The New Alimony Reform Law Monmouth County, NJ

Alimony Reform Law Monmouth County, NJ

Governor Christie has signed into law two very important pieces of legislation concerning divorce and family law. The first is an amendment to N.J.S.A. 34-23 concerning alimony awards in actions brought for divorce, dissolution of a civil union couple, divorce from bed and board (NJ’s version of a legal separation), or legal separation of civil union couple, or for annulment. The term permanent alimony has now been replaced by the term “open durational alimony”. There are many significant provisions in this new law, which is effective immediately, including a provision that for any marriage or civil union of less than 20 years in duration, the total duration of alimony a court may award shall not, except in exceptional circumstances, exceed the length of the marriage or civil union.

The new alimony reform law also deals with issues of terminating alimony at retirement, with a rebuttable presumption that alimony should terminate at age 67 of the paying spouse. It also deals with the issue of changed circumstances because of unemployment and change of careers.

Anyone paying or receiving alimony, or who is contemplating a separation or divorce where alimony may be an issue, should consult with his or her attorney to determine how this new law affects your situation. At Drescher & Cheslow, P.A., Robert E. Goldstein, Esq. has represented clients for over 39 years in divorce and family law cases.

The other exciting development is the New Jersey Collaborative Family Law Act, which will go into effect 90 days from September 11, 2014. Collaborative divorce is much different than the traditional way that spouses divorce, and involves a team of trained professionals who assist the couple in avoiding the emotional turmoil and extensive cost of traditional litigation. For the right people, it is a much more family friendly and less costly alternative, with the goal of reaching amicable resolution of the financial and child-related issues for the divorcing couple.

Robert E. Goldstein, Esq. is a member of the collaborative divorce law practice group of Collaborative Divorce Professionals, serving clients in Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean Counties. For more information, please go to http://www.njcollaborativeprofessionals.com/