Divorce is life-changing and stressful, even if you and your spouse agree on everything . . . or think you do. However, if the relationship between you is contentious and you disagree about significant issues related to the divorce, the process can feel overwhelming. When your marriage is ending, no matter your unique circumstances, a Livingston divorce lawyer can help you navigate the legal difficulties and pursue the results you need.
At [MFR] Men’s & Fathers’ Rights Divorce Lawyers, we have extensive experience helping New Jersey clients favorably end their marriages, including in complex high-net-worth divorce situations. Call (201) 880-9770 to schedule a confidential case evaluation. .
Our Livington divorce lawyers are focused on providing strategic legal guidance tailored to individual situations and goals. We know that while different cases may involve similar issues, such as disputes over dividing assets or alimony, the relationships and circumstances in every single divorce are unique. Founding attorney Carrie S. Schultz:
We respond to inquiries within 24 to 48 hours. To learn more about our commitment to providing top quality legal services, see reviews from previous clients.
Our divorce lawyers in the Livingston, NJ, area, will:
Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you when it comes to property division, children’s concerns, and all issues of divorce.
Divorce grounds are described in N.J.S.A 2A:34-2. If you file on no-fault grounds, you aren’t blaming your spouse for doing something wrong — you can just say that you had “irreconcilable differences.” Or you can file on no-fault grounds if you have lived separate and apart for at least 18 months.
If you file on fault grounds, you must ultimately prove to the court that your spouse did something that caused you to seek divorce. While most people file on no-fault grounds, there are sometimes strategic reasons for filing on fault grounds if you have strong evidence of wrongdoing or there is an interplay with custody or parenting time visitation issues. You should discuss this with a divorce lawyer for Livingston to determine what is most advantageous for your situation.
There are two basic types of divorce in New Jersey: uncontested divorce and contested divorce.
If you and your spouse both want to divorce and agree on all the issues, you can get an uncontested divorce. Obviously, if you agree, it can make the divorce process smoother and less antagonistic and usually much faster than contested divorces. Even if your divorce is uncontested, it is still helpful to engage the assistance of a divorce attorney who can help ensure your rights are safeguarded during the process and aid in alleviating potential issues that could turn your uncontested divorce into a contested one. When you have a comprehensive divorce agreement that addresses all the issues, you will be less likely to fight over those issues later because what is in the document controls and it prevents one side from selective memory loss.
A contested divorce simply means outstanding unresolved divorce issues between you and your spouse. It does not necessarily mean that the process must be adversarial (although it may be). It just means that compromised resolutions to the issues you disagree about must be found.
Spouses may be ordered to attend case status/management conferences with the assigned judge and external mediation sessions to try and resolve issues, rather than having a judge decide issues at a lengthy and costly trial. The New Jersey courts strongly recommend in contested divorce cases that spouses have their own attorneys to help them understand their rights and responsibilities and advocate for their legal entitlements.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get from clients.
How long does divorce take in New Jersey?
An uncontested divorce will take approximately a couple of months to finalize. With a contested divorce, how long it takes can depend on how many issues are unresolved, whether you can come to agreement on them, or whether your case must go to trial. The New Jersey Courts prefer a divorce case to be concluded within a year, but for various reasons including the complexities of the issues, the positions of the client, the Court understaffing issues, that timeline could be shorter or protracted.
Does the court favor women over men in divorce decisions?
The law is supposed to show no preference for either spouse based on their sex. Judges consider all the unique factors in marriages and make their decisions based on those factors. However, sometimes, men who are divorcing can certainly feel that there is favoritism toward their wives, which could be an unconscious cultural bias left over from a time when husbands were traditionally breadwinners and wives were homemakers.
Can I appeal a judge’s decision?
You can appeal a judge’s decision within 45 days with a valid reason for doing so, such as the court didn’t apply the law correctly, ignored certain critical evidence, or abused its discretion. You cannot appeal just because you are unhappy with the decision. We can help you understand whether you have an appropriate reason to appeal and, if you do, explain the steps in the appeals process. There is also an alternative mechanism from an appeal for a Motion for Reconsideration which must be done 20 days from the issuance of an Order.
We will answer questions relevant to your case when we speak with you.
Decisions made during divorce can affect you for the rest of your life. Start out with an advantage by getting knowledgeable legal assistance from a law firm that will always have your back. At [MFR] Men’s & Fathers’ Rights Divorce Lawyers, we understand the difficult issues that arise during divorce proceedings, and we will work hard to assure the process goes as smoothly as possible based on the facts of your unique situation. Call (201) 880-9770 today.
Thank you for visiting our site. We realize that if you are reading this, you or someone you know is having marital or family difficulties. We truly understand how unsettling that can be for all involved. I personally want to invite you to explore the website which contains a lot of informational and educational items which I hope is of benefit to you. I also welcome you to contact us to schedule a case evaluation to discuss your matter in greater detail. Our firm philosophy is to always remain committed to providing our clients with the best service, care, guidance, communication, and legal advice possible for your particular situation. We take seriously you entrusting us with your legal matter. Happy researching!