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Category Archives: Family

NOTICE TO THE BAR: Family Division Reassignments

Author By J.G.Posted on

Effective April 1, 2023, the Judicial assignments are as follows:

PRE-JUDGMENT- Dissolution (FM) Motions & Trials
Docket Nos.
01-100   Darren T. DiBiasi, J.S.C.

POST-JUDGMENT – Dissolution (FM) Motions & Plenary Hearings
Docket Nos.
01-05     Jane Gallina-Mecca, J.S.C.
06-10    Darren T. DiBiasi, J.S.C.
11-35     Magali M. Francois, J.S.C.
36-60    Jaclyn Medina, J.S.C.
61-80    Michael Antoniewicz, J.S.C.

81-100.  Amy E. Lefkowitz, J.S.C.

Due to the high number of judicial vacancies, the Bar is encouraged to exhaust all methods of alternate dispute resolution prior to filing an application in the FM docket. The vacancies, coupled with the high volume of filings, have also necessitated the Court to run on a delayed motion schedule. Judges Melchionne and Guida will be handling ISCs and Judge Janeczko will be handling defaults and domestic violence trials until the end of May.

In addition, the following matters will be heard by:
Judge Gallina-Mecca – Non-Dissolution, Children in Court, FC Summary Hearings
Judge Francois – Juvenile, Domestic Violence, Summary Immigrant Juvenile, Children in Court
Judge Medina -Non-Dissolution, Summary Immigrant Juvenile, Child Support Enforcement
Judge Antoniewicz -Domestic Violence, Termination of Parental Rights, Weapons
Judge Lefkowitz – Domestic Violence, Contempts

/s/ Peter J. Melchionne, P.J.F.P.

 

FAMILY LAW REASSIGNMENTS

A Message From the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.J.S.C., and the Honorable Carol Novey Catuogno, J.S.C.

Author By J.G.Posted on

With the approval of the Chief Justice, Judge Catuogno and I are delighted to announce:

  • Hon. Robert M. Vinci, J.S.C., in addition to his civil assignment, is being temporarily assigned to the Chancery Division. It is anticipated that upon Hon. Lisa Perez-Friscia’s permanent elevation to the Appellate Division as of August 1, 2023, Judge Vinci’s re-assignment to Chancery shall become permanent as well.
  • Hon. Gregg A. Padovano, J.S.C., will, upon Hon. Rachelle Lea Harz’s retirement on June 1, 2023, be named our Multi-County Litigation Judge.
  • Hon. Mary F. Thurber, J.S.C., has been named our Complex Business Judge, effective immediately; and
  • Hon. Jane Gallina-Mecca will, upon Hon. Peter J. Melchionne’s retirement on June 1, 2023, be named the Presiding Judge of the Family Part.

Civil and Family – Resumption of Courtesy Copy Requirement as of January 1, 2023

Author By J.G.Posted on

The Supreme Court in the attached October 24, 2022 Order has concluded the temporary suspension of the requirement to submit paper “courtesy copies” to the judge in Civil and Family matters. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2023, attorneys must send paper copies to the judge as required by Rule 1:6-4 (“Superior Court; Place for Filing Motions, Orders to Show Cause and Orders”).

Questions on the Court’s Order may be directed to the Civil Practice Division at (609) 815-2900 X54900 or the Family Practice Division at (609) 815-2900 x55350.

/s/ Glenn A. Grant

Administrative Director of the Courts

Dated: October 25, 2022

Notice – Civil and Family – Resumption of Courtesy Copy Requirement as of January 1, 2023 – Notice Dated 10-25-22

Order – Rescinding Temporary Suspension of Courtesy Copy Requirement – Dated 10-24-22 – Effective 01-01-23

GUARDIANSHIP MATTERS

Author By J.G.Posted on

As of November 1, 2022, the standard hourly fee in guardianship matters for court appointed counsel shall increase to $275.00 per hour.

In matters in which individuals have greater financial resources, Chancery Judges shall consider augmenting that hourly amount.

For those individuals who have contributed their time and energies at a reduced rate, your efforts and generosity are recognized and appreciated.

/s/ Hon. Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.J.S.C.
Dated: October 21, 2022

Notice to the Bar – Guardianship Matters

USER ACCESS ROLE IN eCOURTS FOR ATTORNEYS’ STAFF EXPANDED TO eCOURTS FAMILY

Author By J.G.Posted on

The Judiciary in October 2021 announced the creation of a new eCourts user access role for attorneys’ staff using an independent user ID; see the October 1, 2021 Notice. Initially limited to Criminal eCourts, this user access role for attorneys’ staff was expanded in March 2022 to also include eCourts for Civil Law, General Equity, Special Civil Part, and Tax Court, as well as the eCourts Expungement System; see the March 24, 2022 Notice. This notice is to advise that this user access role for attorneys’ staff is being further expanded to eCourts Family effective September 30, 2022.

To acquire this user access, attorneys’ staff must first register via the Judiciary website at the self-registration portal. Once registered, the attorneys’ staff person must provide that new user ID to the attorney so that the attorney can associate the staff person’s account to the attorney’s bar ID. Once that has been done, the attorneys’ staff may electronically file documents, view the case jacket, and save and print documents using their user access without the need to use the attorney’s credentials.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at SCCO.mailbox@njcourts.gov or 609-421-6100.

/s/ Glenn A. Grant,

Administrative Director of the Courts

September 29, 2022

Notice – User Access Role in eCourts for Attorneys’ Staff Expanded to eCourts Family – as signed – 09-29-22

 

Family Division Reassignments

Author By J.G.Posted on

NOTICE TO THE BAR FAMILY DIVISION REASSIGNMENTS

Effective September 6, 2022, the Judicial assignments are as follows:

Dissolution (FM) Motions and Trials/ Post-Judgment – Motions and Plenary Hearings

Pre- Post-
Docket Nos. JUDGE Docket Nos.
01-25 Peter J. Melchionne, P.J.F.P. 01-05 Peter J. Melchionne, P.J.F.P.
26-55 James J. Guida, J.S.C. 06-10 James J. Guida, J.S.C.
56-70 Jane Gallina-Mecca, J.S.C. 11-15 Darren T. DiBiasi, J.S.C.
71-00 Darren T. DiBiasi, J.S.C. 16-25 Jane Gallina-Mecca, J.S.C.
26-40 Magali M. Francois, J.S.C.
41-55 Jaclyn Medina, J.S.C.
56-70 Mark T. Janeczko, J.S.C.
71-85 Nina C. Remson, J.S.C.
86-00 Michael Antoniewicz, J.S.C.

In addition, the Judges will hear the following matters:

Judge Francois (Room 152) Juvenile; Children in Court, Domestic Violence and Special Immigrant Juvenile matters Judge Janeczko (Room 108) Domestic Violence; Weapons Forfeiture
Judge Mecca (Room 336) Children in Court
Judge Medina (Room 338) Non-Dissolution and Special Immigrant Juvenile matters Judge Remson (Room 354) Non-Dissolution; Contempt
Judge Antoniewicz (Room 317) Domestic Violence; Children in Court Judge Mizdol, AJ (Room 426) Children in Court FC Summary Hearings

Read More

The Family Files: Family Law Committee Report-Status of the Family Part (12/10/21)

Author By J.G.Posted on

BRUCE EVAN CHASE, ESQ.
Bergen County Bar Association
Co-Chair, Family Law Committee

On December 10, 2021, Judge Melchionne agreed to meet with me and to provide an update of certain information important to the Family Part and the practicing Bar.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MATTERS
First appearances continue to be conducted via Zoom platform. However, all other proceedings are now being conducted “live” in the courthouse. The change from “Zoom” proceedings was in part a reaction to litigants participating in online, video proceedings while in a car, in a bathroom, and in a coffee shop!

To deal with the domestic violence backlog, in addition to Judge Antoniewicz and Judge Janeczko regularly assigned to FV, Judge Francois has a domestic violence additional assignment one day per week. The FM Judges were enlisted to assist by covering FV calendars as needed and maintaining the cases they are assigned. Read More

A Message from Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant: Reduced On-Site Presence of Judges and Staff for First Two Weeks of January 2022

Author By J.G.Posted on

In light of the current COVID-19 surge and consistent with COVID-19 public health recommendations, the Judiciary will reduce on-site presence of judges and staff for the first two weeks of January 2022. As we monitor and assess the changing COVID-19 conditions, we currently plan to resume regular on-site presence as of Monday, January 17, 2022.

During this period, notwithstanding the reduced on-site presence, all state court locations will continue to be fully open to the public and all judicial operations will continue uninterrupted. State court judges and court staff will support all essential functions and conduct emergent matters. In-person trials already in progress may continue. Virtual jury selection and virtual trials will continue but jurors will not report in-person for new trials until after January 17. Certain in-person court events will also proceed as scheduled. The Presiding Judge for Administration of the Appellate Division, Vicinage Assignment Judges, and the Presiding Judge of the Tax Court will provide judges with more detailed guidance as to ongoing and scheduled in-person court events during this time.

Managers will provide further direction regarding work requirements, including as to employee requirements to report on-site to court locations during this time.

Everyone is reminded of the importance of following the masking and social distancing requirements when working in on-site locations. Care should also be taken when working remotely and outside of work.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week issued revised isolation and quarantine recommendations. In light of those recommendations, the Judiciary is in the process of revising certain COVID-19 policies so as to reduce the time for exclusion from work of employees who have tested positive, been diagnosed, developed symptoms, or have been exposed to the virus. Further details will be provided.

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner

Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant

 

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