As some of you may be aware the NJSBA has been seeking clarification and expressing concerns regarding filing fee increases and new filing fees. Judge Grant was at the Board of Trustees meeting on Friday October 14, 2016 speaking about the upcoming Criminal Justice Reform and a candid conversation regarding filing fees. At that meeting we discussed Judge Grant's notices to the bar dated October 13, 2016 dealing with certified judgments as well as substitutions of attorneys and notices of appearance. They are attached. The first gold sealed certified copy of the final judgment of divorce should be free. I suggest you copy this notice and bring it with you for your next uncontested divorce if the clerk indicates a fee is due.
Note the substitution of attorney is not necessary solely for a name change of a firm. The notice is fairly clear as to when a substitution of attorney is necessary.
There will continue to be ongoing discussions regarding the filing fee increases but wanted to make sure you, as member's of our section, our aware of the latest news.
------------------------------
Timothy McGoughran Esq.
Chair, Family Law Section
Law Office of Timothy F. McGoughran, LLC
Ocean NJ
(732)660-7115
------------------------------