Haddonfield Divorce Lawyers

Divorce is a life-altering event that often presents emotional, financial, and legal challenges during the proceedings. Every decision, such as child custody, property division, or alimony, can have lasting consequences on your future. Having the right legal support can make all the difference in ensuring a fair and favorable outcome.

At Zeigler Law Group, LLC, we recognize the unique challenges that clients encounter during divorce proceedings. Sonya K. Zeigler, Esq. brings extensive experience, strategic advocacy, and compassionate guidance to each case, with strategic solutions tailored to your best interests.

What Are the Grounds for Divorce in New Jersey?

New Jersey allows for both fault-based and no-fault divorces. A no-fault divorce can be based on either irreconcilable differences or separation for at least 18 months. Fault-based grounds include adultery, extreme cruelty, desertion, addiction, institutionalization, and incarceration. The chosen grounds can impact aspects of the divorce, such as alimony and child custody.

To divorce in New Jersey, at least one spouse must have been a resident for at least one year before filing for divorce, except in cases of adultery.

What Is the Process of Divorce in New Jersey?

The divorce process in New Jersey involves several steps, each with its own specific requirements and timelines, and includes:

• File the divorce complaint with the family division of the Superior Court.
• State the fault or no-fault grounds for divorce.
• Serve the complaint to the other spouse, who then has a limited time to respond.
• Both spouses disclose financial information.
• Discovery process to gather relevant information from both parties.
• Mediation to negotiate and reach a settlement.
• Arbitration if mediation does not produce a settlement.
• Trial if no settlement is reached, where a judge makes decisions.
  

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a process in which a neutral third-party mediator assists divorcing couples in reaching a mutually agreeable settlement. The mediator facilitates communication and negotiation to help divorcing spouses resolve their issues together and on their own terms.

Both spouses meet with the mediator in a series of sessions to discuss and negotiate various aspects, such as property division, child custody, support payments, and other relevant matters. The mediator helps the parties understand each other’s perspectives, identify their needs and interests, and explore potential solutions to reach a comprehensive agreement.

Mediation has many benefits of mediation, such as allowing couples to maintain control over the outcome of their divorce, less contention, and a faster and less expensive method of divorcing. Mediation also fosters better communication and cooperation, which can be particularly beneficial when children are involved.

How Is Property Divided in New Jersey?

New Jersey is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets are divided fairly, not necessarily equally. Division is based on various factors, such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial and non-financial contributions, earning capacity, and future financial needs. Common types of marital property include:

• Bank accounts
• Business interests
• Investments
• Personal property
• Real estate
• Retirement accounts
• Vehicles
  

Separate property, such as assets owned before the marriage or acquired through inheritance, is generally not subject to division.

How Is Child Custody Determined?

Child custody decisions in New Jersey are made based on the child’s best interests. Courts consider factors such as the child’s relationship with each parent, the ability of each parent to provide a stable home, the child’s educational and medical needs, and any history of domestic violence or substance abuse.

Custody arrangements can include joint legal custody, sole legal custody, shared physical custody, or sole physical custody, depending on the circumstances. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and who is responsible for the child’s daily care. Legal custody involves the right to make important decisions about the child’s upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religious preferences.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

In New Jersey, child support is calculated in the child’s best interests using specific guidelines designed to ensure that the child’s financial needs are met. The courts consider several factors when calculating allotments, including:

• Number of children
• Both parents’ income
• Custodial arrangements
• Childcare costs
• Healthcare costs
• Extraordinary expenses
• Alimony or other support obligations
• Standard of living before divorce
• Taxes and deductions
• Government benefits
  

In special circumstances, the courts may adjust the calculation to ensure that the child’s best interests are always prioritized. Most family’s lives and schedules change over time, which can impact child support or custody agreements. Child support can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as job loss or substantial increase in income, relocation, or changes in a child’s needs.

Will I Pay or Receive Alimony?

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is determined based on several factors, including but not limited to the length of the marriage, the financial needs of the requesting spouse, the ability of the other spouse to pay, and the standard of living established during the marriage. The court may award different types of alimony.

Alimony is more common in high-asset divorces, which often involve significant income disparities, long-term marriages, and a higher standard of living to maintain post-divorce. When one spouse has been financially dependent on the other, such as one partner focused on raising children or managing the home, alimony ensures economic fairness.

High-asset divorces also frequently include complex financial holdings, such as business interests, real estate, and investments, making it more challenging for the lower-earning spouse to achieve financial independence immediately. Alimony is often awarded to help the lower-earning spouse transition from the marital standard of living without a drastic decline in finances.

How Long Does the Divorce Process Take?

The duration of the divorce process can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case and the level of cooperation between the parties involved. An uncontested divorce can be completed within a few months if both parties agree on all terms.

High-asset and contested divorces involving disputed issues, such as property division or child custody, can take over a year to complete.

Do I Need a Haddonfield Divorce Lawyer?

While it is possible to represent yourself in a divorce, having an experienced lawyer can help protect your rights and interests. Divorce involves complex legal and financial considerations, and an experienced Haddonfield lawyer can provide guidance on property division, alimony, and child custody, negotiate settlements, and advocate on your behalf if your case goes to trial.

Haddonfield Divorce Lawyer at Zeigler Law Group, LLC Protects Clients’ Interests and Assets Having exceptional legal representation during divorce, particularly high-asset divorces, is crucial. Call a Haddonfield divorce lawyer at Zeigler Law Group, LLC at 732-361-4827 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Toms River, Red Bank, Princeton, and Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we serve clients in Ocean County, Monmouth County, Mercer County, and Burlington County.