Posts Tagged ‘Divorce’

How Long Do You Have to Be Separated to File for Divorce In New Jersey?

Though deciding to get divorced is never an easy decision, residents of the state of New Jersey can take some comfort in the fact that the state has made divorce a relatively straightforward process, especially as compared to the laws in our neighboring state of Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, couples seeking divorce have to endure months of separation and a process that can go on for years, the state of New Jersey has made it possible to end a marriage quickly and easily if both spouses are motivated for that to happen, and even when a divorce is contentious, the law states that no divorce should take longer than one year from the date that the Complaint for Divorce is first filed. Anybody who has gone through an arduous, years’ long process can tell you that represents a real gift.

If you are considering a divorce, or are about to begin the process, the best thing you can do for yourself is to learn what to expect and what your options are. If you are looking for things to move along as quickly as possible, your best bet is for both of you to agree to a no-fault divorce. This option can lead to a process that takes just a month and a half, from beginning to end. The key to managing your expectations is to know that there are nine acceptable Grounds for Divorce in New Jersey, and each one has a prescribed waiting period that has to pass before you file for divorce. Irreconcilable Differences is the easiest and shortest of the nine: it involves having both parties indicating that the marriage has suffered for a minimum of six months, and if both parties agree to this it means that just under two months need to go by between the time of filing and the time that the divorce is finalized.

As is always the case, the matters that end up taking the most time in a divorce are those that involve how to address child custody and division of assets. The more the couple argues over these issues, the longer the process will take.

If you are a New Jersey resident and need information or representation on the divorce process, contact our office today for compassionate, professional legal guidance.

Why You Should Alert Your Child’s School About Your Divorce

Whether you and your spouse are going through a divorce or have already been divorced for years, you may think your marital status is a personal thing, and that there’s no need to share it with outsiders, including your child’s school community. Unfortunately, failing to inform your child’s teacher of your separate living arrangements – as well as your custody schedule – can lead to negative consequences for your child. Let’s look at why you should alert your child’s school about your divorce, and how to manage an assortment of school-related issues.

One of the most important goals for a divorced family should be to ensure stability for your children, and that means that both parents should be apprised of and supportive of school routines and activities. This means that you should both know about homework assignments, issues regarding behavior or interactions with students and teachers, and of special activities like teacher meetings, band and choir concerts, and sporting activities. It also means that teachers need to be kept in the loop. Failing to let teachers know that parents live in separate households can lead to messages not getting to both parents, homework assignments not being completed, and most importantly, teachers not being on the alert for signs that a child needs additional emotional support. It also means that teachers can’t adjust lesson plans to avoid causing your child any unnecessary anxiety or pain.

Though there are plenty of single-parent homes, most teachers will automatically assume that children live in two-parent homes unless they are provided with the information that they need. Just as you would alert a teacher of an allergy or illness, you need to let them know what is going on at home.

In addition to making sure that the school is aware of your situation, parents have an obligation and responsibility to make sure that the other is well aware of all pertinent school communications. Failing to let your ex-spouse know about a school event not only cheats them of being able to participate in your child’s life firsthand but can also lead to painful misunderstandings or disappointments for your child. As in all other areas involving children in a divorce, parents need to remember that all actions taken should include consideration of what is in the child’s best interest.

If you need assistance with how to communicate with your spouse about school activities or your child’s school, we can provide you with the guidance you need. Call us today to set up a consultation with one of our compassionate attorneys.