Welcome to the Lawrence H. Bloom, Esq.’s website. On this page you will find information on New York and New Jersey divorce laws and issues related to the division of property, alimony, child support, custody and visitation. Mr. Bloom has spent close to two decades specializing in Family Law and helping clients through the challenges of the life-changing relationships. The Lawrence H. Bloom firm is able to balance sensitivity to clients needs with aggressive advocacy of their rights. Clients going through divorce face a combination of stresses including the break-up of their relationship, anxiety about the future and concern for their children. People in this situation need the representation of an attorney who has demonstrated skill and experience in New Jersey and New York domestic law. With an outstanding reputation for bringing his clients through the divorce process with sensitivity and objectivity, Mr. Bloom’s clients are able to begin their new lives with their financial security intact. If you are searching for effective, practical and cost-effective guidance in your domestic relations case, the Family Law Firm of Lawrence H. Bloom can meet your requirements.
An estimated 2.5 million people are divorced each year in the U.S. according to recent Census Bureau statistics. These are staggering numbers; however, the Lawrence H. Bloom firm does not view our clients as statistics. Each marriage, each relationship, each situation and each client are different with their own set of concerns and objectives. We believe in helping individuals grow in their lives and strive to make divorce a less painful and more therapeutic experience for our clients. The firm is committed to approaching the divorce process constructively; and we work to keep communication open between the couple and other parties involved. The majority of matrimonial cases settle through negotiation; unfortunately, there are situations where mediation is not a viable option. In these cases, we zealously protect our client’s rights and litigate aggressively at the trial level and, where necessary, on appeal.
In order for a divorce to be granted, there must be a legal cause to dissolve the marriage. Under state laws, there are two categories of grounds (causes) for divorce – Fault and No-Fault. In an at Fault divorce, one partner holds their spouse responsible for causing the break-up of the marriage and must prove that their spouse acted to cause the end of the union. A No-fault divorce places blame on neither spouse for the end of the marriage and the divorce is uncontested. In New York, living apart for one or more years under a Court granted separation or an agreement signed by both parties is a non-fault based divorce; and just recently on October 12, 2010, New York joined the other 49 States by adding a new ground: 6 months irreconcilable differences with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. In New Jersey, a no fault divorce can be obtained based upon 18 month separation with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation, and 6 months irreconcilable differences with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation.
Grounds for an at “Fault” divorce in New York are:
- Adultery
- Cruelty
- Abandonment or Desertion
- Imprisonment
In addition to laws that are similar to New York’s fault grounds for divorce, New Jersey also includes Institutionalization for Mental Illness and Deviant Sexual Conduct as fault grounds.
However, in both States, the irreconcilable differences grounds is now the most common.
Each State also has available grounds for the annulment of a marriage based upon fraud, as well as laws to declare the nullity of a void marriage in the event that the “spouse” failed to properly terminate a prior marriage.
The main functions of Divorce Court are to decide the distribution of marital wealth, any spousal support, and to set child custody and visitation schedules. Once you file your divorce complaint, your attorney will help you protect yourself and your children by using legal strategies to maintain finances, insurance, marital assets and family safety (if appropriate) while the divorce is pending.
The Lawrence H. Bloom firm realizes that your priority is the welfare of your children and we can help address your emotional and financial concerns by acting aggressively to ensure full disclosure of all personal and business income, expenses, assets and debts. We can help put legal tools in place to ensure that you and your children are supported financially during and after the divorce.
If you are currently facing a divorce, you may be anxious and intimidated by the divorce process. While your divorce may not be predictable, an experienced family law attorney will educate you on the process and help to set realistic expectations. With a clear understanding of the process, the law and your options, you have the ability to make informed decisions that offer the best chance for being satisfied with the outcome. By helping you understand the law and your options, we put you in control.
Divorce will require important decisions that have a continued affect on your life and the lives of your children. We help you to make objective decisions that will last a lifetime. As your partner in this process, Lawrence H. Bloom can explain your obligations within the framework of the law, offer advice based on experience, legal expertise and familiarity with different types of cases. Whether you’re looking for guidance to help you plan and protect your economic future, are trying to avoid divorce, need help in negotiating settlement agreements, or require convincing legal arguments if your case goes to court – we are here to aid you as you go about the business of your life. Call us in New York at (212) 964-3502 or New Jersey at (201) 925-8148. We can also be reached via email at Larry@divorcebybloom.com.
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