• Super Lawyers

Schedule A Consultation: 732-414-6669

Cores & Associates, L.L.C.

Experience You Can Trust

Cores & Associates, L.L.C.

Amy Sara Cores Named to the 2019 Seminole 100

By

Cores & AssociatesCores & Associates, L.L.C. is proud to announce that the firm was named to Florida State University’s 2019 Seminole 100. This list includes some of the fastest-growing businesses in the country that are owned and operated by Florida State University alumni.

Every year, FSU’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at FSU’s College of Business, the FSU Alumni Association, and other shareholders identify and honor alumni who reflect the University’s entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. The award involves a rigorous application and review process that is overseen by EY, a global leader in transactional and advisory services.

The 2019 honorees, including Cores & Associates, L.L.C. will gather in March 2019 to celebrate their success and build connections. For a full list of honorees and more information about the Seminole 100, please refer to Florida State University’s website.

About Amy Sara Cores

Cores & AssociatesMs. Cores obtained both bachelor and master’s degrees from FSU. She received both of her degrees in History from Florida State University. Her master’s degree focused on Jewish armed resistance to the Holocaust.

Ms. Cores’ legal practice focuses on family law matters. She has built a reputation for her trial advocacy and innovative approach to dispute resolution. She also is active in national, state, and local professional organizations and has demonstrated a deep commitment to pro bono work and community service. Ms. Cores is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars.

“I’m honored by my inclusion in the 2019 Seminole 100,” comments Ms. Cores. “My experiences at Florida State University provided me with a deep respect for hard work, critical thinking, and our potential to improve our communities. I believe these values have been essential to my legal practice and its success.”

Cores & Associates, L.L.C. Is a Premier New Jersey Family Law Firm

Cores & Associates, L.L.C. is one of New Jersey’s premier family law firms. The firm assists clients with a diverse array of legal issues, including divorce, child custody, domestic violence, QDROs, and pre-nuptial agreements. The law firm’s philosophy emphasizes communication, an attention to detail, and persistent advocacy.

Forensic Accounting and Your Divorce…. What Value Are You Seeking?

By

A divorce settlement includes the concept of equitable distribution, which isn’t a factor under a fair market value premise. The meaning of equitable distribution varies from state to state. In New Jersey, equitable distribution is governed by N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(h). Consistent with the statute, all marital property is to de divided equitably. It is important to remember that equitably does not mean equally.

Since the Court’s decision in Brown v. Brown, it is now well known that the standard of valuation of businesses incident to divorce litigation in New Jersey is “fair value.”  348 N.J. Super. 466 (App. Div. 2002).

The general idea is that the settlement is decided by the court, which is supposed to determine the most equitable distribution. By contrast, in a sale the parties are presumed able to look out for themselves.

Divorce Lawyer New JerseyIn New Jersey, courts are obligated to: (1) identify the assets of the parties; (2) value the assets of the parties; and (3) determine how those assets are to be divided between the litigants. Rothman v. Rothman, 65 N.J. 219, 232 (1974).

In judging what an equitable distribution of a business is, the courts often consider the following:

  • Goodwill. Any elements like professional goodwill may be a significant part of the business, but the view on whether goodwill is considered a divisible asset varies considerably. This could have an important effect on the value of the business. “[T]he determination of the amount ascribed to goodwill is a complex question of fact.” Slutsky v. Slutsky, 451 N.J.Super. 332 (App. Div. 2017). In other words, the Court will engage in a fact specific, case by case analysis to determine the value of goodwill.
  • Intangible value. What about intangible value? Ordinarily, the value of intangibles is based on how much they are expected to contribute to future earnings. “As distinguished from tangible assets, intangibles have no intrinsic value, but do have a value related to the ownership and *429 possession of tangible assets. Some intangibles, such as a trademark, trade name or patent, are related to an identifiable tangible asset.” Dugan v. Dugan, 92 N.J. 423 (1983). On the other hand, it is a settled legal question that intangible goodwill may attach to an attorney’s interest in a professional practice. Thus, goodwill needs to be considered when valuing a business for divorce purposes.
  • Discounts. Some courts in certain states have expressed reluctance in divorce cases to allow various discounts common to fair market valuations. The most important discounts — the lack of marketability followed by the minority interest — are harder to justify when no actual sale is contemplated. These can also include a “key person” discount if that person is one of the spouses and he or she intends to continue working in the business. In addition, some courts, depending on the unique circumstances of the particular case, may not allow discounts for difficulties in getting financing for a buyout, or for poor product diversity or unaudited financial statements. They would argue that these problems are germane only to potential buyers. In Brown v. Brown, the Court held“[t]he general rule we deduce … is that in a statutory appraisal for purposes of determining the fair value of shares owned by a dissenting shareholder, … or for valuing shares in a court-ordered buy-out resulting from an oppressed shareholder situation …neither a marketability nor a minority discount should be applied absent extraordinary circumstances.”

Supporting the Value in Court

If the divorce goes to court, the valuator must persuade the court that his or her figure is the most accurate. Whatever method the valuator uses, it must be supportable. Unsubstantiated numbers don’t hold up in court. The obligation to perform the necessary valuation is laid upon both the attorneys and the judge before whom the case is pending. See Bowen v. Bowen, 96 N.J. 36, 43 (1984); Levin v. Levin, 129 N.J. Super. 142 (App. Div. 1974).

“A trial court is free to accept or reject the testimony of either side’s expert, and need not adopt the opinion of either expert in its entirety.” Carey v. Lovett, 132 N.J. 44, 64 (1993).  It is important for an individual to choose a qualified attorney and expert to present the facts and evidence in a light most favorable to the Court.

There’s widespread difficulty in discovering a business’s true worth for divorce valuations. Business owners who refuse to provide documentation to their spouses’ financial advisors can be penalized by the courts, but this doesn’t guarantee total honesty. Valuators respond by coming up with creative methods of uncovering information.

Some business owners may deliberately try to undervalue their companies to minimize their spouses’ settlements. Deliberately minimizing or even dissipating the value of a business can be hazardous, even if the financial expert can’t prove the profits were larger than stated.

Some divorcing spouses attempt to use the amounts of key person insurance on the spouse involved in the business or the terms of a buy-sell agreement as indications of the worth of the business. The agreements and insurance policies could have been set up years before, though. They don’t necessarily indicate the business’s worth at the time of the divorce. Nonetheless, the courts consider buy-sell agreements a factor.

At the end of the day it is important to remember that “valuation is not an exact science.” Brown v. Brown

It is important that you select an experienced matrimonial attorney who can help guide you through your divorce litigation. Call 732-414-6669 to schedule your consultation today!

Attorney Amy Sara Cores Honored for NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business 2018

By

(Amy Sara Cores accepting her award)

At a ceremony held on Monday, March 19 at The Palace at Somerset Park, NJBIZ honored the recipients of their annual Best 50 Women in Business award presented by Wells Fargo. The winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges and represent a wide range of sectors including executives, educators, entrepreneurs and many more. Each recipient is recognized for the outstanding work they have done in community involvement, professional endeavors, and continued advocacy for women in all areas of life.

We are proud to announce that Amy Sara Cores of Cores & Associates was chosen to receive this honor for her hard work and dedication to family law and protecting children from problematic family situations. We know she will continue to exhibit all the qualities that the judges look for when choosing this extraordinary group of women.

If you’d like to read more about the 2018 Best Women in Business, you can find more in the NJBIZ digital magazine or the post event press release.

(Amy Sara Cores Interview)

Sole Custody NJ

By

Perhaps the most delicate issue to resolve for divorcing couples, is the care of their children. When dealing with custody agreements, there are two aspects to consider- residential custody, and legal custody.

Residential, or physical custody, is in reference to who the children will live with. It can be shared custody or sole custody. While legal custody deals with who is responsible for the children’s welfare, and who has the right to make decisions in relation to the safety, health, and education of the children. Both parents have a right to make decisions on how best to take care of their children, as well as on the daily activities they participate in. However, the parent that has legal custody is the ultimate authority when making big decisions that deal with the overall safety and welfare of the children. Legal custody, like physical custody, can also be sole or joint custody.

Sole Residential Custody

In the case of sole residential custody, the children live with one parent. That parent is the custodial parent; however, the children will still spend a certain amount of time with their other parent. The child’s primary residence is with the custodial parent. It is very rare that sole custody is unaccompanied by visitation for the parent who does not have custody.

The non-custodial parent will have visitation rights that will allow them to maintain a relationship with their children, and still allow them to spend time together. This is generally two overnight stays every week, as well as vacation and holiday time together. Though, each case is different. In the case of alcohol or drug abuse, or physical abuse the visitation rights may be supervised, or severely limited. Visitation rights can also be revisited in the case of a serious illness.

Sole custody is a way to exercise parental authority in cases of separation or divorce.

Shared Physical Custody

In terms of shared physical custody, the children will spend almost equal time with both parents. While one parent will be named the PPR, parent of primary residence, the other is the PAR, parent of alternate residence. In this type of custody, the children spend more than two nights a week with both parents. So, the home the child spends the majority of nights with makes that parent the PPR, while the other parent is the PAR.

The arrangement will vary, depending on the custody plan. Shared physical custody is a popular choice for parents who live close to each other. It’s natural for parents to be anxious about leaving their children, but the children’s best interest is what comes first. It is up to both parents to ensure their children are taken care of.

Joint custody NJ is a mutual commitment that promotes open communication, and regular meetings. It is designed to fit into the demands and expectations of both parents, while keeping the children’s best interests the focus.

Request a consultation with a Freehold, NJ Child Custody Attorney

A New Jersey child custody attorney at Cores & Associates can help you build a parenting plan that protects your child’s welfare and maintains your strong relationship.

Monmouth County Family Court

By

Family Court is an area of the legal system which deals with matters relating to family law. Family court hears cases related to divorce, separation, matrimonial disputes, domestic abuse, child support and child custody and more. Family court is generally governed by either local law or state law. In Monmouth County, the family court falls under Superior Court, Family Division. There are several family law matters that fall under the jurisdiction of Monmouth County family court, including:

  • Modifications to court orders
  • Alimony cases
  • Restraining orders and domestic violence cases
  • Child relocation cases
  • College contribution
  • Child support
  • Child custody
  • Motions to set aside a judgement, or order
  • Motions to reconsider
  • Motions to vacate a default
  • Motions to stay
  • Order to show cause

Monmouth County Family Court Cases

The majority of cases in Monmouth County family court are generally heard by a judge who makes the final decision after being presented with all the facts. It is best to follow the rules of the court, and appear on time. Failure to abide by the rules, as well as failure to turn up, can result in a judgement against you. You are able to appeal some judgements if you deem them unfair. However, in cases involving children, the judge generally renders a decision with the best interests of the children in mind.

Monmouth Family Court Mediation Services

New Jersey family court may offer mediation services to assist separating or divorcing parents in resolving disagreements regarding child custody and other matters. During the mediation process, the parents have a mediator present to help resolve disagreements that arise. Monmouth County family lawyers often serve in this capacity. Provided the mediation process results in an agreement, the mediator may help write a parenting plan that can become the custody and visitation agreement.

There are several goals to the mediation process, these include:

  • Find ways to manage your resentment and anger.
  • Create a parenting plan that is in the best interests of the children.
  • Create a parenting plan that allows the children to spend time with their parents.

Monmouth County Family Division

The family division is located at the Court House on the lower level of the South Wing.

The Division is vast and houses 11 docket types: Dissolution/Divorce (FM), Non-Dissolution (FD), Domestic Violence (FV), Violations of Restraining Orders (FO), Juvenile Delinquency (FJ), Family Crisis (FF), Abuse and Neglect (FN), Termination of Parental Rights (FG), Child Placement Review (FC), Kinship Guardianship (FL) and Contested Adoptions (FA). Family Division addresses issues of Custody, Visitation/Parenting Time, Spousal Support, Divorce, Separate Maintenance, Child Support (Establishment and Modifications), Domestic Violence/Restraining Orders, Violations of Restraining Orders, Juvenile Delinquency, Family Crisis, Child Abuse and Neglect, Termination of Parental Rights, Kinship Guardianship, and review all Out of Home Placements of Children by the Court, Children’s Behavioral Health Care Services and the Division of Youth and Family Services.

Important Family Division Phone Numbers
FAMILY DIVISION MANAGER – Rosemarie Marinan-Gabriel 732-677-4304
Family Reception – 732-677-4050
Divorce/Custody/Mediation – 732-677-4050
Domestic Violence – 732-677-4050
Juvenile Delinquency – 732-677-4096
Children in Court – 732-677-4310

Monmouth County Family Lawyers For Your Case

Divorce and other family law matters are life changing experiences for both parties of a marriage. All efforts are needed; time and cost are at stake. Having a Monmouth County family lawyer can help protect, navigate and guide you through the divorce and family law process. That is why hiring a Monmouth County family lawyer is helpful in settling issues pertaining to both parties. At Cores & Associates, we resolve most cases through negotiation, mediation, or the collaborative divorce process.Our “family-first” approach extends to our clients and we are committed to giving personal attention through timely communication with all of our clients. Our Monmouth County family lawyers can guide you throughout the legal process regarding your divorce or family law matter. Our attorneys are also skilled in Monmouth County child support matters. If you are experiencing trouble with calculating Monmouth County child support, collecting Monmouth County child support or enforcing Monmouth County child support our firm can help.

Monmouth County Courthouse

The Monmouth County Courthouse is located at 71 Monument St, Freehold, NJ 07728. The business operating hours are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.. The main phone number is 732-677-4300.

The Courthouse, or Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Vicinage oversees four divisions. The civil division, the criminal division, the family division, the municipal division and the probation division. It is important to note that the probation court has two different locations.

Probation Court for child support and juvenile reporting – 30 Mechanic Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone number: 732-677-4800

Probation Court for adult supervision – 2407 Route 66, Ocean, NJ 07712
Phone number: 732-869-5600

Our firm, Cores & Associates, handles all areas of family law. We have Monmouth County family lawyers, Monmouth County divorce lawyers, Monmouth County custody lawyers and Monmouth County child support lawyers ready and willing to hear your case details. Your situation and your case are important to us. For questions about your particular case, please call and schedule a confidential consultation with one of our Monmouth County attorneys.
Call 732-414-6669 and get the legal advice you need.

New Jersey Family Court

By

New Jersey Family Court is a branch of the legal system that deals in matters of family law. This court essentially deals in cases that involve divorce, separation, child custody, matrimonial disputes and domestic abuse. Typically, either the state law or the local law governs the family court. New Jersey family courts fall under Superior Courts – Family Divisions. New Jersey Family Court has jurisdiction over family law matters like the following:

  • child custody
  • child relocation cases
  • child support
  • domestic violence/restraining order cases
  • college contribution
  • alimony case
  • court order modifications
  • motions to reconsider
  • motions to stay
  • motions to vacate a default
  • motions to set aside an order or judgment
  • order to show cause/emergent matters

 NJ Family Court – General Information

The following is general information listed on the New Jersey Courts website. it contains hours of operation, department/office information and contact numbers:

The Family Division Offices are located on the 1st and 2nd Floor of the Hall of Justice. Questions regarding paternity, child support, custody and parenting time for Non-Divorce matters can be directed to the receptionists located on the 1st Floor. All other questions can be directed to the receptionists located on the 2nd Floor.

Applications are accepted for Child Support, Child Custody and Visitation between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Applications are accepted for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For directions please call 856-379-2200.

Children in Court

Child Abuse and Neglect:  856-379-2200 Ext. 3612 or Ext. 3608
Child Placement Review:  856-379-2200 Ext. 3612 or Ext. 3608
Guardianship (Termination of Parental Rights):  856-379-2200 Ext. 3612 or Ext. 3608
Kinship Legal Guardianship:  856-379-2200 Ext. 3612 or Ext. 3608

Child Support

Local (In-State) Applications: Paternity, child support, custody & parenting time.  Please call 856-379-2200 Ext. 3808 or Ext. 3700.
Interstate (Out of State) Applications: Please call 856-379-2200 Ext. 3678 or Ext. 3681.

Child Support Enforcement

Probation/Child Support handles all matters regarding child support enforcement: Please call 1-877-655-4371

Custody/Parenting Time/Visitation

Applications: Please call 856-379-2200 Ext. 3674 or Ext. 3685 or Ext. 3699.

Parent Education Program Divorcing Parents, Custody/Visitation Awareness Seminar, Mediation and Supervised Parenting Time: Please call 856-661-2795 or 856-661-2798

Divorce

Please call 856-379-2200 Ext. 3614 or Ext. 3625

Domestic Violence

Restraining Order Applications: 856-379-2200 Ext. 3633 or Ext. 3644 or Ext. 3636
Motions:  856-379-2200 Ext. 3652

Family in Crisis (FCIU)

Court & Non-Court Involved Juvenile Matters: The Center for Family Services handles instances of anti-social behavior in juveniles that have and have not yet resulted in formal charges being filed in court. The Center for Family Services is located at 584 Benson St. Camden, NJ 08103.  By phone please call (856) 964-1990.

Juvenile Delinquency

Please call 856-379-2200 Ext. 3650, Ext. 3765 or Ext. 3651.

Our firm handles all areas of family law relating to children, child support and custody. Your situation and your case are important to us. For questions about your particular case, please call and schedule a confidential consultation with one of our attorneys.

Call 732-414-6669 and get the legal advice you need.

Schedule a Consultation

*The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. This web site is designed for general information & advertising purposes only. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your specific situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and emails. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

*When seeking a New Jersey divorce lawyer or family law attorney, it is crucial to find someone that not only understands the difficulties you are facing, but has a masterful command of New Jersey State Family Law. Roughly two percent of attorneys practicing in the State of New Jersey are Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Attorney. Amy Sara Cores ESQ is among this select few, and is the only New Jersey Matrimonial Attorney on staff.

Cores & Associates, L.L.C.