NEW JERSEY TAPS KLEIN

In preparation for a story on Parent Alienation Syndrome, New Jersey Lawyer turned to Richard Klein for his insight.
Look for the article in an upcoming issue.

RICHARD KLEIN NAMED SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE'S AWESOME ATTORNEY
FOR MATRIMONIAL LAW IN 2005

TOP ATTORNEYS OF SJ FAMILY & INTERNET LAW:

Richard C. Klein, a graduate of Rutgers-Camden Law School, 1973, has been in the forefront of Family and Internet Law well before it became popular.

When e-mail surfing and “dating” were still new concepts, Klein was one of the first to obtain a court order to examine the hard drive of a litigant’s computer in a hotly-contested custody matter. The e-mails were more than enough proof needed to successfully win the custody case. Since then, issues of divorce, child custody, and adultery have become more and more Internet-related. Klein has demonstrated bold leadership in these fields, lecturing on these issues and explaining the implications of Internet law as it relates privacy issues in both the field of family law and other areas. (Law Offices of Richard C. Klein)

CAMDEN COUNTY BAR SELECTS RICHARD C. KLEIN, ESQUIRE TO SERVE ON ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES

HADDONFIELD, NJ -- The Law Offices of Richard C. Klein, PC announced that Richard C. Klein, Esquire has been appointed to the following positions in the Camden County Bar Association for the upcoming year:

• Member of the Committee on Professionalism
• Member of the Civil Practice Committee

Mr. Klein is also chair of the Domestic Violence Sub-Committee of the Family Part Section of the Burlington County Bar Association. He has been practicing law for 29 years, with an emphasis in family law. The firm has offices in Haddonfield and Medford.

For more information, please contact Donna Schlosser at (856) 522-2000.

RICHARD C. KLEIN, ESQUIRE APPOINTED TO THREE BURLINGTON COUNTY BAR POSITIONS

HADDONFIELD, NJ -- The Law Offices of Richard C. Klein, PC announced that Richard C. Klein Esquire has been appointed to the following positions in the Burlington County Bar Association for the upcoming year:

• Chair of the Domestic Violence Sub-Committee of the Family Part Section of the Bench/Bar
• Member of the Divorce/Dissolution Committee
• Member of the Custody/Visitation/Support Committee

Mr. Klein has been practicing law for 32 years, with an emphasis in family law. The firm has offices in Haddonfield and Medford.

For more information please contact Donna Schlosser at (856) 522-2000.

As appeared in Burlington County Woman

IN MATTERS OF RELOCATION, INTERESTS OF THE CHILD COME FIRST
As appeared in Burlington County Woman

By Richard C. Klein, Esquire

Most divorces are not "neat" little packages. In fact, what makes the process of divorce so time-consuming and sometimes even painful is that each is incredibly unique and carry with them lifelong implications for all concerned parties.

Nowhere is this more true than when children are involved.

A perfect example of this occurs when a custodial parent wishes to relocate with the child. Potentially, the new location may make the non-custodial parent's access to the child inconvenient or possibly even non-existent. What rights exist for the parties involved and how do the courts determine the proper resolution for this issue? Fortunately, in New Jersey, the courts have taken an approach which recognizes that what is ultimately most important is whether the decision to relocate is in the best interest of the child.

"The critical path to removal disposition . . . is not necessarily the one that satisfies one parent or even splits the difference between the parents, but the one that will not cause detriment to the child." Baures v. Lewis, 167 N.J. 91, 97 (2001) Although the "burden" of proving a good faith reason for the move rests on the relocating custodial parent, the court has refocused the analysis to more adequately recognize the needs of the custodial parent and to make it somewhat easier to relocate.

Among the factors the courts will consider in granting or disallowing the custodial parent to relocate are:

The nature of the custodial arrangement - How involved is each parent and Does a true "joint" custody arrangement exist? Reasons for and against the move The child's educational, health, and leisure opportunities (as it compares tthe child's current situation) The opportunities that will be available for the non-custodial parent to visit the child. The child's preference (dependent upon the age of the child) Evidence that the move will not be detrimental to the child What is the plan proposed by the relocating parent for parenting time? Ultimately, as painful as the decisions stemming from these factors may be for the parties involved, the best interest of the child is considered paramount. In an ideal situation, both parents will recognize the wisdom of such an approach.