April 26 seminar at SCCC to discuss family law issues

Newton - Project Self-Sufficiency of Sussex County, Domestic Abuse Services, Inc., and the Legal Studies Program at Sussex County Community College will offer a seminar on family law from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wed., April 26, in Theater Building D at the college, located at One College Hill Rd. in Newton. A panel of three local attorneys, Arlene F. Albino, Amy F. Gjelsvik and Natalie L. Thompson, will discuss issues surrounding alimony, child support, custody and parenting time. Project Self-Sufficiency is a non-profit organization specializing in services for single parents, teen parents and displaced homemakers. Services include legal assistance, childcare, career guidance, computer training and life skills enhancement. “Many members of our community are struggling with separation and divorce,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Project Self-Sufficiency executive director. “This forum offers one way to learn about mediation as an alternative to divorce, and it will give participants the opportunity to discuss child support and parenting time with experts who deal with these issues every day. We are grateful for the participation of these highly skilled practitioners in our legal service programs.” Albino, of Albino & Gjelsvik in Sparta, has practiced exclusively in family law since 1982. She has lectured on family law topics for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Sussex County Bar Association and Project Self-Sufficiency. She has also taught family law at Sussex County Community College. Albino is a member of Sussex County Domestic Violence Task Force. She was the recipient of the Project Self-Sufficiency 2005 Mosaic Award for Volunteer Attorney of the Year. In both 2005 and 2006 she was named a “super lawyer” by New Jersey Monthly magazine. She will discuss the different types of alimony in New Jersey. Gjelsvik, a partner of Albino & Gjelsvik, limits her practice to matrimonial law and related matters. She has previously lectured on the topic of child support. “I will discuss the fundamentals of child support under the N.J. Child Support Guidelines, including how support is calculated, what it should cover, and how to make a child support application,” said Gjelsvik. Thompson has been an associate at the law firm of Gruber, Colabella, Liuzza, Kutyla and Ullmann since September 2001. She has offices in Hopatcong and Newton and focuses her practice in the area of family law. She will discuss issues surrounding custody and parenting time. Project Self-Sufficiency provides its clients with a host of services, many of which are also open to the public. These programs include one-on-one consultations with area attorneys, a court accompaniment service, pro se divorce workshops, legal clinics for assistance with the preparation of family law motions, and the monthly legal forums. Funding for the agency’s legal services is provided in part by the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey. The seminar is free; however, registration is required. For information or to register, call 973-383-5129.