Rumson Divorce Lawyer

At Zeigler Law Group, LLC, we understand that divorce is a challenging and emotional process. In Rumson, Founder Sonya K. Zeigler, Esq. is committed to providing compassionate and personalized legal representation to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Sonya can adeptly help you navigate the legal process, safeguard your rights, and provide the comprehensive guidance and support you need every step of the way. She is extensively experienced in all facets of divorce, including:

• Asset Distribution: As an equitable distribution state, New Jersey divides marital property and debts in a fair and equitable manner, not equal. Sonya reviews all assets and liabilities and ensures a fair division.
• Business Protection: It is important to safeguard your business during a divorce. Sonya helps protect your business assets, minimize disruption, and ensure it continues to thrive.
• Child Custody: Child custody addresses the legal and physical custody arrangements for your children after divorce. Sonya advocates for your parental rights and develops supportive custody plans.
• Child Support: Child support is financial contributions one parent makes to the other for the child’s expenses. Sonya ensures calculations address the child’s needs and parents’ financial capabilities.
• Child Visitation: Details the schedule and conditions of the non-custodial parent to spend time with their child. Sonya creates visitation plans that foster and maintain healthy parent-child relationships.
• Mediation and Collaborative Divorce: Alternative dispute resolution methods focus on achieving a mutually agreeable settlement without the need for trial. Sonya can guide you through mediation or collaborative divorce, helping to reduce conflict and find amicable solutions.
• Modification of Orders: Modification refers to the legal process of changing existing court orders related to divorce, such as alimony, child support, or custody. When there are significant changes in circumstances, Sonya can assist in petitioning the court for modifications.
• Order Enforcement: If your former spouse refuses to follow child support or visitation orders, Sonya can help you take legal action to enforce compliance and protect your rights.
• Relocation: Relocating with a child can impact custody and visitation arrangements and requires permission from your co-parent. Sonya can help you navigate the legal requirements and advocate for your rights to relocate.
• Spousal Support: Spousal support, or alimony, is the financial assistance one spouse provides to another after divorce. Sonya establishes fair spousal support arrangements based on the financial needs and earning capacities of both parties.
  

What Are the Grounds for Divorce in New Jersey?

New Jersey recognizes both fault and no-fault divorces, which have different legal grounds. No-fault divorces are typically filed on grounds of mutual irreconcilable differences for at least six months with no possibility of reconciliation.

Fault-based divorces are filed under one or more of the state’s legal grounds, which include adultery, desertion, extreme cruelty, addiction to drugs or alcohol, mental illness, and imprisonment. Fault-based divorces require proving the alleged grounds. If you are planning to divorce, it is essential to consult an experienced Rumson divorce lawyer who can provide guidance on which type of divorce applies to your specific situation.

What Is the Process for Filing for Divorce in New Jersey?

Filing for divorce in New Jersey involves several steps that ensure all legal requirements are met and both parties’ interests are considered. The key processes of divorce include:

• File: Prepare and file the divorce petition detailing the grounds and your preferences regarding property division, child custody, and alimony.
• Serve: You must serve the divorce petition to the other spouse, who has a specific time frame to respond.
• Discovery: Both parties exchange information and documents related to their assets, debts, and other relevant issues.
• Negotiate: Both parties negotiate all issues to achieve a settlement agreement.
• Submit the Agreement: Once an agreement is met on all matters, the agreement is submitted to the court for approval.
• Trial: If an agreement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to trial, where a judge will make final decisions.
  

How Is Property Distribution Determined?

During divorce, the division of marital property is based on equitable distribution, which means a fair but not necessarily equal division. The court considers factors such as the duration of the marriage, age and health of both parties, marital standard of living, both parties’ income, earning potential and contributions to the marriage, and other relevant factors.

What Is Alimony and How Is It Determined?

Alimony, or spousal support, is financial payments from one spouse to the other during or following divorce. Alimony is designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living as during the marriage. In New Jersey, several types of alimony may be awarded.

When determining the type and amount of alimony, the courts consider factors, including but not limited to the recipient’s needs, the ability of the other to pay, the duration of the marriage, the age and health of both parties, and the marital standard of living.

How Are Child Custody and Child Support Determined?

Child custody decisions are made in the best interests of the child. There are two types of custody – legal and physical. Legal custody refers to the decision-making authority regarding the child’s upbringing. Physical custody determines with whom and where the child will primarily live. Custody is based on numerous factors, including:

• Parents’ ability to agree, communicate, and cooperate in matters concerning the child.
• Parents’ willingness to accept custody.
• History of domestic violence.
• Child’s relationship with parents and siblings.
• Child’s safety and needs.
• Child’s preference, if of sufficient age and capacity to reason.
• Stability of each parent’s home environment.
• Continuity and consistency in the child’s education and social life.
• Geographic proximity of the parents’ homes.
• Each parent’s mental and physical health.
  

New Jersey courts prefer joint custody arrangements, in which both parents share legal and physical custody whenever possible.

Child support is a financial contribution provided by the non-custodial parent to the primary custodial parent for the child’s essential needs. Child support is calculated using the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines, which considers various factors, including but not limited to:

• Parents’ income
• Number of children
• Custody arrangement
• Child’s needs
• Standard of living
• Health insurance costs
• Childcare expenses
• Extraordinary medical expenses
• Educational expenses
• Special needs of the child
  

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Rumson Divorce Lawyer at Zeigler Law Group, LLC Today

If you are considering divorce, call an experienced Rumson 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.