New Jersey Divorce Lawyer

Our Law Firm Can Help You File For Divorce And Take Other Important Steps

Divorce can be difficult and divisive, especially when it comes to children or deciding how to divide a couple’s money and other financial assets. Divorce can also give families a fresh start and create opportunities for everyone to live their lives the way they want in the future.

The choices you make now can have a big impact on the rest of your life. That’s why it’s critical that you carefully consider all your legal options and consult with an experienced New Jersey divorce lawyer as soon as possible. If you are filing for divorce in New Jersey or at any stage in the divorce process, you know how overwhelming, confusing or sometimes even emotional the whole situation can be for you, and everyone involved.

Not sure what to do next? Wondering what options are available to you? You’re not alone. We can help. Simply contact us and schedule an appointment in our Short Hills or Parsippany office. At Williams Law Group, LLC, our experienced New Jersey divorce attorneys are committed to helping you achieve your goals and getting your life back on track.

It’s important to realize that divorce is not about ending a marriage. It’s about starting your new life, on your terms. That’s what our New Jersey divorce lawyers are here for – to make sure your rights are respected and that your concerns receive the attention they rightfully deserve.

Divorce Statistics In New Jersey

• 2.7 divorces for every 1,000 residents in New Jersey.
• Roughly 50 percent of marriages in New Jersey result in divorce.
• 2^nd lowest divorce rate of any state in the country.
• 30 years old – average age of someone in New Jersey experiencing their first divorce.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Don’t Underestimate The Complexity Of Your Divorce

There is much more involved in getting a divorce than simply having the papers filed, approved and signed. Like it or not, ending a marriage is more than just a legality. Your life is being separated from another person. And, in many cases, your entire identity is being torn apart.

You may be responsible for helping your children cope, possibly moving from a home you have lived in for many years, changing jobs, changing financial status, and, essentially, beginning your life all over again.

Your ultimate goal will be to make your new life work for you both on an emotional and a practical level. Assuming both parties wanted the divorce, then it may be a bit easier to deal with, although still an emotional time.

However, if one spouse wanted to end the marriage and the other absolutely did not, then the emotions can run even higher. You may feel angry, hurt, betrayed, taken advantage of, depressed, ambivalent, and unsure of which direction you should turn in order to get your life back on track.

We Know What You’re Going Through

The family law attorneys at the Williams Law Group have a deep understanding of the issues surrounding dissolving a marriage—both the legal issues and the emotional issues. While our first priority is to legally represent you and your best interests in the most beneficial way possible, we are also compassionate to the issues you are facing now and will face in the future. Your concerns are our concerns, and our ultimate goal is to get you through this difficult time and back on track to your future in the most expeditious manner. So, while dissolving a marriage is tough, there are things you can do to make it easier, and one of those things is choosing an experienced New Jersey divorce lawyer from the Williams Law Group.

How Our New Jersey Divorce Attorneys Can Help You

Our professional, knowledgeable team of attorneys are dedicated to getting each and every client through their divorce in New Jersey – you are important to us, and when we consult with you, we really listen, and we keep you fully informed throughout the process. At the Williams Law Group, LLC, we offer a comprehensive range of divorce-related services, including:

• Determining business valuations and divisions.
• Performing complex asset, debt, and equity divisions.
• Calculating and obtaining alimony and spousal support.
• Obtaining protective orders or other temporary orders.
• Filing legal pleadings, including petitions and motions.
• Identifying and tracing all marital assets.
• Obtaining and enforcing child support orders.
• Creating parenting plans.
• Putting together a workable child custody agreement.
• Trial Advocacy.
• Participating in mediation, arbitration and informal settlements (Alternative Dispute Resolution).
• Seeking post-judgment modification of child custody.
• Seeking post-judgment enforcement of child visitation orders.
• Seeking post-judgment modification and enforcement of spousal support and child support.

How Much Does A Divorce Lawyer Cost?

There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to divorce lawyers. So, you should always be cautious if a divorce attorney tells you how much it will cost to handle your case without knowing all the details.

Each divorce case and divorce lawyer are different. That’s why it’s important to discuss your expectations and your goals with your divorce attorney. When you meet with a New Jersey divorce lawyer at our firm, we can answer your questions, explain your options and discuss our fees up front with you so you know what to expect.

Is New Jersey a 50/50 Divorce State?

No. Unlike some states, New Jersey is not a 50/50 divorce state, where are couple’s assets are divided in half. Instead, New Jersey has what’s known as an “equitable distribution” system. This means that a couple’s financial assets are divided equitably or evenly between them. This might sound simple. But what is fair or equitable can often result in disagreements between couples filing for divorce. That’s why it’s always best to discuss such issues with an attorney.

How Long Does A New Jersey Divorce Take?

Here again, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The timeline for how long your divorce will take to finalize will depend on many different factors, including whether both sides agree on important legal issues like child support, child custody and alimony.

In general, many divorces in New Jersey take anywhere from three months to as long as five years in cases involving complicated, contentious divorces. Some New Jersey divorce lawyers tell people to expect their divorce to take 10 to 12 months. But again, such timelines can vary widely depending on the details of your specific case.

How Many Years Do You Have To Be Married To Get Alimony In New Jersey?

There is no minimum marriage length when it comes to whether or not someone is eligible to receive alimony after a divorce in New Jersey. If someone meets all the other qualifications for alimony in New Jersey, they can and should be eligible to receive such financial compensation and awarded alimony.

Does New Jersey Require Separation Before Divorce?

No. A couple does not have to live apart for a specified amount of time before they decide to file for divorce in New Jersey. If a couple chooses to live apart and file for divorce, that’s their choice. But there are no formal legal separation requirements when filing for divorce in New Jersey.

Is New Jersey A Fault or No Fault Divorce State?

State law provides grounds for divorce that include both “fault” and “no-fault” filings. In a “no-fault” divorce, the parties must live separate and apart for 18 months before filing for divorce. An individual may file for a “fault” divorce for situations involving adultery, desertion, and domestic abuse. Alternatively, a couple may file for a “no-fault” divorce if they cannot work out their differences and wish to end their marriage as a result of those differences.

Most divorce proceedings focus on two major areas: distribution of marital assets and debts, as well as child custody and support. Regarding property interests, state law follows the rule of “equitable distribution,” which establishes that married couples without a valid prenup should fairly distribute both assets and liabilities upon divorce. In a final judgment of a divorce involving children, parents may have to address issues such as custody, child support, visitation, and relocation. One of our New Jersey lawyers could assist with any of these sensitive family law situations.

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?

More and more, divorcing couples are using some type of Alternative Dispute Resolution, whether mediation, arbitration or types of informal settlements. Appearing in court, before a judge, can produce anxiety, stress, and even fear. You may have to testify about deeply personal matters, defending yourself against questions from the opposing attorney. When you are not testifying, you must sit calmly, even when your ex and witnesses are saying things about you which simply are not true—disparaging, anger-inducing things. You may be worried about the financial impact of the trial as well. Before your case goes to trial, you may be ordered to attempt some form of Alternative Dispute Resolution. In short, Alternative Dispute Resolution is some form of conference between you, your ex and a professional mediator or arbitrator, with a goal of reaching mutually agreeable decisions, while avoiding a trial.

Arbitration is procedurally similar to a trial, however during arbitration, an objective third party (typically, an experienced family law attorney or a retired family law judge) hears the case. In divorce arbitration, the rules of evidence must be followed, presenting evidence through exhibits and witnesses. The arbitrator will make a binding decision on the case—unless non-binding arbitration is chosen, in which case the parties can appeal the decision to the trial court. You may wonder why you would bother with arbitration, when it is so similar to a trial. Unfortunately, court dockets tend to have significant backlogs, meaning your trial could be delayed for as long as a year. Arbitration, on the other hand, usually happens quickly, saving you time and money. Our experienced New Jersey divorce attorneys can help you through alternative dispute resolution during your divorce.

Ending a Marriage with Mediation

Mediation is another form of Alternative Dispute Resolution, however, unlike arbitration, the process is not as formal. The parties meet at a neutral location—in separate rooms—during mediation, and a certified mediator identifies the issues to be resolved. The mediator will go back and forth between the two parties, determining which issues can be readily agreed-upon, and which will require more time. Like an arbitrator, the mediator is a trained, neutral third party, who makes no decisions about the outcome of the issues, rather listens to the arguments from both sides, guiding the parties toward compromise, when possible.

Mediation tends to be more successful in divorces which are not highly contentious—when there is at least some common ground. A mediated agreement finalizes the divorce, while avoiding the expense and trauma of a trial. Before you agree to mediation, you must discuss the issue with your attorney, determining whether there is sufficient common ground between you and your spouse to make mediation successful. To save time for all those involved, you must tell your attorney exactly what issues you will not budge on, and which issues you could compromise on.

“I recently had a great initial consultation with the Director of Client Service at Williams Law Group LLC. She was an excellent listener and explained the divorce process clearly. She also introduced me to the attorney assistant and paralegal who will be supporting my case. Based on this experience, I would absolutely recommend this firm for family law cases in New Jersey.” – F.A.

Speak with Our New Jersey Divorce Attorneys

At the Williams Law Group, LLC, we will be with you from the start of your divorce to the very end and beyond. If you later find that modifications are necessary, we will be right there to assist you in reaching modifications everyone involved can live with.

Our team of attorneys understands that there are times when you may want the end of your marriage and custody issues to remain private, and we will work with you to help you avoid public disclosure of sensitive documents. We will ensure your legal rights are consistently protected, creating the best legal strategy for your situation, while maintaining your privacy.

Whether the dissolution of your marriage is shaping up to be contentious, simple, or you are dealing with a high net-worth divorce, we have the skills and knowledge you need. If you are interested in Alternative Dispute Resolution, or a collaborative divorce, our attorneys can guide you through the process.

Learn more about your legal rights. Contact us and schedule an appointment with a New Jersey divorce lawyer who delivers results. We have offices in Short Hills and Parsippany. If you are having issues with child custody, child support or alimony, our attorneys can work with you to reach an equitable agreement. No matter what issue you face during the end of your marriage, our New Jersey divorce lawyers can help.

Williams Law Group, LLC – we’re on your side.