Jacobs Berger, LLC

Jacobs Berger, LLC Divorce. From Distressed to De-Stressed.

Divorce ~ Child Custody & Parenting Time Issues~ Equitable Distribution ~Alimony ~Child Support & College Expenses ~ Emancipation~ Relocation/Removal Actions~ Premarital Agreements~ Marital Settlement Agreements~ Domestic Violence~ Third Party Rights~ Complex Parentage Issues ~ Alternative Dispute Resolution~ Appeals~ Guardian ad Litem/Law Guardian Services

Q&A: Can I change how my co-parent and I communicate if what we’re doing now isn't working?💬 Short answer: Generally, ye...
09/02/2026

Q&A: Can I change how my co-parent and I communicate if what we’re doing now isn't working?

💬 Short answer: Generally, yes. What it takes depends on whether your communication method is written into a court order, or whether it's just an informal habit the two of you fell into.

If you don’t have formally documented communication requirements in your custody and parenting time agreement, you can technically change it anytime.

But informal arrangements can often lead to friction; with no agreed method and no record, misunderstandings can turn into longer-term frustrations and disputes. In these situations, consider modifying your arrangements to include communication expectations, e.g., which platform you'll use, how quickly each of you responds, and what counts as an emergency versus a routine update.

This will provide both you and your co-parent clear expectations about how you'll communicate.

If your method is already in your parenting plan, changing it takes a formal step, even if you both want it:

📄 By agreement: Your attorney can put the change in writing through a consent order, so it's official and enforceable.

📄 Through the court: If you and your co-parent aren’t able to agree, you can ask the court to modify the arrangement, usually by showing the current method isn't working.

Not sure what your situation calls for? Contact our team to coordinate your strategy planning session.

Does this sound familiar?Every handoff has turned into an argument. A simple text about a doctor's appointment can lead ...
08/31/2026

Does this sound familiar?

Every handoff has turned into an argument. A simple text about a doctor's appointment can lead to weeks of blame. You've tried staying calm, keeping it about your kids, meeting in the middle, and none of it seems to work.

Co-parenting generally starts with the assumption that you and your co-parent will be able to talk, coordinate, and work things out as they come. But some relationships don’t work in that model.

That's where parallel parenting comes in. In this TalkingParents article, JB's Sarah Jacobs breaks down how it works, who it works for, and what to do if you recognize your co-parenting relationship in this picture. Link in comments.

Thank you for sharing your experience, JG!When you’re in the middle of a divorce (or any other family law issue), it can...
08/28/2026

Thank you for sharing your experience, JG!

When you’re in the middle of a divorce (or any other family law issue), it can feel like a giant pile-on of deadlines, documents, and to-dos.

You’re dealing with a personal crisis, a major change in your life’s trajectory, and you’re being asked to wrap your head around legal jargon.

But, as JG puts it, our team’s job is to make it doable, even when it feels scary and stressful.

That’s our mission, and we’re here to help you navigate it.

High-conflict co-parenting has a way of turning quick questions into drawn-out battles. A question about pickup time can...
08/26/2026

High-conflict co-parenting has a way of turning quick questions into drawn-out battles. A question about pickup time can become an argument, or a schedule change can quickly devolve into a week of back-and-forth. Over time, managing the friction can crowd out the co-parenting itself.

The good news is that structure helps. A few habits, from how you send messages to when you respond, can lower the temperature and keep the focus where it belongs: on your children.

Swipe through 👉

08/24/2026

Custody and parenting time matters are important and emotional, and they bring a lot of questions.

So one thing we do is make sure our clients have a chance to ask them. And we answer the same questions as many times as you need it answered. That’s because those are the most important questions to you.

If you’re dealing with a complex custody matter and you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’re happy to help.

Contact us at the link in comments to coordinate your strategy planning session.

A custody arrangement was made for you and your co-parent. On paper, it made sense. It seemed manageable.But once you an...
08/21/2026

A custody arrangement was made for you and your co-parent. On paper, it made sense. It seemed manageable.

But once you and your co-parent began living that custody arrangement day to day? That may be a different story.

This is a common scenario for families adapting to life with a custody and parenting time plan. Sometimes the issue is navigating the logistics of the new schedule. For others, communication keeps breaking down or routine issues end up back in front of a judge.

Our recent JB blog takes a look at these scenarios and the role a parenting coordinator can play in resolving these recurring challenges.

Link in comments for the full read.

A little shoutout for our team today! This year, three of our attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion ...
08/20/2026

A little shoutout for our team today! This year, three of our attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 33rd edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

They include:

🏆 Sarah J. Jacobs, Esq., recognized in Family Law and Family Law Arbitration
🏆 Angela M. Scafuri, Esq., recognized in Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, and Family Law Mediation
🏆 Katelyn B. Sprotte, Esq., recognized in Family Law

Congratulations to Sarah, Angela, and Katelyn. Here’s to another year of collaboration and helping clients find a less stressful path through their family law matters.

*****

These recognitions are based entirely on peer review, with selections determined by confidential evaluations from other lawyers in the field.

No aspect of this recognition has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection methodology is available at BestLawyers.com.

Let’s say it’s your weekend with the kids, but a can’t-get-out-of-it work obligation comes up.Do you line up a babysitte...
08/17/2026

Let’s say it’s your weekend with the kids, but a can’t-get-out-of-it work obligation comes up.

Do you line up a babysitter, or does your co-parent get the first chance at spending time with them?

A right of first refusal clause in your parenting time plan answers that question in advance so you’re not scrambling at the moment.

This clause (which is optional) states that when one parent can't be there during their scheduled parenting time, they have to offer it to the other parent before making other arrangements.

In her TalkingParents article, JB's Sarah Jacobs breaks down how these clauses work with real examples, plus five tips for writing a clause that actually fits your family.

Link in comments.

Building a parenting time plan can feel like one of the most daunting parts of a divorce or separation.Where do you star...
08/14/2026

Building a parenting time plan can feel like one of the most daunting parts of a divorce or separation.

Where do you start?

What needs to be in it?

What happens when things change down the road?

Our blog breaks down how to build an arrangement that actually works for your family. In it, we cover what the plan should include, how to decide how much detail you need to incorporate, and what to do when circumstances change.

Visit the link in the comments to read.

JB partner Holly M. Friedland, Esq., president of the New Jersey chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation C...
08/13/2026

JB partner Holly M. Friedland, Esq., president of the New Jersey chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, was featured in a new NJ.com article on New Jersey's newly changed custody law.

For decades, custody decisions here have been based on the "best interest of the child." That standard remains the same, but statutory updates in 2026 changed how it's applied, particularly when it comes to a child's preferences. A preference that once played only a small role, typically for older children, now carries new weight. A child can speak with a judge privately, and that judge is required to address those wishes in a ruling.

The change has divided family law professionals, and Holly is among those urging caution. Her chief concern is that the law puts children in the middle of their parents' disputes. She notes, "I have seen an increase in the difficulty in parenting and custody matters getting resolved," adding that, "If you are 15, and right now you like living at dad's house and think mom is not great, you are not thinking, 'Will this be OK in six months?'"

Read the full article at the link in comments.

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