Denial of A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO); No Predicate Act or Credibility, and Reliance on Irrelevant Facts

L.E.A. v. M.A. Docket No. A-4174-18T3 Decided December 16, 2020 Submitted by New Jersey Domestic Violence Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished decision the Appellate Division reversed a trial court’s denial of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), as the Court failed to make appropriate findings as to a predicate act, failed to make credibility…

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Carfagno Factors and Dissolving A Restraining Order

A.J.C. v. G.A.C. Docket No. A-5236-18T1 Decided December 8, 2020 Submitted by New Jersey Family Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished decision the Appellate Division dissolved a Final Restraining Order (FRO) after the plaintiff engaged in sexual relations numerous times with the defendant during the period the FRO was in effect. In A.J.C., on…

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SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER DECISIONS

Submitted by New Jersey Domestic Violence Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Credibility is the single most important factor in a Judge’s decision to grant a Final Restraining Order (FRO).  With these matters, there is often little or no evidence detailing that events other than your testimony.  If social media contradicts your testimony or demeanor, or shows you…

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Award of Sole Custody, Equitable Distribution, Debt Allocation, Child Support, and Counsel Fee Award From a Default Hearing

K.M.L. v. R.J.L. Docket No. A-4423-18T3 Decided October 8, 2020 Submitted by New Jersey Family Law Firm, Hark and Hark. In a recent unpublished decision the Appellate Division reviewed a trial court’s award of sole custody, equitable distribution, debt allocation, child support, and counsel fee award from a default hearing against the defendant. In K.M.L., plaintiff…

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Restraining Order Opinion and Counsel Fees

R.T. v. Z.S. Docket No. A-3738-18T3 Decided June 23, 2020 Submitted by the New Jersey Domestic Violence Law Firm, Hark and Hark. In a recent unpublished decision the Appellate Division reviewed a trial judge’s decision to award counsel fees to a defendant after a plaintiff failed to obtain a Final Restraining Order (FRO). In R.T.,…

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Final Restraining Order Dismissed Though the Plaintiff was Physically Assaulted

P.E.O. v. R.J. Docket No. A-5354-18T1 Decided May 11, 2020 Submitted by New Jersey Domestic Violence Law Firm, Hark and Hark. In a recent unpublished decision, the Appellate Division considered whether Final Restraining Order (FRO) was properly dismissed although the plaintiff was physically assaulted, the parties lacked a history of domestic violence. In P.E.O., the…

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