Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq. and Michael P. Chiacchio, Esq.

All too often, when custody of the children is an issue in a divorce proceeding, the parties/parents lose sight of the primary goal; that being protecting the children and finding a parenting plan that promotes their best interests. The emotional suffering sometimes realized by the children can leave a negative and long lasting impact long after the parents have resolved the conflict.  Continue reading Custody Disputes: Children Have Rights Too!

Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq. and Michael P. Chiacchio, Esq.

This article first ran in the November/December 2007 Mercer County Woman.   We received a tremendous response from parents.  Due to the importance of this topic, we wanted to run it again for the upcoming Prom and Graduation season.  Continue reading Teenage Drinking and Parents’ Liability

The Machestic Dragons, “New Jersey’s first breast cancer survivor dragon boat team,” celebrates spring by returning their dragon boat to Mercer County Park Lake for their ninth season. This team of survivors and supporters encourages new members to join in this invigorating water sport. You do not need to be an athlete to participate, and experience is not necessary. Continue reading Springs Brings Back Dragon Boating to Mercer Lake

Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq. and Michael P. Chiacchio, Esq.

“I’m not paying anymore child support!  Our son/daughter is an adult who is over the age of eighteen and in college!”  The fact is, depending on the circumstances, the obligation of both parents to provide child support, not to mention parents’ possible obligations to also pay college tuition and related expenses for children of divorce can extend well beyond their graduation from high school and the attainment of eighteen years of age. Continue reading Child Support and Emancipation

Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq. and Michael P. Chiacchio, Esq.

There are various statutes and Court Rules that address custody and related issues in New Jersey.  It is important for divorcing parents to understand that the state Legislature has found that it is in the best interests of children to have frequent and continuing contact with both parents after separation and divorce and that it is in the public interest to encourage both parents to share the rights and responsibilities of rearing their children.  The law in New Jersey also provides that the rights of both parents are equal.  The Court may accept any custody arrangement which is agreed to by both parents provided that it
is not contrary to the children’s best interests. Continue reading Children and Divorce

Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq.

After divorce or separation, parents have an equal obligation to provide emotional and financial support to their children.  The law cannot force parents to provide emotional support to their children.  However, it can compel parents to provide the financial support that they are obligated to provide and which their children have a right to receive. Continue reading Child Support: A Child’s Right

This event has been cancelled. Continue reading 2009 Health & Wellness Expo

Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq. and Michael P. Chiacchio, Esq.

New Jersey law provides for the payment of alimony under certain circumstances.  The Court may award one or more of the following kinds of alimony to either party: permanent alimony; rehabilitative alimony; limited duration alimony or reimbursement alimony.

In determining if an award of alimony is appropriate, the Court must consider a long list of statutory factors and any other issues that are relevant to your particular case.  The factors that are primarily considered are 1) the actual need and ability of the parties to pay; 2) the duration of the marriage; 3) the age, physical and emotional health of the parties; and 4) the standard of living established during the marriage and the likelihood that each party can maintain a reasonably comparable standard of living. Continue reading Alimony – Know your Rights and Obligations

Frances M. Merritt

The recently established Mid-Jersey Collaborative Law Alliance (MJCLA) offers a new alternative to the traditional litigated divorce for those who are seeking to resolve their marriages with greater economy and with less acrimony – a collaborative divorce. Continue reading The Collaborative Divorce: A Better Alternative

Lee Ann McCabe-Chiacchio, Esq.

This article first ran in the November/December 2007 Mercer County Woman.   We received a tremendous response from parents.  Due to the importance of this topic, we wanted to run it again for the upcoming Prom and Graduation season.   Continue reading Teenage Drinking and Parents’ Liability