First defined by the Domestic Partnership Act on July 10, 2004, and amended by the Civil Union Act on February 19, 2007, domestic partnerships in New Jersey apply both to same-sex and opposite-sex couples who are age 62 or older. Originally, the law applied to same sex-couples who were 18 and older.
Managing parenting time after divorce
A divorce can be a challenging time for any child at any age. Studies consistently show that how parents interact after the divorce and how they are involved in the child's life can have a major impact on how difficult the transition is. One of the key factors involving children after divorce is custody and parenting time. The law in New Jersey and virtually all other states gives children the right to parenting time from both parents.
Dissolving a domestic partnership
Are you in a domestic partnership that you wish to exit? New Jersey is one of a handful of states that recognizes domestic partnerships for couples who wish to have some legal and financial protections, but who either can't marry or don't wish to marry. Domestic partnerships are commonly used by gay and lesbian couples and also by senior citizens who are in a relationship but don't want to marry. While a domestic partnership can provide a number of marriage-like rights and benefits, the laws surrounding a domestic partnership dissolution aren't so clear.
Determining parental roles in regard to child support
In New Jersey, there are four roles that separated or divorcing parents may assume when the matter of child custody is determined. These are the custodial parent, the noncustodial parent, the parent of primary residence and the parent of alternate residence. Each of these roles affects whether or not a parent is obligated to pay child support to the other parent.
Seeking child custody in New Jersey
One of the most challenging aspects of divorce can be addressing the issue of child custody. In some cases, parents are able to work out an arrangement amicably to ensure that children are able to benefit from the influence of both parents along with a dependable schedule that builds stability into their lives. However, disputes over custody can be frustrating, especially if both parents seek to be designated as the primary caregiver.
