Ask Cassie

Dear Cassie: How is child support determined in New Jersey? -E.F. Dear E.F.: In New Jersey, the Child Support Guidelines controls child support payments for families whose combined net income totals $187,200.00 or less. In those cases, information such as the parties’ incomes, the amount of alimony paid and received, and the custody and parenting […]

Dear Cassie: I am going to propose to my girlfriend. I’m curious–what happens to the engagement ring if we don’t get married? Can I get it back? -R.Z. Dear R.Z.: Pursuant to New Jersey law, the gifting of an engagement ring is called a “conditional gift.” What this means is that the giving of the […]

Dear Cassie: I just found out that my spouse sent a subpoena for my medical records. Is he allowed to do this? -P.P. Dear P.P.: When a divorce is pending, parties to a divorce can seek records–also called “discovery”–which are relevant to the divorce matter. The issuance of a subpoena is one manner in which […]

Dear Cassie: Do I have to ask the judge if I want to have my children for Christmas this year? -C.A. Dear C.A.: The answer to your question depends on whether you already have an Order or Judgment in your case addressing holiday parenting time, or not. If the former, the holiday parenting time schedule […]

Dear Cassie: Are courts still open in light of COVID? -P.R. Dear P.R.: Yes, they are, albeit in a different form than they were pre-COVID. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting health risks, the overwhelming majority of Superior Court family law proceedings are currently being conducted virtually, via “Zoom,” “Microsoft Teams,” or some […]