Alimony and Fault

It is a familiar lament…my spouse cheated on me so it’s not fair for me to have to pay alimony.  The hurt spouse’s point is well taken.  The law, however, views fault as merely a factor among many others that may in rare, egregious cases be taken into account. Fault is considered in very, very…

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What Issues Are Addressed in Divorce Mediation?

The same issues are addressed in divorce mediation that are addressed when a couple divorces through litigation in court.  The biggest difference is that the parties are not adversaries in the traditional sense, but are working toward a resolution of their legal issues.  It’s not necessary that the mediating couple is on amicable terms.  While…

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Should Alimony be Predictable?

There are child support guidelines so that parents can determine the amount of money each must contribute for the purpose of raising their child.  The law dictates how the numbers to be plugged into the formula should be calculated.  When special needs or circumstances exist, the law provides for deviation from the formula so that…

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Calculating Alimony in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

There are significant differences and similarities in the law on alimony in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The law in New Jersey is more presumptive of an award of alimony than it is in Pennsylvania.  The court in New Jersey is more likely to equitably distribute the parties’ property equally and then order a more generous…

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