Divorce for Retired Cops in Mahwah

At O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department, one of the areas of divorce that we’re known for being leaders in is the blue divorce, or divorce involving members of our law enforcement community (please check out our blog post titled, How is a police divorce different from a regular divorce?).

If you’re a retired police officer from Mahwah, New Jersey: thank you for your service. If you’re reading this because you’re separated, contemplating divorce, or in the middle of a divorce, we can help you Move Forward— that’s our firm motto, and that’s what we do.

Why Schedule A Consultation With O’cathain Law Group Family Law Department?

We’ve handled many divorce matters for both active duty and retired police officers, and we know Bergen County. Recently the head of our Family Law Department, Francesca O’Cathain, Esq., was featured in New Jersey Cop Magazine and co-authored, along with our associate Raquel N. Teixeira, Esq., an article titled, “Navigating Divorce and Public Service.”

What Are Some Of The Areas We Can Help You With?

• Equitable Distribution: There may be the matter of a marital residence, joint marital property or even a vacation home, but often in a divorce involving a police officer, equitable distribution is trickier because it considers pensions, benefits and other retirement accounts. Your dedicated family lawyer— working with a dedicated family law paralegal and, at times, a forensic account— can help you protect the money you’ve worked so hard for. You’ve served and protected; now, let us do it.
• Alimony: You may be responsible for paying alimony to your spouse or soon to be ex-spouse, but now that you’re retired, their alimony claims may be unrealistic; the figures they keep throwing out too high. Working with a dedicated blue divorce lawyer who understands police culture and the economics of living in Mahwah, New Jersey, can help you work towards an alimony arrangement that’s more realistic for everyone.
• Child Support: Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean your children do not need child support (or be entitled to it), but it does mean taking into consideration your retirement when child support is ordered. The last thing we want is opposing counsel taking advantage of your unique situation.

What Steps Should You Take?

• Schedule a consultation with O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department. Call immediately to do so.
• Document any communication that may be relevant to the divorce proceedings. These might include text messages, social media posts, screenshots, voice mails, etc. Bring them to your consultation. (Don’t worry if you haven’t done this; your dedicated family law paralegal can help you do so.)
• Organize your financial documents. This includes credit card statements, retirement and pension accounts, benefits, assets and/or liabilities, and personal and/or marital debt. Again, bring them to your consultation. (Don’t worry if you haven’t done this; your dedicated family law paralegal can help you do so.)
• Think about your priorities in this divorce. Be honest with yourself and discuss them with your family lawyer at your initial consultation.

We know you’ve served your community. Now let O’Cathain Law Group serve you and help you turn the chapter on your divorce and Move Forward. Call to learn more about divorce for retired cops in Mahwah.