New Jersey Family Law Attorney
Your story matters.
Be the author of the next chapter of your life.
Matters of the family are delicate and complex, being unique to the parties and situations involved. With over fifteen years of experience culled from boutique family law firms in New Jersey, Kim Family Law has a big firm perspective with a small firm approach. We deliver unparalleled, passionate, and effective advocacy to ensure that clients’ needs are placed at the forefront. Our hands-on, team oriented approach enables us to work together to obtain the outcome clients need to move forward.
Family Law Services
Divorce
Sometimes our lives transition in ways we never imagined. How your divorce is handled can alter your future in many ways, including your financial situation and your relationship with your children. At Kim Family Law, we work hard to protect you and your family through compassionate advocacy, dedicated navigation of all the twists and turns in the process and sound advice regarding every decision along the way.
In a divorce the goal for all parties involved should be to determine a future that they both can accept. Whether your path is amicable or requires aggressive representation, Kim Family Law is with you through it all. We have extensive experience when it comes to all aspects of divorce, including but not limited to complex asset division, determination of appropriate support, the effects of business ownership, premarital assets, and the interplay of custody and child-related issues.
Alimony & Spousal Support
If one party is seeking spousal support from the other, a court will consider the relevant statutory factors, including duration of the marriage, the parties’ income, assets obtained, earning capacity of each party, and the standard of living established during the marriage, to determine if alimony is appropriate. In order to determine the level and length of a party’s support obligation, a court will balance and weigh the statutory factors and award a support figure that can be paid on a temporary, limited duration or open durational period.
At Kim Family Law, we have extensive experience with a wide range of income scenarios and unique fact patterns, and are committed to helping secure a financial future that provides each of our clients peace of mind as they move forward into the next phase of their life.
Child Custody & Support
Whether you are undergoing a divorce or separation as a parent, establishing a suitable custody and parenting time arrangement is critical for everyone involved. In determining custody, the Court’s primary role is to protect the best interests of the children, and there are statutory factors that the Courts consider in rendering such determination.
Once custody has been established, child support is a necessary part of the process. In New Jersey, parents are required to financially provide for their children and Courts utilize the Child Support Guidelines to determine the appropriate level of support. There are situations where the Courts do deviate from the Guidelines and at Kim Family Law, we are skilled at directing you through these scenarios to reach a fair and reasonable result.
Our New Jersey child custody and child support lawyers are highly experienced in helping parents in reaching appropriate custody and parenting time schedules that meet their unique needs and negotiating a fair child support award, while also ensuring that their children’s best interests are at the forefront.
Prenuptial Agreements
The purpose of prenuptial agreements is to avoid a potentially acrimonious divorce by addressing issues which could arise, prior to a marriage. These issues include the division of property, the treatment of the party’s non-marital assets, and the rights of the parties to seek support.
While entering into these types of agreements can be uncomfortable, it is important that you understand your rights and feel secure in the protection of your premarital wealth, estate, and potential future inheritance, in the event of an unfortunate separation and divorce.
At Kim Family Law, we focus on arming you with the knowledge to determine whether your matter requires these unique protections and will craft a solid agreement that best protects your assets to ensure your financial security.
Post Judgment Issues
After two parties have finalized their divorce or entered into an agreement resolving their issues, conflicts may still arise.
These issues often relate to enforcement of an agreement in which a spouse fails to perform a certain act, such as paying support, child support, or abiding by the custody and parenting time arrangements. These post-judgment issues can also arise where one or both parties seek to modify a provision of their agreement due to changed circumstances.
At Kim Family Law, we understand that our professional relationship may not end when the Judgment, Settlement Agreement or parenting time agreement is finalized. We also know that you may need a fresh take on your custodial or financial arrangement and/or agreement and assistance on your post -judgment related issues. We are ready, willing and able to handle all of your post-judgment needs.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence can take many forms and needs to be handled swiftly and efficiently. We are experienced at obtaining restraining orders and providing you with any and all protections that may be necessary. We also have knowledge of how abuse and narcissistic behaviors impact divorce proceedings, custody and parenting time, and all other family law issues.
Most importantly, we understand the psychological effects narcissistic and violent behaviors can have on you and your children, and are committed to helping clients address those effects before, during and after the legal process. We endeavor to ensure that all necessary protections and safeguards are set forth in any global resolution of your matter.
Mediation Support
In every case, parties should first consider whether mediation is the appropriate method to conclude your matter. If you choose to attend mediation, you should not do it on your own. Kim Family Law is with you every step of the way. Should you decide to go this route, you will have our full support and advice, before, during and after mediation to help you reach your desired outcome.
Grandparent Visitation
The area of family law that covers grandparent visitation is complex. The relevant New Jersey case law provides that a parent’s fundamental right to raise a child as he or she sees fit encompasses the authority to determine visitation by third parties, including grandparents. However, if a grandparent is seeking visitation, they must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that denial of the visitation they seek would result in harm to the child. Only after they have met this burden, will the Court apply a best-interests analysis to resolve disputes over visitation. With full knowledge as to the present standard for grandparent visitation, Kim Family Law understands your rights and options and will guide you through the process, whether you are seeking or objecting to grandparent visitation.
Appeals
When a case concludes at trial or after a court hearing, you may feel aggrieved on decisions made by the trial court, which may have been contrary to the law, not based upon the record below or factually incorrect. If you face such a circumstance, it is important to have experienced counsel representing you, with knowledge of the appellate process and Court rules.
We have been on the brief on eight Unreported Decisions and one reported decision: Giarusso v. Giarusso, 455 N.J Super. 42 (App. Div. 2018)
At Kim Family Law, we will review your matter before an appeal to ensure that your case is in the best strategic position for an appeal. We work closely with you to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your matter, review your matter, draft the appeal, and prepare for oral argument to maximize the chances for success.
Special Needs Family Support
Navigating a divorce or separation with a special needs child can have its challenges, especially as it pertains to financial and custody related issues, including but not limited to making decisions regarding the requisite level of care, ensuring appropriate receipt of governmental benefits, and obtaining security for the child’s future needs. This can be compounded when a child’s special needs are so significant that the child will never be able to live on their own without assistance. In that instance, a parent may be required to sacrifice their work or career to enable him/her to care for the child. This responsibility can impact spousal support, child support and continued maintenance of the child and the interplay with governmental benefits to which that child may be entitled.
At Kim Family Law, we will work closely with you to come up with a settlement plan that does not interfere with those benefits. This includes working hand in hand with estate and special needs counsel to ensure that the appropriate trusts are set up and estate plans are in place to avoid interruption or disqualification of these benefits.
LGBTQ Divorce/Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships
Kim Family Law is knowledgeable and experienced on the rights of same sex couples and is committed to supporting and empowering the LGBTQ community. We have the skill and experience necessary to craft solutions tailored to the needs of LGBTQ individuals in all areas of family law, including dissolving civil unions and marriages, drafting prenuptial/civil union agreements for LGBTQ couples, addressing custody and parenting issues, defending and advocating on domestic violence issues, and handling any other issues which may arise.
With the right person in your corner, you can be happier.
client experiences
About Ruth Kim
Ruth Kim is an experienced legal advisor with a demonstrated track record of zealous advocacy, hard work, compassion, and dedication to her clients. Ruth has over fifteen years of experience in leading boutique and high-level family law firms in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Union counties, and is well-versed at handling matters involving high net worth clients, complex financial businesses, child custody, divorce, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, same-sex family law, custody, visitation and parenting time, legal separation, and division of assets and liabilities.
Ruth also handles matters involving divorce and special needs children and has successfully achieved results for those clients dealing with difficult decisions and the unknown, while ensuring that the best interests of their special needs child remained the priority and in the forefront. Ruth also has extensive appellate practice, having been on the Brief of eight unpublished appellate decisions and one published appellate decision, Giarusso v. Giarusso, 455 N.J. Super. 42 (App. Div. 2018).
Outside the Courtroom
Ruth lives in Bergen County with her husband, her two sons, her daughter and dog, Indiana. When she isn’t in the office, Ruth loves going to the gym, running Spartan races, a good shopping spree, quality time with friends and family, listening to country music, drinking a fine glass of bourbon, and all things Boston sports, including the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics (please don’t hold this against her, Giants and Yankees fans!). She is also a die-hard Duke basketball fan (don’t hold this against her as well).
Featured Interviews
To Litigate or Not Litigate Your Divorce: Part 1
To Litigate or Not Litigate Your Divorce: Part 2
Schedule your initial case analysis today.
The first step is a conversation. Let’s get to know each other so we can learn about your unique situation and understand your expectations and goals for your desired outcome. We will be honest and straightforward about what you can expect to happen, giving you the tools to make the most informed choice.
201-494-5800
Please call or fill out this form below and we will reach out and setup a time to discuss your situation.
Selected
Member of
