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Establishing Paternity in New Jersey

Determining the paternity of a child has potentially long-lasting consequences from child support and custody to inheritance rights. Parents are legally responsible for their children regardless of the parents’ marriage situation, and successfully establishing or refuting paternity in the courts affects not only the rights and obligations of each parent but of the child as well. Here is a short guide to legally determining paternity in New Jersey.

Acknowledging Paternity

For married couples, both the mother and the father fill out and sign the baby’s birth certificate, which equates to a legal acknowledgment of paternity. This can be done at the hospital before the mother and child are discharged. For unmarried couples, though, the process is different. Only the mother can sign the birth certificate, at first. The father can then acknowledge paternity by filling out and signing a separate form called a Certificate of Parentage. After that is complete, the father’s name can be formally added to the birth certificate. The father does not need to be present at the birth to do this, although there may be a filing fee if the certificate is filled out later. The bottom line is that acknowledging paternity on the birth certificate is the easiest way of legally establishing paternity.

Determining Paternity Through DNA

If a mother or potential father (or both) is unsure of the child’s parentage, the next step is to have a DNA test done. A sample from both the child and the potential father will be tested in a lab to positively or negatively affirm if the man is the baby’s biological father. Many labs in New Jersey offer the legally necessary test to determine paternity, and a quick internet search can point you in the right direction. It is important to confirm that the test results will be accepted by the New Jersey family court as admissible evidence, and most labs in the state can tell you which test to get.  DNA testing may also be done through the court system.

Paternity Suits

Disputes over a child’s parentage are common legal battles that have far-reaching consequences. Even if a man refuses to sign an acknowledgment of paternity it may not relieve him of his responsibilities. The child’s mother can file a lawsuit to establish paternity through other means, which then makes the man financially responsible for his child. If you sign the paperwork believing you are the father, but later suspect the child is someone else’s, you should seek an attorney’s help to legally refute the acknowledgment of paternity. 

Contact A New Jersey Family Law Attorney About Your Paternity Case Today!

If you are dealing with paternity and child support issues, you should not face them alone. You need an experienced family law attorney on your side to fight for your rights every step of the way. We understand how challenging these situations can be, which is why we will fight hard to protect your interests, and the interests of your loved ones, throughout the legal process. Daniel K. Newman has over 30 years of helping clients in family court and practices in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem Counties. Call us at (856) 309-9007 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. Our office is located at 1202 Laurel Oak Rd., Suite 207 in Voorhees Township, NJ 08043.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

Understanding Different Types of Divorce in Voorhees New Jersey

Types of Divorce

There are different types of divorces in New Jersey. This is why it is important to have an experienced divorce lawyer by your side from The Law Offices of Daniel K. Newman. We understand all divorce laws in the State of New Jersey and have successfully represented individuals while obtaining for them favorable resolution of their family law matter.

What is an Uncontested Divorce Versus a Contested Divorce?

An uncontested divorce is one where both parties have agreed in writing to the terms and conditions of a Marital Settlement Agreement. A Divorce Complaint and other required documents are filed with the court, and the case is given a court docket number. A Summons along with the Divorce Complaint are then served upon the defendant and proof of service is filed with the court. The court then schedules an “uncontested” Final Judgment for Divorce hearing. This is the most streamlined type of divorce that our NJ law firm can help you with. A contested divorce, on the other hand, is one in which you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement on all of the issues regarding the dissolution of the marriage, children’s issues if there children born of the marriage, allocation of marital debt and equitable distribution of property. This will involve negotiations, hearings, motions and sometimes a full trial in order to have a Superior Court judge issues a ruling as to all of the disputed issues.

About Default Divorces

A divorce by “default” is a two-step process. The first step is filing an Entry of Default. This occurs if the other spouse has not filed an Answer or otherwise pleaded to the Summons and Divorce Complaint within 35 days of service of the Summons and Complaint upon the defendant. The second step is a Notice of Final Judgment. This is a proceeding for a final judgment by default where the attorney prepares a written request for the court detailing relief sought against the defaulting party insofar as dissolution of the marriage, children’s issues, equitable distribution of property and allocation of marital debt is concerned.

Contact a Voorhees Family Law Attorney for a Consultation About Divorce in New Jersey Today

If you are thinking about filing for divorce, or if you have already started the divorce process and are dealing with another matter such as child custody, child support, or division of assets, you need to speak with a qualified attorney. The New Jersey family law attorneys at The Law Offices of Daniel K. Newman represent clients throughout the state, including Camden, Cherry Hill, Winslow, and Pennsauken. We understand how challenging this time can be for you, which is why we will fight hard to protect your interests and the interests of your loved ones, throughout the legal process. Call us at 856-309-9007 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 1202 Laurel Oak Rd., Suite 207, Voorhees Township, NJ 08043. There is no charge for the first consultation at our office.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

Amber Heard Follows Through On Promise To Donate Johnny Depp Divorce Settlement

Divorce Settlement Lawyer in NJMovie star Johnny Depp is accustomed to being in the public eye, but the negative attention caused by his recent divorce from Amber Heard is extremely embarrassing for the famous actor. Actress Amber Heard filed for divorce in May of 2016 after alleging that Depp aggressively attacked her by pulling her hair and slapping her in the face with a cell phone.

Heard Gives Divorce Settlement to Charity

Heard explained that she planned to pursue a settlement, but it wasn’t for the money except to the extent she could donate it to charity. In August, actress Heard promised to donate her divorce settlement damages. She specifically stated that she planned on giving it to charities that would prevent violence against women to help defend those less able to defend themselves. Recently, she made good on that promise and gave a large amount to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The actress was noted on the 2017 donors list from the hospital in a designated category suggesting she donated somewhere between $1 and $5 million.

Family Lawyer Daniel K. Newman

Johnny Depp and Heard’s marriage lasted only 15 months, but the settlement, in this case, was enormous. When physical and emotional abuse is present in the marriage, courts may under the appropriate circumstances award damages against the abuser in what New Jersey calls a “Tevis” claim. The expertise, experience, and compassion that attorney Daniel K. Newman offers his clients provide a practical and successful method for dealing with all types of family law issues. His goal is to help clients achieve the best possible results throughout this difficult time period in their lives. To get started on your case today, contact the law office of Daniel K. Newman at 856-309-9007.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

How Is Paternity Established and How Does It Affect Child Support?

Camden County Paternity Attorneys“Who is the father of this child?” makes for juicy gossip on certain talk shows. The truth is that modern DNA testing can determine whether a particular person is the parent of a particular child with 99.99% plus accuracy.

From a legal perspective, however, enforcing paternity obligations such as child support may be more difficult. Establishing paternity according to legal rules is essential for ensuring that the father of a child pays necessary child support and has the opportunity to contribute to the raising of the child, if appropriate.

Is a Paternity Test Needed for Child Support in New Jersey?

For child support purposes, a paternity test is not always necessary. If the biological father of a child born to unmarried parents concedes that he is the father, or if the couple agrees that he is the father, then the father will likely be expected to pay child support. In this situation, the father may be referred to as the “acknowledged father” in court documents.

In some cases, a father is presumed to be the father of the child. For instance, if the parents were married when the child was conceived or born, the father may be presumed to be the father of the child. Similarly, if the father attempted to marry, or married, the mother, he may be considered the “presumed father” under particular circumstances.

Who Can Bring a Claim to Establish Parentage in NJ?

Since presumed-father rules vary by state, it is important to talk to a knowledgeable NJ family lawyer if child support is an issue and either parent lives in New Jersey. Either parent may bring a paternity action to court in order to declare parentage. States use various names for paternity actions, including “establishment hearings,” “filiation hearings,” or “parentage actions.”

Some paternity actions are brought by welfare organizations that provide TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) benefits to the mother and child. In these situations, the mother is required to cooperate with TANF officials or risk losing her benefits.

If a particular man is determined to be a father in a paternity action, he may be ordered to pay child support. He may also seek custody or parenting-time rights with the child in most cases.

Contact an Experienced Camden County Family Lawyer Today to Discuss Your Parentage & Child Support Issues

Attorney Daniel K. Newman leads a New Jersey divorce and family law practice that focuses on applying knowledge and compassion to every case we handle. To learn more, contact our office today at (856) 309-9007.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

Is It Always Necessary to Get a Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer?

Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer New JerseyWhen two people are in love and planning a wedding, the last thing that anyone involved wants to consider is the idea that their marriage may someday come to an end prematurely. However, couples do need to be aware of all the possible circumstances that can arise. So, preparing a prenuptial agreement before they are wed may be a very wise and financially prudent thing to do. That leaves the question: should all couples get a prenuptial agreement lawyer to manage these details, even when both partners feel as though they would be able to handle this type of situation themselves?

An Experienced NJ Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer Can Steer Couples in the Right Direction

Regardless of how solid a relationship a couple may have, it is frequently a good idea to engage a prenuptial agreement lawyer. This does not mean that there won’t be numerous aspects of the prenuptial agreement that both parties can agree on before the process even begins. In fact, the more items that both of you can agree on in the beginning, the better the entire ordeal will be for you in the future. Nonetheless, there are still several issues that you may not even be aware of that are best left to be handled by an experienced New Jersey family attorney. Even in the most positive of relationships, the best route to take will be one in which each of you retains your own lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement, or one of you retains a lawyer to prepare the agreement and the other retains a lawyer to review it so that you both have someone looking after your best interest.

The truth is that any prenuptial agreement will be examined very closely by the courts, and having an agreement that was prepared or reviewed by the two separate lawyers for each of you only helps everything go more smoothly. If neither of you has a lawyer, or if only one of you does, then the agreement will have to be scrutinized even more closely, as the chance of the agreement not being complete or possibly being one-sided becomes even greater. If each of you has your own lawyer to look out for your interests and to help you come up with a more solid prenuptial agreement, any future divorce proceedings will almost always be easier to deal with.

Another aspect that makes it important for you to both have a lawyer is the different laws that exist in each state. These laws vary greatly throughout the country. If you are not aware of the specific details that make up each of these laws when making your prenuptial agreement, important issues can easily be missed or overlooked. By having a knowledgeable attorney deal with matters such as these in the beginning, rather than finding out about them afterwards when you are in the midst of a divorce and tensions are running high, you are more likely to avoid the difficulty of needing to confront this kind of circumstance.

Free Consultation with an Experienced Camden County Family Lawyer

In the end, a happy relationship will make it easier to agree on the essential terms of your relationship. There are a number of issues that are best left to be dealt with by a qualified attorney. Call the Law Office of Daniel K. Newman at 856-309-9007 to set up a free consultation today or fill out our online contact form.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

Divorce: Do You Need a Lawyer?

A Divorce Lawyer for Camden County, NJ ResidentsWhen a married couple decides to divorce, both parties face some very difficult decisions. Many individuals going through the divorce process are emotionally distraught and anxious. Despite this, soon-to-be single individuals must make crucial decisions about finances, parental obligations and previously shared property with a former spouse who may or may not be cooperative.

The mental and emotional strain of divorce puts increased pressure on people, so it can be harder to make rational decisions even for the most calculating and forward-looking individuals. If you and your former spouse are able to agree on all issues between yourselves, then you might not need to hire a lawyer. A written signed marital settlement agreement is among the things you need to finalize the divorce. When there are significant marital issues in play that prevent amicable resolution of all issues, a divorce lawyer is necessary to ensure your rights are protected. There are many future financial decisions like college costs and pension issues, for example, which are overlooked by people when they represent themselves.

Various factors may influence a person’s decision to hire a legal professional during a divorce. In many situations, one party may find it impossible to negotiate effectively with their former partner to reach agreements. Your former partner’s personality will play a significant factor in whether you will be able to reach agreements outside of the courtroom. It is best to hire a divorce lawyer when significant issues like abuse have been present during the marriage. A lawyer will protect the rights of abused children, women or men, and a legal advisor can also help you deal with a dishonest or vindictive spouse attempting to utilize divorce court to further abuse you. If your spouse has hired an attorney, then it’s wise to hire your own legal representative.

Contact Camden County, NJ Divorce Lawyer Daniel K. Newman For A Free Consultation Today

Mediation can help some former spouses come to a negotiation, but an experienced divorce lawyer will ensure your rights are protected when one individual refuses to fairly negotiate. The compassionate and dedicated divorce attorney Daniel K. Newman can help you during this difficult process. Contact his law office now at 856-309-9007 to discuss the details of your case and determine if a divorce attorney is right for you.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

Who Is Able to Adopt a Child?

New Jersey Adoption LawyerAdoption is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. There are many children both in and out of our country who are not afforded the same opportunity as others, simply because they no longer are under the care of a parent(s) or guardian(s).

Choosing to adopt a child and help him/her get out of whatever situation they may be in is a big commitment and requires great care. The adoption process itself is involved and can end up taking quite some time. But before you even get started on the adoption process, you must first make sure that you are able to adopt a child.

Adoption of a Child in New Jersey

In New Jersey, any person who is at least 18 years old may adopt. If you are married, your spouse must consent or you must jointly apply to adopt. When it comes to the child, he/she can be any person. If it is an adult adoption, then they must be 10 years younger or more than the person looking to adopt. If the child is 10 years old or older, their consent in the adoption is going to be considered.

Now, this does not mean any adult can adopt a child. While laws may vary from state to state, it is common that an adult must be considered a “fit parent” in order to adopt a child. This means meeting certain requirements as required by the state, perhaps even including requirements handed down by the adoption agency you are adopting through.

Unique Difficulties Faced by Certain Couples Looking to Adopt in NJ

As stated earlier, adopting a child is not easy even though it seems most anyone can do it. Depending on the type of couple, some adoption experiences may end up more difficult than others.

For starters, it may be more difficult for a single parent to have their adoption successfully completed. This is because most agencies often look to put healthy infants and younger children in two-parent families. In addition, birth parents often want their children to also be placed in a two-parent home.

In a similar sense, lesbians and gay men may also find it harder to adopt than their heterosexual counterparts, despite an increasing number of states allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt jointly. The good news is that New Jersey permits single LGBT individuals to petition to adopt and also permits same-sex couples to jointly petition to adopt. In addition, the state of New Jersey permits a same-sex partner to petition to adopt their partner’s child or child of the relationship.

Again, when it comes down to it, the decision is made based upon what is in the best interests of the child. If you are looking to adopt a child you need to build a strong case for what makes you a fit parent, regardless of demographics.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Camden County Family Lawyer to Discuss Your Adoption

It is in your best interest to consult an adoption lawyer who is familiar with the state’s ideals of a fit parent. In New Jersey, the Law Offices of Daniel K. Newman can help put you in the best possible position to make your adoption dreams a reality.

Call 856-309-9007 today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.