Rachel L. Isaacs, Esq.

Short term divorce with high conflict custody issues

Client’s issue: The client’s spouse was taking highly aggressive and unreasonable positions that the client was not a fit parent and should only have supervised parenting time. The spouse filed countless frivolous motions to stop or limit parenting time based on bogus concerns of drug use, Covid precautions and other issues.

Our approach: We painted a clear picture for the judge of the other spouse’s improper motives in advance of the other spouse certifying to them. Every time the client’s spouse filed another frivolous motion, the judge could see that all of our predictions were accurate. This rightfully hurt the other party’s credibility.

Result achieved: The client obtained their desired result of more substantial and unsupervised parenting time.

Short term divorce with an unreasonable spouse seeking alimony

Client’s issue: Client provided a luxurious lifestyle for their spouse despite their marriage being short in duration. The spouse took unreasonable positions regarding alimony and other financial issues.

Our approach: We weakened the spouse’s resolve with voluminous discovery requests and deposition to force a favorable settlement. We demonstrated through an analysis of the spouse’s bank and credit card records that they did not have a need for alimony and were able to support themselves.

Result achieved: Our client’s spouse ultimately withdrew the alimony claim.

Bread-winning spouse in long-term marriage

Client’s issue: Client had limited funds for legal fees in addition to substantial debt and expenses. The client’s spouse was harboring a grudge over an affair and took unreasonable positions about alimony and equitable distribution.

Our approach: To provide “behind the scenes” consulting to the client on an as needed basis, but not enter a formal appearance in the case to keep the client’s legal fees down.

Result achieved: Client was able to reach a fair settlement with spouse in economic mediation.

Post-judgment enforcement

Client’s issue: Client’s ex-spouse was not honoring the marital settlement agreement which required her to cooperate in reunification therapy for the children and the client.

Our approach: This was a clear cut issue of contempt. We decided to draft the motion papers for the client and consult with the client on how to handle oral argument with the judge himself. This kept legal fees down so they could go towards the costly reunification therapy,

Result achieved: Client was able to successfully enforce the marital settlement agreement. Judge ordered the other party to cooperate with the reunification therapy.

Short-term marriage with high conflict custody issues

Client’s issue: The client suffered from drug abuse and anger issues in the past, and their spouse was attempting to use that as leverage in a custody dispute.

Our approach: We encouraged the client to agree to a neutral professional supervisor for custody and parenting time with both parties sharing the cost. By the time we got to court, the judge had the benefit of reviewing neutral professional supervision reports.

Result achieved: The judge was satisfied with the reports, ordered immediate unsupervised parenting time, and did not require drug testing even though it was being requested by the other parent.

“One night stand” custody case

Client’s issue: Client had a “one night stand” with someone resulting in a pregnancy. Client wanted to play an active role, but the other parent would not allow the client to participate, attend prenatal appointments, or go to the hospital when the baby was born.

Our approach: We instructed the client to record his first meeting with the child in the presence of the other party and her overbearing parents (who were paying her legal fees and unreasonably demanding all visitation take place in their home). We then transcribed the recording for the judge.

Result achieved: The judge was appalled at the other party and her parents’ actions and ordered immediate 50/50 custody.

Defendant in a restraining order proceeding

Client’s issue: The client’s spouse was trying to use a bogus domestic violence complaint to gain the upper hand in subsequent divorce litigation.

Our approach: We cross-examined the plaintiff to demonstrate improper motives and question their credibility. This showed the judge that the restraining order was nothing more than a tactic to obtain a more favorable outcome In the divorce.

Result achieved: Client successfully defeated the restraining order.

Child support calculation in a high income “non-guidelines” child support case

Client’s issue: Client was a successful business owner with a large income that exceeded the New Jersey child support guidelines. The other parent was seeking excessive amounts of support that were inconsistent with the child’s actual needs.

Our approach: We performed a detailed analysis of the statutory child support factors for the judge to derive a reasonable child support figure that was in line with the child’s actual needs.

Result achieved: We were able to obtain a reasonable child support award that satisfied the client.

Divorce with minimal assets but high conflict custody issues

Client’s issue: Client’s spouse was an abusive narcissist. Client’s primary concern was safeguarding the children and obtaining permission to relocate out of state.

Our approach: Provided the judge with voluminous evidence of the other spouse’s abusive behavior via text message screenshots, photos, police reports and videos.

Result achieved: Client was able to achieve desired goal of relocation and of limiting the children’s exposure to the other parent until he got mental health and anger management counseling.

Long-term divorce where the parties had been separated for the majority of the marriage

Client’s issue: The client’s only retirement income was a 401k that he needed to protect from distribution to the estranged wife.

Our approach: A creative “outside of the box” analysis of the statutory equitable distribution factors to demonstrate why a 50/50 equitable distribution was inappropriate in this particular case.

Result achieved: The judge awarded the other spouse a smaller portion of the marital share of the client’s 401k.

Short term marriage with house as the only asset

Client’s issue: Client contributed a greater share of the down payment on the home.

I love the varied aspects of the practice and the unique “think outside of the box” approach to cases, clients, and issues that has been cultivated since the day I began working for The Micklin Law Group, LLC — five and a half years ago!

I completed my judicial clerkship with the Hon. Joseph P. Testa, J.S.C. (retired now) in the family part. As I completed my clerkship, I fell in love with the practice of family law. There are so many different facets involved in the practice of family law that it keeps each day (each hour for that matter) really interesting. One day you can be working on a relocation case, the next day you can be working on a cohabitation case, and the day after that a divorce trial.

In my practice, I always make sure to take a step back and remember that, while I do this for a living day in and day out, the court system and the legal process can be extremely confusing and sometimes traumatic for people. I reassure clients each step of the way during the progression of their case and explain things in a straightforward but compassionate manner without patronizing anyone.

Nutley is a very friendly town where everybody seems to know everybody, but even if you are not from around here (which I’m not), everybody is really nice and welcoming.