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Women throughout New Jersey have reached many
milestones we now take for granted. But other rights
accessible to women today are not so well established or
understood.
The purpose of this guide is to
empower women to implement the rights and entitlements
available to them in New Jersey today. Information is
presented in summary form and this booklet contains a broad
overview of New Jersey laws that most directly affect
women’s rights and apply to women’s circumstances.
Relevant federal laws are also included. Information is
provided to direct women to the appropriate offices and
agencies that can answer specific questions and provide
avenues for redress of grievances. THIS GUIDE IS NOT
INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR OBTAINING LEGAL
ADVICE.
How to Use this
Guide
Women’s
rights issues have been divided into subject areas and such
further sub-divisions as seem appropriate to the particular
issue. The following types of information appear frequently
in the discussion of these topics:
The Law
This is a general
overview of the state and federal law applicable to the
subject area as well as a more specific listing of the types
of protection provided by the law.
What to Do
These are
recommended steps to protect or implement your
rights.
Resources
These are sources
of information, advice and help in establishing your
rights.
We have done our best to give you
useful and accurate information in this guide. But please be
aware that laws and procedures not only change frequently
but also are subject to differing interpretations. The
important purpose that a book of this great breadth of
subject matter and brevity of size can fill is to generally
alert you about issues so that you can seek competent,
expert advice.
NEITHER THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF
NEW JERSEY NOR THE AUTHOR MAKE ANY GUARANTEES CONCERNING THE
ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS PUBLICATION AND ASSUME
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY MISSTATEMENTS OR FACTUAL OR LEGAL
ERRORS. THIS BOOK PROVIDES NO LEGAL ADVICE OR REPRESENTATION
AND SHOULD BE TESTED AND SUPPLEMENTED BY OTHER INFORMATION.
CONSULT A LAWYER FOR LEGAL ADVICE ABOUT YOUR SPECIFIC
PROBLEM.
HOW TO FIND A
LAWYER
The right lawyer
for you is someone you trust, who you think will do a good
job and whose service you can afford. The best way to choose
a lawyer is to ask your friends to recommend a lawyer they
have tried and liked. Try to pick a lawyer who has
experience with your type of case. For example, if you are
getting a divorce, choose a lawyer who specializes in
divorce cases. Never underestimate the importance of expert
legal guidance.
Most county bar associations have a
lawyer referral service, which is listed in your local
telephone directory or the Yellow Pages. You can also call
the New Jersey State Bar Association at 732-249-5000 for the
local referral service number. The referral service will
give you the name and number of one or more attorneys in
your area who list themselves as practicing in the
particular area of law related to your problem. Lawyers who
register with a lawyer referral service agree to hold an
initial consultation at a low price.
Other excellent help in finding a
lawyer can be found in certain directories in your
town’s own library or in a county law school library.
These list many (but not all) lawyers by town, by areas of
practice, by biographical information and by a rating given
by other lawyers concerning the individual’s ability
and general reputation. Ask the librarian for
information.
Free legal services may be
available to eligible persons who meet certain income
guidelines. For information, call the state Office of Legal
Services at (609)292-6262.
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