Family/Domestic

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If you are going through a divorce, you have likely found yourself in a situation that you never intended nor anticipated. Emotions undoubtedly run high, and with your family and your future hanging in the balance, the stakes are infinitely higher. An experienced New Jersey divorce attorney can serve as your greatest asset throughout the divorce process, providing you with the support, guidance, and aggressive advocacy that you need to reach your desired outcome.

In some cases, one spouse will be given the right to receive regular support payments from the other, in order to maintain the standard of living that they enjoyed during the marriage. The applicability and amount of alimony is by no means concrete. In fact, alimony determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, after the Court considers a host of factors, ranging from the age and health to the earning potential of both spouses. We can counsel you on your rights and responsibilities in New Jersey, or help you seek modifications to existing orders of support. 

Child custody often represents the most challenging of divorce-related issues, as each parent has his or her own ideas about the custody configuration that is in the best interests of the child. New Jersey delineates among “physical” and “legal” custody. Physical custody refers to the parent with whom the child will live, while legal custody refers to the parent who is given the authority to make important decisions about how the child is raised (i.e. religious, medical, and educational decisions). There are a multitude of potential child custody arrangements, ranging from sole physical and legal custody granted to one parent, to shared physical and legal custody for both parents. We can help you to create a child custody agreement that best serves the needs of you and your family, and if possible, one that facilitates successful co-parenting for you and your spouse. However, if this is not a viable option, we will pursue a ferocious trial strategy that protects the interests of your children.

Under New Jersey law, children have a right to financial support from both parents, regardless of the parents’ relationship status. In other words, whether the parents are married, living together, or no longer in contact, or do not currently have income, a shared child involves certain rights and responsibilities. Child support is among the chief responsibilities of parents. Child support in New Jersey is determined based on a fixed formula, outlined in Court Rule 5:6A and Appendix IX, known as the Child Support Guidelines.  

Accusations of domestic abuse are very serious and emotional matters. Domestic violence victims come from all walks of life. In addition, issues of domestic violence are not confined to married couples, and may affect former spouses, couples who are currently dating or were formerly linked romantically, any members of the same household, or parents who share a child. Whether your spouse or someone else has been violent toward you or you have been accused of domestic violence, you deserve the best available legal representation to protect yourself and your legal rights.

Divorce mediation is quickly emerging as the most preferred Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method for resolving divorces in New Jersey and around the country. Given that mediation takes place outside of the courtroom, it offers a number of significant advantages over more traditional divorce litigation in terms of speed, expense, privacy, and reduced stress and conflict.

Marital agreements can play a vital role in the growth, and success, of any relationship. When you and your spouse or partner can openly discuss your needs and concerns, both as a couple and as individuals, you are creating the building blocks for a relationship that understands the importance of preparing for and protecting your future.

Planning for the future is an essential component of just about everything we do, and this is especially true when it comes to Estate Planning. Without a well-crafted and legally sound plan for your estate in place, you run the risk of forfeiting much that you have worked so hard to achieve, both in terms of tax penalties as well as the directed allocation of your assets.

Businesses rely on contracts to regulate how their company is run and to prevent potential pitfalls from jeopardizing their day to day operations. When a legal contract is breached by one or more parties, litigation may be necessary to resolve any issues and recover damages that were caused by the breach. When two or more parties sign a business contract together, they agree to certain obligations that must be fulfilled by everyone who enters into the agreement. Therefore, if one party fails to fulfill any of its contractual obligations, they have broken or “breached” the contract. Such an action is punishable by law as contracts are legally binding.

Examples of a breach of contract include:

• Failure to complete a job
• Failure to deliver services or goods
• Failure to pay in a timely manner
• Failure to provide services
• Misrepresentation of assets being used as collateral
• Providing services or goods that are subpar
• Violation of an employment non-compete clause

• Car accidents: A prompt investigation is critical to discovering all causes of an accident and injuries.

• Drunk driving accidents: Timing may be especially important in the case of a crash involving a driver with an elevated blood alcohol level.

• Truck and bus accidents: Commercial vehicle accident cases often have complex insurance issues to resolve. Contact a law firm with ample experience helping the injured obtain compensation.

• Motorcycle accidents: An injured motorcyclist should not be presumed to be at fault without a detailed investigation. Unfortunately, police, insurance companies and juries often assume this is the case without sufficient evidence.

• Pedestrian accidents: We can help you obtain compensation after a hit-and-run crosswalk accident or any type of pedestrian accident.

• Boating accidents: Our law firm has helped boating accident victims in Toms River, Monmouth County, Ocean County and throughout the state.

• Defective products: Sometimes an investigation into the cause of a car or boating accident case reveals that a defective part contributed to the crash.

• Slip-and-fall: If you suffered a broken bone, back injury or head injury  in an ice and snow accident or other premises accident, we can evaluate your case.

• Dog bites: Listen carefully to the advice of a plastic surgeon. Do not settle a dog bite case until you have a clear idea of the prognosis.

• Construction accidents: There may be a third-party liability claim in addition to a workers' compensation case after a workplace accident at a building site. This is also true of any type of on-the-job injury.

• Toxic torts: If you were made sick or if your family member died because of exposure to toxic chemicals, talk to a personal injury attorney.

• Spinal cord injury: We understand that you need compensation not only for medical treatment after a serious accident, but also for rehabilitation and personal care long term.

• Burn injury: Be careful not to settle a burn injury claim too soon. You may need plastic surgery at a later time. Talk to a lawyer to learn how to get your medical bills paid now as well as plan for the future.

• Wrongful death: Next of kin gratefully turn to the Law Office of Kisha J. Pinnock, P.C. for respectful legal services and confident representation after a fatality. We  manage wrongful death claims for bereaved family members.