The damage caused by acts of domestic violence can be significant and long lasting. Beyond the on obvious physical and emotional harm is financial harm. Being forced to incur legal fees to protect yourself from abuse may seem unfair. New Jersey law agrees.
In an effort to make the victim whole, the law allows the succesful victim to ask the court to have the abuser pay reasonable legal fees as compensatory damages. The ability of the parties to pay is not to be a consideration for the court. Only the reasonableness of the fees can be subject to scrutiny. If you are the victim, and you win at trial, be sure to request that fees be paid.
