Brenda Mani, Plaintiff-Respondent v. James J. Mani, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that marital fault is irrelevant to alimony except when it has affected the parties' economic circumstances or is so egregious as to violate societal norms, and that marital fault is irrelevant to an award of counsel fees. Accordingly, the Court reversed the Appellate Division and remanded for reconsideration of the alimony and counsel‑fee awards without regard to fault. Justice Rivera‑Soto dissented in part, arguing that the majority’s new limitation is unwarranted, while Justice Wallace, Jr. concurred in the result.