Sweeping changes to New Jersey alimony were signed into effect by Gov. Chris Christie in September 2014. Understanding the changes is vital to women seeking a divorce in New Jersey, particularly those who were stay-at-home mothers or who relied solely on their husband’s income. Four of the most important changes to New Jersey alimony include:
- An end to permanent alimony. Alimony is no longer permanent in New Jersey. Ex-spouses paying alimony may now petition to end payments once they reach retirement age. The law also allows spouses who were paying alimony prior to the change in law to petition to end payments once they reach age 67.
- In marriages of less than 20 years, the length of time the paying ex-spouse must pay alimony now can no longer exceed the duration of the marriage.
- Paying ex-spouses who lose their jobs can apply to have payments reduced after they’ve been unemployed for 90 consecutive days.
- In the past, alimony payments typically would end if an ex-spouse remarried. Ex-spouses who had a live-in partner would continue to receive payments, however. The new alimony laws now allow ex-spouses paying alimony to petition to end those payments if the ex-spouse receiving alimony has a live-in partner.
The Micklin Law Group, LLC is a New Jersey law firm focusing exclusively on family law for men and women. Attorney Brad Micklin was recently named to The National Advocates list of Top 100 attorneys from each state. To set up a consultation, call 973-562-0100.
