As a Divorce attorney in New Jersey, I’ve seen a lot of things happen in courtrooms and around courthouses. Sometimes the courts are so civil and orderly, other times, it seems like the Jerry Springer Show is being recorded live in the courtroom. This article focuses on the Hudson County Vicinage located at 595 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ.
Divorce Case in Hudson County, New Jersey
While each county court must comply with New Jersey court rules, each county has its own approach. Today’s article focuses on the Hudson County Family Court.
The Chief Judge of the family section is Judge Maureen Sogluizzo. Judge Sogluizzo manages the family bench and also handles the heavy marital/divorce caseload. The judge was impartial and did not tolerate the alienation of parents and he had great respect for the people in the Armed Forces. Through his leadership, one of the most important programs during divorce litigation is the expansion of the Early Settlement Panel which gives people who have attorneys a great opportunity to settle their cases without going through the costs and stress of trial.
Judge Daniel D’Alessandro
The next judge, Judge D’Alessandro is a lifelong resident of Jersey City and Hudson County. He had his own law practice on Kennedy Blvd in Jersey City, NJ for many years before being appointed a High Court Judge in the Hudson Vicinage. Judge D’Alessandro is a very calm judge who rarely if ever raises his voice and is someone who takes his time in making decisions. Judges focus their calendar mainly on divorce cases, child custody and post-divorce motions
Judge Maureen Mantineo
Judge Mantineo was the former presiding judge of the family division until he left to handle civil cases for a short time. He was warmly welcomed back by the benches and the bar. Hakim Mantineo is someone who is focused, very hard working and easy to like and will like you if you are honest. Judge Mantineo values the relationship between mother and son and father and son regardless of the problems that parents may face.
A Brief Synopsis of the Timeline for a Contested Divorce in New Jersey
- Divorce is filed and presented to the opposite party
- The opposing party submits an answer or appearance
- Case Management Conferences are held where lawyers present the issues in dispute to judges and the amount of time they need to make what is called a discovery.
- Discovery Begins- Each party has the right to request information from the other depending on the matter in dispute. Examples of items requested or requested are: bank statements, tax returns, retirement asset statements, debt statements, employment records, loan documents and so on.
- After the discovery is complete or nearing completion, the parties attend the Early Settlement Panel (ESP) at the local High Court Building where each party submits their position to a panelist who will provide a non-binding opinion on the case and how it will be resolved.
- After the ESP, the parties go to the Judge and explain if the issue is resolved and if not, they should choose an economic mediator to try and settle it there one last time. Trial dates can be given at this post ESP conference.
- If the parties do not resolve all the issues, the remaining issues will be tried before a Judge to decide. A Family Court Court is a trial by a Judge not by a Jury.
- Decision given. The parties have 45 days to appeal.
