What to do when you cannot afford to pay your child support amount?

New Jersey Child Support
by Marina Ginzburg, Esquire.

The New Jersey Courts take child support obligations very seriously and are very clear that in order to lower your child support payment, you must show a change of circumstances. Changed circumstances are defined in Lepis v. Lepis, 83 N.J. 139 (1980). At the onset of changed circumstances, an obligor can make a motion or application to the court to reduce his or her child support obligation. Examples of changed circumstances include but are not limited to the cost of living, increase/decrease of obligor’s income, or that the obligor became sick or disabled. It should be noted that temporary unemployment is not sufficient for a change of circumstances showing and the courts generally consider unemployment in itself a temporary event. Since the burden of proof rests on the party making the motion or application, that party would have to prove to the court that they are unable to find any employment and are not voluntarily staying unemployed.

For more information about NJ Child Support please contact our office at 201-880-5563 or visit us at www.ruizdoolanlaw.com for a consultation.

Buying an Existing Business

Buying an Existing Business
by Fabiola Ruiz-Doolan, Esq.

For some entrepreneurs buying an existing business can be a less risky proposition. There are many good aspects to buying an existing business such as reduction in start up costs and inventory. There are also some downsides like business debt and issues with current employees and management, in addition purchasing cost may be much higher than the cost of starting a new business. This is why doing your due diligence before buying an existing business is very important.

Once you have found a business that interests you, it is important that you do your research. How much is the business worth? We always recommend our clients to get a professional to make that determination. Other examples of issues to consider are contract and leases, financial statements, property documents, customer lists, sales records, advertising materials, employee and manager information and contracts. You should also review the business tax return so you can assess profitability and tax liability.

Buying an existing business is not an easy task it is always recommended to get professional help of an attorney to review the legal and organizational documents of the business. In addition an accountant can help with a thorough evaluation of the financial condition of the business.

For more information about Buying an existing business in nj please contact our office at 201-880-5563 or visit us at www.ruizdoolanlaw.com for a consultation

Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative Divorce
By: Marina Ginzburg, Esq.

Sometimes Divorce is inevitable. Following that painful decision, parties have to decide how they will go from making the choice to divorce to actually divorcing.
Everyone knows that you can go to court and litigate; many people also know the alternative which is mediation. There is however a third option now available known as collaborative divorce. The process, although not new, is not as common in New Jersey as litigation and mediation.

Collaborative divorce is the collaboration of groups of experts that guide you through the divorce process without the intervention of the courts and with you and your spouse being in control of the outcome. The collaborative divorce “team” can consist of a financial expert, collaborative law trained attorneys for you and your spouse as well as a psychotherapists and accountants. In the end this process should be faster and cost you less then litigation. The most important aspect of this process is that you are not dealing with it alone, as you have a group of experts to guide you and you are in charge of your final agreement.

For more information about Collaborative Divorce and Divorce in NJ contact our office at (201) 880-5563.