The New Jersey Department of Children and Families‘ website offers answers to commonly asked questions by individuals and couples hoping to adopt a child. State rules forbid discrimination against qualified people, 18 and older, who wish to adopt. You may not be barred from adopting solely due to relationship status, gender expression or identity, sexual
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$800,000 bail upheld for accused kidnapping dad
In a story that highlights the child custody struggles some parents experience, a New Jersey father accused of kidnapping his two young sons will face a bail of $800,000. The father was captured last month at a New Port Richley, Florida, motel after six weeks on the run with the two boys. According to the
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Property division during a New Jersey divorce
Each state decides how spousal property is divided when a marriage ends. Where equitable distribution rules apply, as they do in New Jersey, spouses are supposed to receive fair but not necessarily equal shares of marital property. The spouses’ interpretations of the word “fair” during divorce cause many legal disputes. All states categorize spousal assets
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What are qualified domestic relations orders?
Court orders and judgments define how spouses’ property and post-marital support are handled. New Jersey domestic relations orders formalize alimony and child support payments and spousal property agreements. State laws govern the issuance of domestic relations orders. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act applies to qualified domestic relation orders or QDROs. Qualified domestic relation orders
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Marital torts as part of a New Jersey divorce
At one time, marital vows claiming “two become one” were reflected in New Jersey family laws. Spousal unity created interspousal immunity. It was impossible for one spouse to sue the other for damages until courts in the last half of the 20th century recognized marital torts. Harmful actions include emotional abuse, invasion of privacy and
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