Meeting with an attorney for any reason can be intimidating, but especially so when the subject is divorce. Unless you’ve been divorced before, you are probably wondering what questions to ask, what kind of papers you need to bring with you, how much this is going to cost, etc. You probably feel anxious about putting…
Divorcing couples that find they can agree on all the key elements of a divorce can expedite their proceeding by choosing what is known as uncontested divorce. This means that you and your spouse agree on: Division of marital assets and debts Child custody and visitation Child support Spousal support (alimony) Tax exemptions and deductions…
Let’s face it: many of us don’t give much thought to taxes until April is near. But if you’re getting divorced, neglecting to give your tax burden more than a passing thought would be a mistake. Before finalizing your divorce, you will need to meet with a tax accountant to understand your new reality as…
Infidelity is one of the most common reasons why married couples split, and in New Jersey, it is grounds for filing for divorce based on fault. New Jersey has both no-fault and fault divorce. The grounds for a no-fault divorce include living separately for at least 18 months or irreconcilable differences that have lasted at…
In determining child support, New Jersey courts generally follow the NJ Child Support Guidelines to determine how much money it will take to raise a child depending on that child’s age and the parents’ income. The cost is then divided proportionally based on income unless certain special circumstances apply, one of which is having a…
It can come as a surprise for divorcing couples in New Jersey to learn that their individual retirement accounts are subject to division in a divorce. Even though those accounts are typically in each individual’s name and are based on their years of employment, they are still considered to be part of the marital estate…
Whether expected or not, being served with divorce papers is never a pleasant experience. If it catches you totally by surprise, the shock can be enough to numb you into not taking any action. But this would be a mistake. You need to take the necessary steps to protect your legal rights and your financial…
Anticipating your life after divorce can produce more anxiety than the divorce itself, especially if it’s been a few decades since you were single. Here are five steps to help you jumpstart your new life following a divorce: 1. Prioritize your needs. After making your spouse and children a priority for years, it’s now time…
Since your home is typically the largest financial asset you own (and biggest expense), it’s no surprise that deciding what to do with that big asset can be a big bone of contention between divorcing spouses. When deciding whether to keep or sell the marital home during a divorce, it’s important to consider this decision…
Sometimes people in the midst of divorce fail to realize that they could be making it harder on themselves and their children by being contentious. Taking the high road is not always easy, but there are several reasons you should make that a goal, including the following: An amicable divorce saves money. There is no…
Rarely is making the decision to divorce easy. Considering all the decisions you need to make and the emotions you will have to deal with can be overwhelming. Since divorce is a life-changing event, there are several things you should consider before moving forward: Is the marriage beyond repair? Because divorce can be expensive, time-consuming,…
There’s no doubt that divorce takes a lot of time and energy out of a mom — energy you’d rather be spending on your children. Feeling powerless to find the extra time to devote to your children during a very stressful time in your life and theirs can lead to “mom guilt,” a condition that…
Divorce can be more difficult than the norm if you are divorcing a business partner as well as a spouse. There are several options you can explore — sell the business and split the profits, have one spouse buy the other spouse out, or continue to operate the business together. Here are some thoughts on…
Divorce is a time of conflicting emotions — anger, sadness, and even relief. Typically, emotions are all over the place, which can make it difficult to make good decisions about issues that will likely have an impact on your life long after the divorce is over. The things you should be doing during a divorce…
Unless you have already gone through one, it can be easy to make mistakes as you navigate the emotional, financial, and practical details of a divorce. To help you avoid making any big mistakes that could negatively impact your future, here are 10 things you should NOT do when you divorce: 1. Don’t dismiss the…