Fort Lee Created a Media News Storm in May of 2012

In what could easily be characterized as a perfect example of media histeria over a botched analysis, Fort Lee, NJ, became the talk of the nation. The reporting headlined what was supposedly a decision by the police in Fort Lee to start ticketing folks for texting while walking. The press even pointed to examples of pedestrians who had been fined $85 for so doing. When the smoke cleared, the truth was that nothing had really changed other than an emphasis. The Fort Lee Police were looking very hard at those who were jaywalking, and IF they were also texting they were more likely to get a ticket. But is there a time in the future when texting while walking will be cause for a ticket in New Jersey. It could easily happen. Bills have been offered to accomplish that result in New Jersey, but have not yet been passed. Should there be such laws? There is certainly plenty of science to show us that the risks to health, posture, life, and limb are significant for those who are inclined to walk head down, eyes on screen.

The Ohio State University “Distracted Walking: Injuries Soar for Pedestrians on Phones”

According to a report compiled by n 2004, an estimated 559 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms for injuries received while using a cell phone. That number dropped to 256 in 2005, but has risen every year since then. Meanwhile, the total number of pedestrians estimated to be treated in emergency rooms dropped from 97,000 in 2004 to 41,000 in 2010. If you have been involved in any type of accident where texting or the use of a cell phone caused or contributed to the accident, and you believe that you are due compensation, call the New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Aretsky and Aretsky, Attorneys at Law – 201-580-3411.

Whether you were served with divorce papers or you are the one seeking a divorce, this can be a very long and difficult process for all parties involved, especially if there are children caught in the middle. Unfortunately, it is all too common for the two people divorcing to allow their emotions to dictate their actions, which they often regret afterward. A lawyer is available to help sort through the issues that are most important to you, and to assist you in making appropriate preparations for the new life you will now have. It is understandable that you desire to protect your financial stability, and this is why it is especially important for you to hire a divorce attorney. This way, you not only desire to have your and your children’s best interests being represented, but you will have peace of mind knowing that someone is working to protect your rights, your assets and your financial future. Having a divorce lawyer will actually protect your ability to stay financially stable once the divorce process is completed.Once you know that divorce is the next step, it is important for you to hire a family lawyer to be your guide, protector, and defender. Here are some tips for finding a divorce/family lawyer that is a good fit for you.

1. Ask Around. It is likely that you have friends or family who have experienced a divorce and have had a personal experience.
2. Do Your Homework. Once you have a few names to contact, look online for reviews of this lawyer’s previous cases. Don’t be afraid to ask him/her for clients you can contact and inquire about the services they received. Ask whether the lawyer was easily accessible or whether the client had to wait several days before getting a call returned. Inquire about any unexpected fees that were added during the process.
3. Ask All The Questions You Want. This is your opportunity to conduct and interview and find out whether this lawyer is one you can trust with your divorce details. You may set up a consultation, but be sure to find out up front what the cost is. Most lawyers charge for an initial consultation, around $100-$200. Ask such questions as:
4. Go With Your Gut. If your initial reaction is uneasiness or a sense of not being understood or respected by this person, then walk away. It is better to lose a little bit of money because of a bad feeling than to stay with a lawyer who you do not feel comfortable with.
5. Get It In Writing. Once you have found the best family lawyer to represent you, be sure to get your agreement in writing. This is, after all, a business relationship and you want to make sure that you have a formal agreement of what this relationship will entail.

We work hard to ensure our clients are treated with the utmost care, especially while experiencing the pain and agony that divorce often brings. Call us today to set up a consultation so that we can help you plan for the next steps you need to take.

Our Hackensack divorce attorneys can help you if you believe your child support amount is unfair for any reason, if your ex has hired an attorney, if you have a business or other assets to protect, or if your ex is avoiding paying child support. Child support issues are not always simple. They are one of the most common causes of dispute in a divorce.Before you come to your first visit with an attorney, its helpful to have the latest information about your child support case . You can find your child support information on the state website: http://www.njchildsupport.org/# You can also call the New Jersey Child Support Information Line at 1-877-NJKIDS1, or visit your local office. The Bergen County Child Support office is located at 133 River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601 , and can be reached by phone at (201) 527-1200.The highly qualified Bergen County lawyers at Aretsky & Aretsky provide experienced, caring, and aggressive representation in the areas of Divorce, Criminal Defense, Employment Law and Personal Injury with offices in: Bergen County, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Mahwah, Fort Lee.

If your spouse has hurt you or threatened to hurt you, intentionally damaged your property, or repeatedly contacted you in a way that is annoying or intimidating, you may be able to get a restraining order against them. Our law firm serves many Fort Lee family law clients around these and other family law issues. A restraining order can require your spouse to do a of a number of things including: prohibit them from contacting you or others named in the order, from continuing the abusive behaviors, or from possessing a firearm. It can give you sole possession of the home you both live in, require them to pay for certain expenses, require them to undergo counseling, or other relief that you request for yourself or your children. If your spouse is being abusive, your family law attorney will help you collect the documentation you need of the abuse to get a restraining order. Your attorney can help you to decide what the order will compel your spouse to do or stop doing to keep you and your children safe. You may want to ask your attorney about pursuing criminal charges against your spouse.The highly qualified Bergen County lawyers at Aretsky & Aretsky provide experienced, caring, and aggressive representation in the areas of Divorce, Criminal Defense, Employment Law and Personal Injury with offices in: Bergen County, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Mahwah, Fort Lee.

As Bergen County employment law attorneys, we encounter all kinds of New Jersey employment concerns, from simple to unusual and complex.Here are some of common employment concerns that necessitate an attorney:1. Contact an attorney anytime you believe you were discriminated against on the basis of your race, nationality, sex, marital or domestic partnership status, age, medical condition or disability, or other protected status. Discrimination is always wrong , and an attorney will help you fight for justice and the compensation you deserve.2. You were not paid at least New Jersey minimum wage of $7.25 an hour for all the hours you worked. If you’ve been paid improperly, our employment attorneys in Bergen County can help you recover your wages.3. Workplace harrassment: No employee should ever be subjected to the hostile work environment created by sexual or other workplace harassment. Unlawful harassment can include unwelcome verbal conduct, such as racial slurs or offensive comments about the sexual orientation, religious dress, or disability of an employee. If you are a victim of unlawful harassment or discrimination, a Bergen County employment lawyer can help protect your employment rights.The highly qualified Bergen County lawyers at Aretsky & Aretsky provide experienced, caring, and aggressive representation in the areas of Divorce, Criminal Defense, Employment Law and Personal Injury with offices in: Bergen County, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Mahwah, Fort Lee.

Once they have made the difficult decision to get divorced, most people want it to be over as soon as possible. (If you are looking for a Ridgewood divorce attorney, see our website) The good news is that New Jersey does not have a waiting period for divorce, like some states do.If you have a simple case, no children, and few assets; or if you and your spouse are lucky enough to agree about most of the matters of the divorce; it could be all over in as soon as 2-3 months.For many divorcing couples, things are more complicated. While the dissolution itself doesn’t take long, things like parenting and dividing your assets can take longer to settle. Your attorney’s first priority is to make sure your interests are best represented in the final decision and that the process is fair to you, but they will also advise you on how to get it done as quickly as it can be.The highly qualified Bergen County lawyers at Aretsky & Aretsky provide experienced, caring, and aggressive representation in the areas of Divorce, Criminal Defense, Employment Law and Personal Injury with offices in: Bergen County, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Mahwah, Fort Lee.

Check out this article from The Jersey Journal about the debate over proposed law changes:Is alimony antiquated? Should child support depend on ability to pay?

“There’s a chorus of people shouting that alimony is a leftover from an earlier society and awards are arbitrary and unfair. They don’t complain as loudly about child support, but there’s a growing demand for amounts to be modified when payers hit economic hardships. Couples often wrangle over payments before, during and after their divorce, and few judges enjoy hearing their griping and sniping. In this not-so-great economy, complaints have grown even shriller and more frequent. Assemblyman Sean Kean of Monmouth County introduced legislation that already has been approved unanimously by Judiciary Committees in both houses of the Legislature. It would allow courts to modify child support and alimony payments when circumstances change. That means courts could lower payments if the paying spouse or parent lost a job or suffered some other significant decline in income lasting six months or more. Only if the income reduction wasn’t deliberate, of course….”

The highly qualified Bergen County lawyers at Aretsky & Aretsky provide experienced, caring, and aggressive representation in the areas of Divorce, Criminal Defense, Employment Law and Personal Injury with offices in: Bergen County, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Mahwah, Fort Lee.