On May 4, 2007, Evanka Buttafuoco filed a divorce petition against Joey Buttafuoco citing “irreconcilable differences”. Evanka listed the couple’s assets to be “consumer debt only”. When asked about his divorce, Mr. Buttafuoco told The Post “All I can say is two words: I’m devastated. That’s all I can say.…
New Jersey Family Law Blog
Custody Battle – Bobby Brown Sues Whitney Houston
On April 26, 2007, Bobby Brown filed a lawsuit against ex-wife Whitney Houston in an attempt to change the custody terms as to their 14 year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina. In addition to the shared custody, he is seeking child support and spousal support. A court date has been set for…
New Jersey: Final Restraining Order Reversed on Grounds that Complaint was Insufficient
Loveland v. Hauke, N.J.Super.A.D., 2007 (unpublished opinion). This is a domestic violence case where the plaintiff alleged defendant acted with a purpose or intent to harass. The plaintiff, in attempting to explain her fear, attempted to testify to incidents that were not outlined in her complaint. In fact, the plaintiff…
New Jersey Kinship Legal Guardianship
N.J.S.A. 3B:12A-6 Appointment of caregiver as kinship legal guardian New Jersey Courts can appoint a child’s caregiver the legal guardian of that child. http://www.lsnj.org/keyRecentDevelopments/KinshipLegalGuardianship2.htm http://www.kidlaw.org/admin.asp?uri=2081&action=15&di=969&ext=pdf&view=yes N.J.S.A. 3B:12A-6(a) Appointment of caregiver as kinship legal guardian The Court makes the following considerations when determining whether to appoint the caregiver as kinship legal…
Custody – Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern
A custody hearing was conducted on April 13, 2007 to determine the custody of Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead’s baby, Dannielynn. The Court had unfortunately adjourned without a decision, and will resume in one week’s time. Despite this delay, Howard K. Stern reported that Mr. Birkhead is already doing…
New Jersey: Equitable Distribution of Disability Pension
In a divorce where defendant was the recipient of a disability pension benefit from the New Jersey Police and Firemen’s Retirement System, plaintiff was not allowed to receive that part of the pension representing reimbursement for disability and economic loss. Larrison v. Larrison, N.J.Super.A.D.,2007, April 05, 2007. The Larrison Court…
Paternity of Dannielynn, Official!
The DNA results are in! On April 10, 2007, the paternity of little Dannielynn, daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith has finally been proven, it’s Larry Birkhead. Mr. Birkhead emerged from the Bahamian closed-court hearing on April 10th, smiling proudly, pumping his fist, and throwing his hands in the…
New Jersey Child Support: Who Pays?
In New Jersey, someone other than a child’s biological parent can be responsible for making child support payments. Specifically, under the doctrine of equitable estoppel, persons who are not the natural parents may have an obligation to support those children as to which they are in loco parentis. Ross v.…
Former New Jersey Governor is in a Heated Custody Battle
The Star-Ledger reported yesterday that former New Jersey Governor, James E. McGreevey, who is in the midst of a divorce, has included among his request for relief the sole custody of the parties’ five year old daughter, Jacqueline. http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-11/11737647504550.xml&coll=1 The amended complaint seeks child support and provides Dina Matos McGreevey,…
New Jersey Marital Property: When Your Spouse Depletes Assets
DISSIPATION OF MARITAL PROPERTY One party may anticipate the marriage is failing, that divorce is imminent, and attempt to spend down marital assets. To that end, the wronged party may find themself in a position to receive little or nothing because of the ill will of the other party. Similar…