parenting communication can’t stop when it’s challenging]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530522026-09-30T19:18:07Z2026-09-30T19:18:07ZParents who are going through a divorce will usually still have to keep the lines of communication open. This isn’t always easy to do, especially when the emotions are still high. Finding ways to continue the communication, even when it’s challenging, is beneficial for both parents and their children.
One of the most important things to remember is that co-parenting communication should be between the adults. While it might be tempting to pass messages through the children, this isn’t ever a good idea. Indirect communication through the children could mean that messages are misconstrued. Additionally, children may become stressed because they feel the need to choose between their parents as they relay messages.
Keep conversations on topic
The topic of conversations should always be the children. It’s not uncommon for discussions to veer off topic, so both parents should be prepared to move back to the things that have to be discussed for the children. Trying to talk about other things, particularly those related to the end of the marriage, will likely turn contentious.
Remain calm
Remaining calm is critical for anyone dealing with challenging conversations. It may help to be business-like throughout the discussions. Taking a break is often beneficial if things get too heated, but be sure that there’s a plan for when the conversation will resume. During the break, think about the best solution for the children. Co-parenting communication guidelines can be included in the parenting plan. This may involve setting a dedicated communication method and time limits for replying. Getting this together as soon after the split is beneficial for everyone, so it might be helpful to work with someone familiar with these matters so they can assist with getting the plan set.
]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[What qualifies as child emancipation in New Jersey?]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530492026-09-24T06:38:36Z2026-09-24T06:38:36ZIn New Jersey, child emancipation does not always happen when a child finishes school or reaches a certain birthday. The court looks at whether the child still depends on the parents for financial support and direction.
Child support often stops at 19, but exceptions exist
New Jersey usually ends child support at age 19. That is the default rule, but support can continue in some situations, including when the child is still in high school or qualifies for an extension allowed by law.The Probation Division often sends notice before that deadline so the parents can address whether support should end or continue.
Some life changes can end or extend support
A child may become emancipated earlier through major life changes such as marriage or military service. Courts may view those steps as signs that the child has moved into a separate and independent role.Support may also continue longer when a child has a disability or another qualifying need. The broader legal idea behind emancipation of minors helps frame that question, but New Jersey courts still decide it based on the family’s specific facts.
Courts look at how independent the child has become
When parents disagree, the court looks at whether the child still relies on parental support in a meaningful way. Relevant facts may include:
Whether the child supports themselves financially
Where the child lives
Whether the child still attends school
The child’s work situation
Whether the parents still provide money or other support
The answer usually depends on the full picture rather than one fact alone.
Disputes over emancipation may require court review
When parents do not agree on whether support should stop, one of them may need to ask the court to decide the issue. In that setting, child support questions often overlap with school records, living arrangements and proof of ongoing financial support. A family law attorney can review those facts and assess whether they support an emancipation request.]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[How are business interests valued in a New Jersey divorce?]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530472026-09-21T10:19:04Z2026-09-21T10:19:04ZWhen a business interest may be marital
New Jersey follows equitable distribution rules. Courts divide marital property fairly, although the division may not be equal. If a spouse started or purchased a business during the marriage, the court may treat the interest as marital property.
A spouse may have owned a business before the wedding. Even so, the court may examine whether marital income, labor or shared resources increased its value.
How business value is calculated
A business valuation may involve a review of several financial and operational factors, including:
Business revenue and expenses
Equipment, property and other assets
Outstanding loans and other obligations
Customer relationships and goodwill
Owner compensation and personal involvement
Sales of similar businesses
When valuing a business in New Jersey, courts may distinguish enterprise goodwill from personal goodwill. Enterprise goodwill tied to the business may be subject to equitable distribution, while personal goodwill tied to the owner generally is not treated as a marital asset.
A valuation professional may assess company income, asset values or comparable business sales. The professional may also combine these approaches to reach a well-supported estimate.
Why the filing date matters
In New Jersey, the filing of the divorce complaint generally provides the starting point for identifying and valuing marital assets. The business may gain or lose value between that date and the final judgment. The court may examine whether changes resulted from market conditions, new investments or either spouse’s work.
The court may apply a different date when the facts support that approach. Physical separation alone does not always establish the valuation date.
How the court may divide the interest
The court does not always require a sale. One spouse may retain the business while the other receives money or other marital assets. The court may also consider debt, available funds and the difficulty of dividing ownership.
A careful valuation can clarify the business’s marital value and help spouses make informed decisions about property division.]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[Factors courts consider when determining child custody]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530462026-09-05T20:42:35Z2026-09-05T20:42:35ZThere are many divorce cases where parents are able to come up with a child custody schedule on their own. It may be as simple as exchanging the children every few days, or every other week. They still have to submit this plan to the court, but it can be approved, and the court does not have to issue an external custody ruling.
When couples cannot agree, however, the court can determine child custody. As a general rule, it will focus on the child’s best interests. But to determine what would be best for the child, a number of key factors will be considered.
Factors about the parents
First and foremost, the court will look at factors regarding the parents, such as:
Their mental and physical health
Their roles prior to the divorce
Their relationship with the child
Their ability to provide a stable living situation
If they have a criminal record, or if there is any evidence of abuse or domestic violence in the home
Courts do seek to keep both parents involved when possible, but will consider these factors carefully.
Factors regarding the children
Additionally, the court will look at details about the child, including:
Their age
Their connection to extended family members
Their own mental and physical needs
If the child has a specific preference
The relationship with the parents
If there are any cultural or religious considerations
Where the child goes to school
These are just a few examples, and every case is unique. But by looking at all of these factors, courts can make a custody determination. Parents going through this process must be well aware of their legal rights.
]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[Signs your spouse is hiding money in a divorce]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530452026-08-28T22:58:23Z2026-08-28T22:58:23ZUnusual financial activity is the biggest clue
You may have to look back several years to determine if your spouse has been purposely diverting money or other assets into private holdings, especially if you’ve been having marital trouble for some years. Some warning signs are obvious, while others may look like perfectly ordinary transactions – until you look closer.
Potential signs of hidden assets include:
Unexplained withdrawals or transfers from joint accounts
Bank or investment statements that stop arriving
New accounts or credit cards you did not know existed
Large payments to relatives, friends or unfamiliar businesses
Purchases of valuable items, like precious metals, that are easy to resell
Unusual cash withdrawals or increased use of cash
Mail sent to a new address or post office box
Password changes and increased secrecy around their financial records or accounts
Business owners and self-employed spouses may have additional opportunities to hide or disguise income. A spouse in that position might delay sending invoices, pay nonexistent employees, exaggerate their business expenses or leave money inside the company until after the divorce with the idea of reclaiming it later.
Your spouse’s spending habits may also tell a different story from their reported finances. If your spouse claims to earn very little but is taking expensive trips, buying luxury items and otherwise living a high lifestyle, there may be income or assets they’re not disclosing.
Tax returns are useful, but a real exploration of the finances may require assistance from a forensic accountant or other financial professional. Having experienced legal guidance can help you plot a strategy to uncover whatever is being hidden so that the marital assets are divided fairly.]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[How to request temporary alimony during your New Jersey divorce]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530432026-08-27T08:21:19Z2026-08-27T08:21:19ZHow do you request temporary alimony?
A request for temporary alimony generally requires a formal pendente lite application. The application may be made with the complaint or by notice of motion afterward. It must include a completed Case Information Statement (CIS) with information about income, expenses, assets and other financial circumstances. The responding spouse also must provide a CIS with the response.
Accurate financial information gives the court a clearer picture of both spouses’ finances. That information can affect the temporary support decision.
What will the court consider?
New Jersey law requires courts to consider relevant factors when deciding alimony. These include each spouse’s financial need and ability to pay, income and earning capacity, the marital standard of living, the length of the marriage and parental responsibilities. The law also lists other factors that may affect an alimony award.
Temporary support addresses financial needs while the divorce is pending. The amount may differ from the alimony awarded in the final divorce judgment. The parties’ financial circumstances of both spouses remain important throughout the case.
What financial records should you gather?
Gather records that show the household’s financial situation, including:
Recent pay stubs and other income records
Recent tax returns
Bank and investment account statements
Mortgage or rent records
Utility and insurance bills
Regular household and child-related expenses
Records of significant debts or financial obligations
Reviewing these records can help identify missing information and clarify the financial circumstances relevant to a temporary support request. Good records can help present a clear financial picture.
What happens after the request?
The court may issue a temporary support order while the divorce continues. New Jersey law allows support orders to be revised or altered as circumstances change.
Temporary alimony can help cover essential expenses while the divorce is pending in New Jersey, but the process still requires careful financial documentation. Gathering income records, household expenses and other financial information early can help the court assess the request and determine an appropriate amount.]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[Does your lifestyle during marriage affect alimony?]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530412026-08-16T15:57:07Z2026-08-16T15:57:07ZHow judges look at your marital lifestyle
To establish what a couple’s lifestyle actually looked like, New Jersey family courts review financial records, disclosure forms and historical spending habits. Judges evaluate several key elements to determine a fair alimony award:
Past spending habits: What is typically spent on housing, food, travel, healthcare and fun during the marriage.
Needs versus income: The court compares what the person receiving support actually needs to live against what the other person can reasonably pay.
Earnings and skills: Both spouses' education, work history and their ability to earn a living after the divorce is final.
The cost of two homes: Since one household budget is being split into two, both people often have to adjust their spending and way of life.
To get these numbers right, the court uses a financial disclosure form. Both parties must list their monthly budgets and provide bank or credit card statements to prove their expenses.
Planning for what comes next
In New Jersey, the lifestyle the spouses maintained during marriage can be an important part of the alimony analysis, but it is only one piece of the larger picture. Careful financial records and a clear explanation of monthly needs can make that evidence easier for the court to understand.]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[Who keeps the ring in a divorce?]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530352026-08-10T10:49:06Z2026-08-10T10:49:06ZWhen a couple ends their relationship, if one person has been given an engagement ring, it can often become a point of contention. For one thing, it is symbolic, and the relationship is ending. But for another, it can be very expensive. After all, engagement rings average over $5,000, so they are a very valuable asset, especially for a young couple.Who gets to keep that ring, however, really just depends on when it was given and the status of the relationship when it comes to a close. Often, the courts see the ring as a conditional gift.
What is the condition?
Under this perspective, the ring is only being given to the recipient under the condition that they agree to get married. One person proposes, the other person says yes, and the ring changes hands.If that person then breaks the engagement off before getting married, they have not fulfilled that condition. They typically have to give the ring back because it is still owned by the person who gave it to them.However, once a couple gets married, the condition has been satisfied. This can feel frustrating to the person who gave the ring as they go through a divorce, especially if it was initiated by their partner. But because the ring is a conditional gift, it may now be owned by their spouse, even though they are not the one who initially purchased it.
Dividing complicated assets
During a divorce, addressing wedding rings and engagement rings can be complex, and there are many other complicated assets to consider. Couples need to determine the difference between marital and separate assets, which can affect how they are split up during property division. At this time, it can help to work with an experienced divorce attorney to explore all potential options.
]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[Can one parent’s limited involvement affect custody rights?]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530322026-08-05T03:52:30Z2026-08-05T05:00:39ZHow reduced participation could change parenting time
Limited involvement can affect custody rights, but courts weigh it with the other statutory factors. A judge generally considers the length of the parent’s absence. Sporadic contact could support more structure, while a long absence may favor the child’s established home routine. The effects could include:
Equal time may become less likely. A parent who misses visits may receive fewer overnight stays.
Visits sometimes become more structured. The order might set times, exchange terms or a gradual schedule.
Primary residence could remain stable. A judge could keep the child mainly with the parent who manages daily needs.
Decision-making rights may continue. Reduced contact alone rarely removes joint authority over health or education.
These rights often serve different functions. Available custody arrangements may include joint custody, sole custody with appropriate parenting time or another arrangement that serves the child’s best interests. In New Jersey, updated law guides that choice by making a child’s physical and emotional welfare paramount.
The parent’s daily involvement may show which arrangement would provide greater stability. A judge could examine who attends conferences, schedules appointments and responds to messages. Months of one parent handling those needs may establish a routine that the court might hesitate to disrupt.
Why careful preparation matters
Custody disputes often rely on records rather than claims about commitment. Calendars and school or medical records may show each parent’s role.
An attorney can review that evidence to assess how each parent’s conduct relates to the current order and governing custody factors. That guidance may help you seek a practical arrangement that protects continuity and addresses safety concerns.]]>On Behalf of Michael J. Stein Attorney At Law<![CDATA[Divorce: Am I obligated to share my stock/dividend holdings?]]>https://www.southjerseydivorcelaw.com/?p=2530292026-08-19T11:32:27Z2026-08-02T15:19:42ZWhen are stocks considered marital property?
New Jersey follows the principle of equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided fairly, though not always equally. In general, stocks purchased during the marriage with marital income are considered marital assets, no matter whose name is on the account.
Stocks acquired before the marriage, through an inheritance or as a gift to one spouse are usually separate property. However, if those investments are commingled with marital funds or both spouses contribute to their growth, some or all of their value may become subject to equitable distribution.
What about dividends?
Dividends are treated according to the ownership of the underlying stock. If the stock is marital property, dividends earned during the marriage are usually included in the marital estate.
Even dividends from separate property may become subject to division if they were regularly deposited into a joint account, reinvested using marital funds or otherwise commingled with marital assets. Every situation is fact-specific, making financial records especially important.
Full financial disclosure matters
New Jersey courts require both spouses to provide complete and accurate financial disclosures during divorce. This includes investment accounts and all other financial assets. Failing to disclose investments can result in legal consequences such as court sanctions and an unequal property award.
If you have questions about how stocks or dividends may be treated in your New Jersey divorce, speaking with a legal professional can help you understand your rights, protect your financial interests and work toward a fair property division.]]>