BorgerMatez, P.A. is pleased to announce that Harold U. Johnson, recently retired from the Family Part of the Chancery Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey has joined the firm. The Hon. Harold Johnson will mediate, arbitrate, sit as a Blue Ribbon Panelist, and be available for consultation, in all divorce and family law matters....
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Anyone getting married should consult with a family law attorney in the state or commonwealth where one of the parties resides or where the parties will reside after the marriage to determine whether a pre-marital agreement is appropriate for financial protection in the event of divorce and to control to whom one’s estate passes upon death. Laws relating to the enforcement of pre-marital agreements vary from state to state. ...
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If you’re divorcing, there is less than a 2% chance that your divorce will be tried to conclusion before a judge. That means the overwhelming likelihood is that you will never have that oft talked about “day in court.” The staggering odds are that if you’re divorcing, you and your spouse will ultimately settle the issues related to your divorce. What really matters most is the method you and your spouse choose to reach that settlement. Here’s a brief overview of your options:...
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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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