Ocean County Divorce Lawyers

Divorce frequently involves a multifaceted journey, often emerging as one of life’s most formidable and emotionally charged trials, particularly in instances involving minor children or high assets. Should divorce be under consideration, securing an advocate is imperative—one versed not just in legal matters but also possessing the insight to navigate your distinct circumstances. Our Ocean County divorce lawyers boast decades of seasoned practice at Zeigler Law Group, LLC. We offer an unwavering commitment to providing you with unparalleled legal support.

What Types of Cases Do We Handle at Zeigler Law Group, LLC?

Zeigler Law Group, LLC handles a wide range of divorce-related matters in Ocean County, spanning diverse areas such as:

• Family Law
• Divorce
• High-Asset Divorce
• Child Custody
• Visitation Agreements
• Child Support
• Spousal Support
• Equitable Distribution
• Mediation
• Grandparent Visitation Rights
• Surrogacy Law
• Reproductive Law
• Taxation Law

Our Ocean County divorce lawyers are proficient in navigating all areas of divorce, ensuring thorough and tailored legal representation to address your unique needs.

Are There Requirements to Divorce in New Jersey?

To obtain a divorce in New Jersey, couples must fulfill the state’s specific criteria:

• At least one spouse must have resided in New Jersey continuously for a minimum of 12 months before filing for divorce.
• Before initiating the divorce proceedings, the couple must have experienced irreconcilable differences for at least six months.
• Both spouses must be sure that reconciliation is not a feasible option.

What Type of Divorce Should I File for in New Jersey?

Divorces in New Jersey fall into two categories: “fault” or “no-fault,” chosen based on the specific circumstances of the divorce. The grounds for divorce in New Jersey include:

• Abandonment or desertion
• Adultery
• Alcohol or drug addiction
• Deviant sexual behavior
• Domestic violence or mental abuse
• Incarceration
• Institutionalization
• Irreconcilable differences

Most divorces in New Jersey are categorized as no-fault, commonly called “uncontested” divorce, citing grounds of “irreconcilable differences.” In such cases, details about these differences are not required.

For divorces filed under other recognized grounds, they are considered fault-based. To proceed with a fault-based divorce, you must present evidence supporting the grounds, which can be challenging.

Collecting evidence is often intricate and may necessitate hiring professionals for investigation and information gathering. Thus, engaging an experienced divorce lawyer is crucial. They comprehend the requisite evidence for each ground and possess a network of experts to gather supporting information effectively.

What Are High-Asset Divorces, and How Are They Different?

Divorces involving spouses with assets exceeding $1 million are deemed high-asset divorces, often proving more intricate and contentious due to the substantial wealth involved. Here are some ways in which high-asset divorces differ:

• Cost: High-asset divorces incur significantly higher legal fees due to the involvement of forensic accountants, investigators, and other financial experts.
• Length: Identifying, valuing assets, and negotiating agreements for property division prolonging the divorce process.
• Taxes: High-asset individuals face increased tax implications due to their substantial marital property.
• Property division: Equitably dividing property, especially businesses, requires extensive time and experience.
• Mediation: High-asset divorces commonly opt for mediation to maintain confidentiality, unlike public court records.
• Existing agreements: These divorces often involve intricate pre- or post-nuptial agreements dictating property division.

Handling high-asset divorces necessitates experienced lawyers and financial experts. Zeigler Law Group, LLC’s Ocean County divorce lawyers are adept in representing high-net-worth clients. Founder Sonya K. Zeigler, Esq., with an LL.M. in Taxation and specialized legal training, is renowned for navigating complex high-asset divorces and achieving favorable outcomes for her clients.

What Should I Expect During the Divorce Process?

In New Jersey, the divorce process involves several critical steps and negotiations before the court considers granting the final decree. Here is an overview of the typical divorce process:

• Filing the divorce petition: One spouse initiates the process by preparing the required documents and filing the divorce petition with the court.
• Response to the petition: The other spouse must respond to the petition within 35 days of receiving it.
• Discovery phase: Legal representatives for each spouse commence discovery, gathering all financial records and listing assets. This phase may also involve depositions of relevant parties if needed.
• Negotiation and mediation: Both spouses, along with their lawyers, engage in negotiations or mediation to settle matters such as asset division, alimony, child custody, and any other pertinent issues. The goal is to reach a mutually acceptable settlement agreement.
• Intensive Settlement Conference: If negotiations or mediation do not lead to an agreement, the court may order an Intensive Settlement Conference to facilitate resolution.
• Courtroom trial: In cases where all attempts at agreement fail, the divorce proceedings move to a courtroom trial. Here, the court will hear arguments and evidence from both sides before issuing a final judgment.

Throughout this process, legal counsel plays a crucial role in advocating for their clients’ interests and ensuring that all legal requirements and procedures are followed.

How Is Marital Property Divided During Divorce?

In New Jersey, the principle of equitable distribution governs the division of marital assets and debts during divorce, aiming for a fair rather than strictly equal split. The court considers various factors when determining property division, including:

• Duration of the marriage.
• Age and health of each spouse.
• Income and future earning capacity of each spouse.
• Standard of living during the marriage.
• Economic circumstances of each spouse.
• Value of marital assets.
• Contributions of both spouses to marital property.
• Requirements of prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
• Any other pertinent factors.

Marital property encompasses assets and debts acquired and jointly utilized during the marriage, such as bank accounts, businesses, vehicles, debts, real estate, retirement accounts, and investments.

Assets owned solely by one spouse before or during the marriage typically remain personal property and are not subject to division. However, if personal property contributes to acquiring marital assets, it may be deemed marital and subject to division.

How Long Does Divorce Take?

The duration of a divorce proceeding can vary significantly based on several factors. While the courts generally aim for divorces to conclude within a year, the complexity of the case and the issues at hand play a substantial role in determining the timeline.

Uncontested divorces where both parties agree on major issues like asset division and child custody can often be finalized within a few months. However, divorces involving substantial assets exceeding $1 million or contentious matters like child custody disputes may take a year or more to resolve.

The court’s preference for timely resolutions underscores the importance of efficiently navigating legal processes, especially in cases involving complexities or significant assets. Engaging experienced legal counsel can help streamline proceedings and work toward a favorable resolution within a reasonable timeframe.

Why Choose Zeigler Law Group, LLC for Your Ocean County Divorce Case

Divorce proceedings can swiftly escalate into emotional and contentious situations. Having a proficient and knowledgeable divorce lawyer at your side offers essential guidance, impartial advice, and the necessary support throughout these challenging circumstances. At Zeigler Law Group, LLC, our Ocean County divorce lawyers will:

• Establish the grounds for divorce.
• Compile and file all legally mandated documents.
• Identify and trace all assets.
• Calculate suitable child support amounts.
• Formulate a fair distribution plan for marital assets.
• Draft child custody and co-parenting arrangements.
• Assess eligibility criteria for spousal support.
• Facilitate negotiation or mediation for settlement agreements.
• Provide legal representation in court proceedings if the case proceeds to trial.

Our Ocean County Divorce Lawyers at Zeigler Law Group, LLC Will Help You With All Aspects of the Divorce Process

If you are seeking a divorce, our Ocean County divorce lawyers at Zeigler Law Group, LLC are committed and empathetic advocates ready to assist and advise you throughout the process. Call 732-361-4827 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. With offices in Toms River, Red Bank, Princeton, and Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we extend our services to clients in Ocean County, Monmouth County, Mercer County, and Burlington County.