THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION PAGE 14 JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2025 theconnectionsnj.com KNOWLEDGEABLE EXPERIENCED DILIGENT Divorce & Family Law Attorneys Divorce Custody Child Support Domestic Violence Prenuptial Agreements 908.237.9711 www.MEZlawyers.com 7 Main Street | Flemington, NJ 08822 Hyun Lee, Esq., Adam Eisenhut, Esq. & Kasia Zielinski, Esq. are certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Matrimonial Law Attorneys. hat is a Marital Lifestyle? Marital lifestyle is the standard of living established by both spouses during the marriage. It reflects economic and social circumstances and includes choices about housing, vacations, dining habits, entertainment, gifting, clothing, luxury expenses, and even how savings and debt are accumulated. Examples of Marital Lifestyle Components: Housing: Owning a large home in an affluent neighborhood or renting a modest apartment. Vacations: Frequent international travel, more modest travel, or no regular vacations. Dining habits: Regular fine dining, frequent takeout, or meals at home. Entertainment: Season tickets to cultural or sporting events, or occasional movie nights; modest or no hobbies or expensive hobbies/ entertainment activities. Gifting: Lavish birthday and holiday presents, or modest gifts or tokens of affection. Clothing: Designer wardrobes or department store attire. Luxury expenses: High-end vehicles, club memberships, personal services. Savings and Debt: Consistent contributions to retirement accounts, minimal savings, or significant debt accumulation. Marital lifestyle may change over time. For example, a couple might prioritize saving early in the marriage and then spend more freely later. Some expenses might be one-time and not representative of lifestyle. Regardless, it is a measure of the marriage before separation. This is important because the courts in New Jersey consider lifestyle as a benchmark when calculating alimony. Lifestyle in New Jersey Alimony Law As a key factor considered when determining alimony, the statute emphasizes that both parties, to the extent possible, are entitled to a lifestyle reasonably comparable to the one established during the marriage. This standard applies to both initial alimony awards and any modifications that might be requested later due to changed circumstances. Alimony, often referred to as spousal support, is designed to allow both spouses to maintain a similar standard of living post-divorce to the extent possible. It is more expensive to maintain two households than one, and courts emphasize that alimony is not intended to enrich one party or impoverish the other; instead, it aims to provide a fair and balanced approach to financial stability for both parties. The Crucial Role of the Case Information Statement (CIS) A vital tool in capturing and presenting the marital lifestyle is the Family Part Case Information Statement (“CIS”). This comprehensive financial document is required in all New Jersey divorce cases and is prepared by each party to show their income, expenses (i.e., lifestyle), assets, and liabilities. The CIS includes a section detailing average monthly expenses during the marriage across all categories of spending. The accuracy and completeness of the CIS are important because it serves as a roadmap through the parties’ financials and provides a snapshot of the marital lifestyle. When calculating alimony, the court carefully examines the marital lifestyle via a detailed review of financial records, bank statements, tax returns, and any expense report. At times, experts are hired to analyze the parties’ financial records to derive the marital lifestyle. Discrepancies or a lack of documentation may complicate the process and lead to disputes and prolonged litigation. Experienced family law attorneys can help a party advocate for their position and establish the true lifestyle of a marriage. The attorneys at - Maleski, Eisenhut & Zielinski, LLC are available to assist you to carefully review your situation and help you assess your rights and interests. LAWYER’SVIEW The Importance of Marital Lifestyle When Determining Alimony Savings and Debt: tent contributions to retire change over time. For ex ample, a couple might prior itize saving early in the mar Marital lifestyle is the standard of living established by both spouses during the marriage. It reflects economic and social circumstances... W
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