If you seek a divorce in New Jersey, you may hesitate to initiate it as you fear a costly and time-consuming legal process. Many couples assume that they have to attend numerous court proceedings to iron out the terms that will apply to the termination of their marriage, such as child custody, visitation schedules, child support, spousal support, property division, etc. Fortunately, alternative divorce routes can save couples a substantial amount of time and money while avoiding litigation. If you and your spouse can put your negative emotions aside and work together to reach a mutually beneficial divorce settlement, you can dissolve your marriage without going to court. Please continue reading to learn the steps of an uncontested divorce in New Jersey and how our trusted Monmouth County Divorce & Separation Attorneys can help you find the best divorce route tailored to the unique circumstances of your case.
Can I Get a Divorce Without Going to Court?
If you want to stay out of divorce court in the Garden State, you must meet certain requirements to file for an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is one in which both spouses agree that they want to dissolve their marriage. Depending on the court’s caseload, an uncontested divorce timeline is typically three to six months. This expeditated pace can be attributed to the fact that couples don’t have to iron out the terms that will apply to the termination of the marriage as they have already agreed on the divorce terms.
If you and your spouse fail to resolve your disputed issues and reach a mutually beneficial divorce agreement, you will have to undergo a contested divorce. This divorce route involves attending numerous court hearings to iron out the terms that will apply to the termination of the marriage. Essentially, you cannot dissolve your marriage without going to court. This divorce route generally takes more time, ranging from several months to years to resolve, depending on the complexity of the case, among other factors.
Should I Consider Mediation?
If you and your spouse have attempted to resolve your disputed issues on your own but still haven’t been able to work out a settlement agreement and don’t want to go to court, you can turn to the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method of mediation. Divorce mediation is a confidential process in which you and your spouse will meet with a neutral third party who facilitates discussion and resolution of any issues arising from the divorce. Mediation is intended to help couples negotiate, to arrive at a just divorce settlement. There are various benefits to divorce mediation, including avoiding litigation.
For more information on the alternative divorce routes that can help you avoid litigation, please don’t hesitate to contact a determined attorney from Paone Zaleski & Murphy today. Our dedicated legal team is prepared to help you determine the best legal pathway for dissolving your marriage.
