For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey

Parenting Plans That Actually Work: Avoiding Common Co-Parenting Conflicts

Episode Summary:
In this practical episode, Alix Claps debunks myths about “default” parenting plans and shares strategies for creating flexible, child-focused schedules. The discussion covers common conflict triggers, age-appropriate adjustments, and tools to maintain cooperation without constant court visits.
Key Timestamps:
00:01 - Show Introduction
00:30 - Guest Introduction
00:50 - No Default Parenting Plan Exists
01:45 - Shifting to Long-Term Cooperation
03:00 - Common Post-Plan Conflict Points
04:15 - Balancing Flexibility and Structure
05:00 - Small Adjustments Reducing Conflict
06:30 - Co-Parenting Apps and Communication
07:45 - Handling Unexpected Changes
08:30 - Introducing New Partners
09:45 - Avoiding “Play It by Ear” Schedules
10:30 - De-Escalating Rising Tensions
11:15 - Overlooked Detail to Reduce Stress
12:00 - Child’s Voice in NJ Court
13:00 - Closing Remarks
About the Show:
"For Better or for Court: Family Law in New Jersey" is a podcast that demystifies divorce, custody, and support issues across the state. Alix Claps provides practical insights and experienced guidance to help families navigate changing circumstances with clarity and confidence.

The Hidden Costs of Divorce: What People Forget to Plan For

Episode Summary:
In this eye-opening episode, Alix Claps reveals the financial surprises that catch many New Jersey divorcing couples off guard. The discussion covers expert fees, dual-household expenses, insurance shifts, and proactive steps to minimize costs and protect assets.
Key Timestamps:
00:01 - Show Introduction
00:30 - Guest Introduction
00:50 - Common Financial Surprises
01:45 - Why Costs Are Underestimated
03:00 - Expenses of Two Households
04:15 - Importance of Pre-Filing Financial Review
05:00 - Key Documents to Gather Early
06:00 - Hidden Fees (Court, QDRO, Experts)
07:30 - Insurance Changes Post-Separation
08:45 - Tax and 529 Planning Issues
09:45 - Estate Plan Updates After Divorce
11:00 - Budgeting Strategies
12:00 - One Step to Take Now
12:45 - Closing Remarks
About the Show:
"For Better or for Court: Family Law in New Jersey" is a podcast that demystifies divorce, custody, and support issues across the state. Alix Claps provides practical insights and experienced guidance to help families navigate changing circumstances with clarity and confidence.

What Happens After the Divorce Is Final?

Episode Summary:
In this practical episode, Alix Claps explores the realities of post-divorce life in New Jersey. The discussion covers common overlooked tasks, enforcement options when ex-spouses fail to comply, and proactive steps to prevent future disputes after the final judgment.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:01 - Show Introduction
00:30 - Guest Introduction
00:50 - Do Issues Arise After Final Judgment?
01:30 - First-Year Post-Divorce Challenges
03:00 - Enforcing Support and Property Orders
04:45 - Resolving Co-Parenting Conflicts
05:30 - Timing for Custody/Support Modifications
07:00 - Managing Joint Debts and Assets
08:15 - Overlooked Tasks (Taxes, Insurance, Estates)
09:00 - Alternatives to Court for Disputes
10:00 - Advice to Avoid Future Problems
10:50 - Closing Remarks
About the Show:
"For Better or for Court: Family Law in New Jersey" is a podcast that demystifies divorce, custody, and support issues across the state. Alix Claps provides practical insights and experienced guidance to help families navigate changing circumstances with clarity and confidence.

Can I Change My Custody or Support Order Later?

Episode Summary:
In this essential episode, Alix Claps clarifies when and how New Jersey courts allow changes to custody, parenting time, child support, and alimony. The discussion covers qualifying life changes, required evidence, and strategies to avoid costly mistakes when seeking modifications.
Key Timestamps:
00:01 - Show Introduction
00:30 - Guest Introduction
00:50 - Are Orders Permanent or Modifiable?
01:45 - Life Changes Impacting Custody
03:20 - Triggers for Child Support Recalculation
04:15 - Evidence Needed for Modifications
05:00 - Reaching Agreements Without Court
06:30 - Handling Non-Cooperative Parents
07:45 - Differences Between Child and Spousal Support
08:50 - Common Modification Mistakes
09:30 - First Step for Outdated Orders
10:00 - Closing Remarks
About the Show:
"For Better or for Court: Family Law in New Jersey" is a podcast that demystifies divorce, custody, and support issues across the state. Alix Claps provides practical insights and experienced guidance to help families navigate changing circumstances with clarity and confidence. 

What Happens to the House in a Divorce?

Episode Summary:In this episode of For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey, attorney Alix Claps, a certified matrimonial law attorney and partner at Heymann & Fletcher, breaks down one of the most emotional and complex parts of divorce — deciding what happens to the marital home. She explains how courts evaluate ownership, equity, and financial feasibility, and why factors like children, mortgages, and timing all play a major role. Alix also discusses buyouts, refinancing challenges, and what trade-offs might make sense when keeping the family home feels like the only option.
 
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Overview of the marital home as both an emotional and financial anchor in divorce.01:10 – The emotional and economic weight of the marital home in New Jersey divorces.02:00 – How ownership, timing, and contributions affect whether it’s divided.03:15 – How courts evaluate who gets what when homes were owned before marriage or improved during it.05:00 – How the court (or mediation) may delay sale or transfer until after graduation.06:20 – How fair market value is determined and what disagreements often arise.07:45 – What to consider before deciding to keep the home, from mortgage rates to refinancing challenges.09:00 – Judgments, debts, and bankruptcies that can complicate property division.09:45 – Options for selling or renting and the emotional impact on families.10:30 – Why informed trade-offs matter when choosing between financial stability and emotional attachment.
About the Show:For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey features attorney Alix Claps of Heymann & Fletcher as she breaks down complex family law topics — from divorce and custody to property division and financial planning. Each episode helps New Jersey families make informed, confident decisions through every stage of family law challenges.

Why Divorce Timing Matters: When One Spouse Is Emotionally Ahead

Episode Summary:In this episode of For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey, Alix Claps, a certified matrimonial law attorney and partner at Heymann & Fletcher, discusses a topic rarely written in legal documents but present in nearly every divorce — the emotional gap between spouses. Alix explains what happens when one partner is emotionally ready to move forward while the other is still processing the end of the marriage. She outlines how this imbalance can influence legal decisions, settlement timelines, and even the financial outcome of a divorce. The conversation highlights why emotional readiness and legal readiness often don’t align — and how working with both an attorney and a therapist helps clients make informed, balanced choices during an emotionally charged time.
Key Timestamps:
00:01 – Show introduction and overview of today’s topic01:10 – Understanding the emotional gap between spouses in divorce03:00 – How emotional readiness impacts the legal process05:15 – Why hiring an attorney early protects your rights and mindset07:30 – When one spouse initiates the divorce but isn’t ready to act09:40 – Common emotional reactions: denial, avoidance, and anger11:50 – How emotional imbalance can lead to unfair legal outcomes13:30 – The importance of small, manageable steps in the early stages15:10 – How therapists and attorneys work together to support clients17:00 – Legal deadlines and the risks of not responding in time18:40 – Can you slow down or speed up the divorce process?20:15 – What to do if you feel emotionally unprepared for divorce21:30 – How attorneys maintain professional boundaries and avoid burnout23:00 – Advice for clients frustrated by a spouse delaying the process
About the Show:
For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey helps listeners navigate the realities of divorce, custody, and family law with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Alix Claps, partner at Heymann & Fletcher, this podcast sheds light on the emotional, legal, and financial aspects of family law cases — providing expert insights for anyone facing change in their family life.

Mediation vs. Litigation: Which Is Right for Your Family?

In this episode of For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey, attorney Alix Claps, partner at Heymann and Fletcher and a certified matrimonial law attorney, breaks down the two main approaches to divorce—mediation and litigation. She explains how each process works, the key differences, and when one path may be more beneficial than the other.
Alix provides insight into how mediation can help families resolve disputes more quickly, creatively, and cost-effectively compared to court litigation, while also addressing common misconceptions about when mediation can be successful. She also outlines the limits of litigation, why judges are restricted in the decisions they can make, and how mediation often helps parents craft more personalized solutions.
Whether you’re considering mediation, preparing for court, or unsure which direction is best, this episode offers clear, practical guidance to help you move forward in your divorce process.
Key Timestamps
00:40 – The difference between mediation, litigation, and arbitration in divorce02:05 – How mediation can work even in contentious or high-conflict cases04:15 – What mediation looks like in practice and when the court requires it05:30 – How litigation limits creative solutions for families06:20 – Why mediation is almost always a useful tool07:05 – The timing and cost advantages of mediation08:20 – What happens if mediation doesn’t work and you still need court09:05 – The role of attorneys and other professionals in mediation09:30 – First steps for deciding between mediation and litigation
About the Show
For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey is a podcast hosted by family law attorney Alix Claps of Heymann & Fletcher. Each episode offers practical legal guidance on divorce, custody, and family law matters in New Jersey. Designed for individuals navigating difficult decisions, the show breaks down complex legal processes into clear, compassionate advice—helping you feel informed, prepared, and supported every step of the way.

How Custody and Parenting Time Are Decided in NJ

Episode Summary
In this episode of For Better or for Court: Family Law in New Jersey, certified matrimonial law attorney Alix Claps of Heymann and Fletcher discusses how custody and parenting time decisions are made in New Jersey family courts. Drawing on her extensive experience, Alix breaks down the legal distinctions between legal custody and parenting time, explains how courts evaluate the best interests of children, and shares practical guidance for parents navigating custody disputes.
Whether parents are married or unmarried, Alix provides insight into common misconceptions, the role of the child’s voice in custody determinations, and the factors that truly matter when crafting parenting time arrangements.
Key Timestamps
01:20 – Legal Custody vs. Physical Custody03:15 – Court Considerations05:40 – Custody Agreements Outside of Court07:10 – Parenting Time Arrangements09:45 – Gender Myths in Custody11:50 – Requests for Full Custody13:30 – Impact of Schools and Activities16:15 – Considering the Child’s Wishes18:40 – Common Misconceptions21:00 – Advice for Parents
About the Show
For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey is a podcast hosted by family law attorney Alix Claps of Heymann & Fletcher. Each episode offers practical legal guidance on divorce, custody, and family law matters in New Jersey. Designed for individuals navigating difficult decisions, the show breaks down complex legal processes into clear, compassionate advice—helping you feel informed, prepared, and supported every step of the way.

What to Know Before Filing for Divorce in New Jersey

Episode Summary
In this episode of For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey, family law attorney Alix Claps of Heymann & Fletcher shares essential insights on what individuals need to know before filing for divorce. With years of experience handling divorce, custody, and family law matters across New Jersey, Alix provides guidance on timing, legal requirements, documentation, and the emotional considerations that come with this life-changing decision. From understanding no-fault divorce to preparing financial records, Alix explains the practical steps clients should take and clears up common misconceptions about the divorce process.
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction and Path to Family Law
1:54 – Why Choose Family Law?
2:39 – First Legal Decisions in Divorce
4:34 – Timing and Preparation
8:22 – Understanding No-Fault Divorce in New Jersey
9:56 – The Divorce Filing Process
12:15 – Common Misconceptions About Divorce
13:40 – What Happens If One Spouse Doesn’t Want the Divorce?
16:35 – Final Advice for Those Considering Divorce
About the Show
For Better or For Court: Family Law in New Jersey is a podcast hosted by family law attorney Alix Claps of Heymann & Fletcher. Each episode offers practical legal guidance on divorce, custody, and family law matters in New Jersey. Designed for individuals navigating difficult decisions, the show breaks down complex legal processes into clear, compassionate advice—helping you feel informed, prepared, and supported every step of the way.