There are generally four different types of mediation: 1) Facilitative Mediation; 2) Evaluative or Directive Mediation; 3) Transformational Mediation; 4) Transactional Mediation. Let's discuss each so you can understand which is best for your situation....
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There are alternatives to fighting your spouse in court in front of a judge, spending your funds that could be better used for your children's college educations or your financial security in your later years. Over the years, alternatives to fighting out a divorce in court for a year or more and spending tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars have been developed. These are grouped under the heading of ADR (alternatives to dispute resolution, which is what a court is, after all, “the court of last resort,” and it should be just that!...
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The law in New Jersey is clear; an engagement ring given to a spouse PRIOR to the wedding is a gift in contemplation of marriage and is, therefore, NOT a marital asset subject to equitable distribution. In plain English, the engagement ring belongs to the recipient and the “giver” has no legal right to get it back nor to receive any value for it. So, what happens when someone gives his/her spouse an engagement ring that is a family heirloom, was his/her mother’s or grandmother’s ring, or has a diamond(s) in it that came from his/her mother or grandmother or...
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In the midst of divorce, clients tell me they want custody of their children. I then engage in a discussion that includes, “In 99.99% of the cases neither parent gets custody of their children to the exclusion of the other parent.” Unless a parent is so mentally incapacitated that he or she can’t parent their children, the parents under NJ law share custody in some fashion. What must be done is to come up with a parenting plan that is in the children’s best interest (the standard in NJ) and which meets, as much as possible, each parent’s desire to...
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Starting October 1, 2021, Bruce Matez, Esq., APM became president of the prestigious New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators (NJAPM). This statewide, non-profit organization of general, civil, divorce and family law mediators is dedicated to...
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Gary Borger has been tapped to discuss ethics in the practice of family law and how to handle custody cases at the upcoming October 19, 2021 webinar for paralegals, "New Jersey Family Law Practice for Paralegals." Among other topics, Gary will cover...
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Gary Borger and Bruce Matez are pleased to name Deena L. Betze, Esquire as a partner in the firm, BorgerMatez, P.A. “We are excited to welcome Deena as our partner and look forward to Deena expanding and growing her practice of family law in South Jersey,” said Bruce Matez. “Her skills as a divorce and family law attorney are respected throughout New Jersey and she brings the passionate drive toward settling our clients’ cases fairly for which BorgerMatez is known,” added Gary Borger. For over 30 years, Deena has represented both men and women in divorce, mediation, custody, child support, adoption...
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If you are the parent of a disabled child who will soon be 18 and who will never be able to care for himself or herself, you may want to consider guardianship. Learn more at this free webinar presented by South Jersey Legal Services. Registration is required here....
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A recent story in The New York Times reported that in Michigan a couple who had a surrogate carry their biological twins are being forced to adopt their own children following their births. The twins are their full, genetic children, meaning the husband’s sperm and the wife’s egg were used to conceive. They have no genetic relationship to the gestational carrier, but, under Michigan law, she is nevertheless considered their legal parent. Michigan law does not recognize the genetic parents as the legal parents of these children at birth. As a result, this couple must now go through the entire,...
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For the people of New Jersey and around the world, the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has turned the world upside down. We’ve never seen anything like this in our lives. The uncertainty created by global shutdowns, unemployment, and even having to stand in line for toilet paper would be a heavyweight to bear for anyone. For those living in a struggling marriage, the stress exacerbated by “shelter-in-place” orders can be the tipping point. If you are considering divorce or facing family law matters including alimony, child support, custody, or grandparent’s rights, you may have questions. You might be wondering what you should do now? Are the...
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