At Fuhrman & Edelman, our licensed attorneys serving Mount Laurel have guided thousands of individuals through family law for them to move forward with the rest of their lives.
A few of our clients have even returned to us more than once. We know how difficult annulment can be for you and your family.
Our family law attorneys serving Mount Laurel, NJ can help you get through this with as little anguish as possible.
Our approach to family law is focused on providing clients with:
- Straightforward and honest advice
- Personalized, one-on-one attention
- Individualized solutions based on your family's unique needs
- Detailed information about all of their options
New Jersey Divorce Requirements
In New Jersey, you must be separated for 18 months before filing for divorce. In addition, you and your spouse must have lived apart for at least 18 months. You can be separated under the same roof but must live in different parts of the house and not have sexual relations.
There are a few exceptions to the 18-month separation requirement. For example, if you or your spouse have been convicted of a felony, you can file for divorce immediately. You can also file for divorce immediately if your spouse has abandoned you.
It is crucial to speak with a divorce attorney to learn more about the 18-month separation requirement and other requirements for divorce in New Jersey.
Does it Matter Who Files First in NJ?
No, it doesn't matter who files for divorce first in New Jersey. The person who files the complaint first is the plaintiff, and the other spouse is the defendant.
Sometimes, it can be challenging to obtain the required paperwork once a divorce starts, especially if your spouse needs to be more cooperative. But when filing first, you will be in a better position to predict when these hearings will happen and have that much more control over when to initiate the process.
If your spouse drags their feet, the court might require an order to get them to hand over the paperwork.
Your Advocates During Difficult Times
Divorce is a stressful time for everyone involved.
Employing a lawyer to finish a divorce is one way to lower the tension of the separation. While the lawyer will need to gather info from you, he or she will look after practically everything else, permitting you more time to take care of yourself and your family.
Contact Fuhrman & Edelman today to learn more!
Step-by-Step Guide to Filing for Divorce in New Jersey
Filing for separation in NJ involves establishing residency, selecting the grounds for your separation, filling out and filing the paperwork, paying a fee, and serving your spouse with the paperwork.
- Meet the residency requirements - One party must have lived in New Jersey for at least 12 months before a divorce complaint can be filed.
- Decide on your grounds for separation - If you are filing a no-fault divorce, you need only state that your marriage has been broken for at least six months. If you are filing for a fault-based divorce, you must be ready to state the ground(s) on which you are filing for separation.
- Obtain your paperwork - Go to the Family Court clerk in the county where you or your spouse resides and obtain a complaint about annulment, as well as a "Confidential Litigation Information Sheet" and "Certificate of Insurance Coverage."
- Fill out the separation papers - It is recommended that you do so with the help of a lawyer to prevent mistakes and ensure you are clear about what you want in the divorce. Otherwise, amendments may be needed later on.
- Make two copies of the separation papers - The Court will file the originals and you will need two copies - one for your own records and one to serve to the Respondent (your spouse).
- File the proper papers - Go to the civil courthouse in the county where you and your spouse were married and file your divorce papers at the Dissolution Intake office. They will keep the original copies and stamp them as "filed."
- Pay the filing fee. If you cannot afford it, then you may request a waiver.
- Serve the divorce papers to your spouse. The Court clerk can arrange to have the papers served to your spouse by a sheriff or other court officiant. They then have 35 days to respond.
Comprehensive Representation for All Family Law Matters
While it is up to you to determine how to reach your goals, your divorce lawyer in Mount Laurel will explain your options and advise you on which may be the best choice for you and your family.
Our family law attorneys can represent all matters relating to divorce, including:
Our lawyers in Mount Laurel can travel to your county to represent you if necessary.
Since 1986, our skilled family lawyers have represented clients in family matters serving Mount Laurel and other surrounding areas in Burlington County, Camden County, and Gloucester County, NJ.
No-Fault Divorce in New Jersey
As of 2007, New Jersey is a "no-fault" divorce state. This means that if you and your spouse have been separated for 18 months or longer or experienced irreconcilable differences for six months or more, you may file without needing any other grounds to do so.
If you wish to file for divorce sooner than that, you need to have a specific reason or "fault" on to base your grounds for divorce.
Grounds for Divorce in New Jersey: What You Need to Know
As of 2007, New Jersey is a "no-fault" divorce state. This means that if you and your spouse have been separated for 18 months or longer or experienced irreconcilable differences for six months or more, you may file without needing any other grounds to do so.
If you wish to file for divorce sooner than that, you need to have a specific reason or "fault" to base your grounds for divorce.
New Jersey allows couples to file for fault-based divorce due to the following reasons:
- Extreme cruelty- You cannot file until three months after the last incident.
- Adultery- You may file at any time.
- Desertion- You may file 12 months after your spouse deserted you.
Whether you are filing for no-fault or fault-based divorce in New Jersey, the process is complicated and should only be entered into with the guidance of skilled divorce lawyers.
Our family lawyers aggressively protect your interests, whether through negotiation with your spouse and his or her lawyer or in front of a judge.
Our family law attorneys want you to get what you need from your marriage to start over confidently.
Ready to Start a New Chapter? Contact Our Mount Laurel Divorce Attorneys for a Free Consultation
