Divorce is invariably a life-altering event that is often one of the more stressful times in a person’s life. Whether the parties are economic equals or one party is financially dependent upon the other, when a divorce action is filed, there will be major life changes on the horizon.
Many times, two marriage partners do not share a mutual desire for a divorce. Whatever the reasons for the divorce, the simple fact is that if one party wants a divorce, in New Jersey, they will eventually be granted a divorce by the Court. It is in both parties’ best interests that they craft an agreement that they can both live with, even if they are mourning the end of the marriage.
At Riordan Family Law, our attorneys are court-approved family law mediators as well as Matrimonial Law Attorneys certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court. We have the expertise to help you secure results with a peaceful, skilled approach. Contact (973) 577-4118 today to learn more.
There is not an exact length for all divorces in New Jersey, since each case is going to have different variables. However, there are some timeframes to consider when thinking about how long it might take to get a divorce in New Jersey.
No, New Jersey is not a 50/50 divorce state.
Instead, new Jersey is an equitable distribution state, meaning that marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The court will consider several factors when dividing the property, including the length of the marriage, the contributions of each spouse to the marriage, and the needs of each spouse.
In some cases, the property may be divided 50/50. However, this is only sometimes the case. For example, suppose one spouse contributed more to the marriage financially. The court may award them a larger share of the property in that case. Similarly, consider one spouse has a greater need for financial support after the divorce.
The court may grant them a larger share of the property in that case. It is important to note that the court's goal is to divide the property fairly, not necessarily equally. This means that the court will consider all of the factors involved in each case and make a decision that is in the best interests of both spouses.
If you are considering divorce, speaking with our attorney to discuss your rights and options is crucial. Our divorce attorney can help you understand the law and represent you in Denville court if necessary.
In the same way that you cannot predict the length of the divorce process, you cannot know exactly how much it will end up costing. Legal fees and other miscellaneous costs add up over the course of the process, and a divorce that is highly contested will end up costing more.
One expense you can be sure of is the filing fee. It costs $300 to file for divorce in New Jersey, and it costs an additional $25 for a parent education class if applicable.
A couple can file for divorce in New Jersey based on no-fault or fault grounds.
No-fault grounds – A no-fault divorce is the most common since it doesn’t require proof of fault in either spouse. Rather, a spouse can file for divorce simply because there are “irreconcilable differences” that are beyond repair. The marriage must be in this state for 6 months before a spouse can file for divorce using no-fault grounds.
At-fault grounds – Other grounds for divorce include:
Are you going through a divorce in New Jersey? Contact our Denville divorce firm to discuss your specific situation and the best way to proceed.
It is often stated that the hallmark of a good settlement is one where both parties to the agreement are equally unhappy with it. While this comment is meant to be somewhat ironic, there is also some basic truth to it. Settlement agreements are the result of compromise on both sides.
At Riordan Family Law, our lawyers are committed to assisting you in identifying and prioritizing key issues. It is always our goal to minimize the acrimony, cost, and time involved in achieving our clients’ goals. It may not always be possible to resolve a matter amicably, however, and then we are prepared to litigate thoroughly and zealously.
We will assist you in locating and confirming the assets of the marital
estate. It is not unusual for one spouse to be without much knowledge
as to the extent of marital assets and liabilities.
Indeed, there are many cases, in which the financially dependent spouse has no information as to the bread-winner’s true effective income, even when they have seen the tax returns. In those cases, a seasoned attorney will know how to ferret out the truth, even when one party is less than forthcoming. Our goal is to ensure that our clients have received their fair share of the marital assets and any credits they should receive for premarital or exempt contributions to the marital estate.
Our years of experience have enabled us to look at the larger picture and
help our clients arrive at the best result possible in their circumstances.
Cases in which one party is attempting to hide assets are not usually
conducive to mediation or collaborative law approaches.
At least initially, such matters will probably have to be presented to the court until the offending party realizes that his or her evasive tactics are not going to work. In these kinds of scenarios, it is imperative that the affected party retain an attorney as soon as there is a sign of divorce or separation on the horizon.
In other cases, inequities may arise where one party has made contributions, whether financial or otherwise, to the marital enterprise, and the other party has not or has dissipated the marital assets for their own personal interests. At times, a closely held business is involved in the assets that will be subject to equitable distribution.
The business may have been started prior to the marriage. These are all complex issues requiring the guidance of an attorney and, sometimes, other professionals for appraisals and forensic evaluations. While these problems may seem insurmountable when it is your life that is being affected, as experienced Denville attorneys, we have dealt with these situations innumerable times, and we can steer you toward solutions.
If you are thinking about divorce, or your spouse has told you that he or she is contemplating a divorce, you should immediately explore your rights and protect your interests. At Riordan Family Law, our Denville Divorce Attorneys stand ready to provide you with compassionate and assertive representation.
Call (973) 577-4118 to schedule a consultation at our Denville divorce law firm today to learn more.
