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Asking, “How is a police divorce different from a regular divorce?” is an important first step if you are facing this situation. Divorces involving police officers and other law enforcement professionals often raise unique challenges, from pension and retirement benefits to demanding work schedules and the impact of high-stress careers on family life.
At the O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department, our family law attorneys have significant experience representing police officers in these complex cases. We approach every matter with compassion, clear guidance, and a strong commitment to being accessible throughout the process. Our team brings both skill and dedication to help you navigate your divorce and Move Forward with confidence.
The equitable distribution of property under New Jersey Statute § 2A:34-23.1 is a key part of every divorce. Every spouse has a right to an equitable share of the property acquired and maintained during the marriage. However, the key assets for many police couples are the pension and other benefits received at retirement. The rules around dividing a police officer’s retirement benefits in a divorce can be complex compared to a regular divorce. It is important to understand the full value of these assets when dividing future rights to them or to other property currently in your possession.
If the spouses cannot agree on a division of property, the court may award each spouse an equitable share based on many different factors, such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions, and other economic circumstances. Our family lawyers can work toward identifying these issues in your divorce and finding solutions that protect your financial interests.
Police officers often have unique schedules with long shifts, on-call duties, and other obligations that differ from a standard work schedule. As a result, police divorces can create additional issues in determining a child custody arrangement that are different from other divorce cases. For example, joint physical custody may not be feasible because of work conflicts.
Our police divorce lawyers help clients think through the practical challenges of various child custody arrangements under New Jersey Statute § 9:2-4 to find a parenting plan agreement that works. We can also provide clients with the representation to pursue sole custody. This occurs in cases where a spouse may be unfit to have custody because of substance abuse, domestic violence, or other issues that jeopardize the safety of your child.
Asking the question “How is a police divorce different from a regular divorce?” is important in this situation. While many issues are the same, a police divorce often includes a variety of unique challenges in resolving rights to property, spousal support, and child custody.
The support of a divorce lawyer experienced in these cases can be beneficial in making informed decisions and advocating for a court ruling when necessary. Contact O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department to schedule an initial consultation today.