Divorce is referred to by different names in various states across the United States. In New Jersey, it is called “dissolution.” The process of obtaining a divorce is identical to dissolving a civil union between two people and dissolving a domestic partnership. This applies to regular divorces as well as high-asset divorces.
If you are wondering who can file for the divorce in New Jersey, either partner can do so. The only condition is that at least one of the partners must reside in the state. For couples who are in a domestic partnership or a civil union in New Jersey but who no longer live in the state, they can file in the county in which the civil union or partnership originally occurred.
Is it necessary to hire a lawyer to obtain a divorce?
Most likely, it was not easy for you to decide that divorce was right for you in the first place. Trying to navigate the divorce waters on your own is bound to add even more stress and anxiety. Because of that, it is recommended that you hire a lawyer if at all possible.
Whether you hire a lawyer to help you obtain a divorce or you attempt to do it on your own, you will need to file certain divorce forms and follow the instructions on those forms very carefully. The following sources will provide you with forms that you need to file.
- Legal Services of New Jersey: This site offers a free divorce guide, which explains exactly how to file for divorce or to dissolve a civil union based on irreconcilable differences, desertion, extreme cruelty or separation. The site also offers a complete divorce kit, which contains instructions plus all of the forms that you will need.
- Superior Court Ombudsman: This site also provide all of the forms that you will need as well as guidance in your county courthouse. The Ombudsman is a staff person who is considered neutral and can answer your questions objectively, help you with the process and help you to navigate the court system. It is important to keep in mind that the ombudsman is not allowed to offer legal advice since that person must remain neutral.
- NJ Courts Self-help Center: This center (NJCourts.gov) provides basic information regarding the process of divorce and also provides some of the forms that you will need to file, such as the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet, Certification of Self-represented Litigant and Dispute Resolution Alternatives and the Family Part Case Information Statement.
Once your divorce is final, the case is deemed closed. The records that contain information on all of the divorces in the county reside in the county courthouse for a short time and after that, they are stored in the Superior Court Clerk’s Office in Trenton, New Jersey.
Solid legal advice
If you are about to begin the process of obtaining a high-asset divorce in New Jersey, things may start to get complicated between you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse. This is where the help of an experienced divorce lawyer may make a tremendous difference to your case.
Depending on your relationship with the other spouse, it may be really painful to figure out how to divide your many assets, both valuable and sentimental. Your lawyer can help you to divide your assets to determine current value as well as the financial potential of each individual property so you both walk away with some degree of satisfaction.
