Hackensack Divorce Lawyer

How Long Does a Divorce Take?

Divorce proceedings in Hackensack can take anywhere from three months to over a year. It depends on the circumstances of the divorce case, court backlogs, the extent of assets, whether both parties are willing to cooperate –particularly in child custody matters, and whether the divorce is contested or not.

Uncontested Divorce

Uncontested divorce proceedings tend to be straightforward, as both individuals are often amenable to compromise and reaching fair agreements. So, thorny issues such as debt, asset division, finances, alimony, and child support are resolved amicably by both parties.

Typically, once they agree on the terms, they merely need to sign Property Settlement Agreement and, after submission to the Court, a Judgment of Divorce will be granted. As a result, uncontested divorces are often faster, with both parties required to appear in court only once before the process is finalized. Also, it is much cheaper for both parties typically, thus allowing them to use their finances for other important post-marital issues.

Contested Divorce

This takes much longer due to the often adversarial nature of the divorce. In contested divorce proceedings, one or both parties tend to disagree on multiple issues.

This lack of cooperation then leads to prolonged standoffs, heated meetings, a lot of fighting and bickering over who gets what, and multiple court, or mediation, sessions. As a result, contested divorces tend to cost more for both parties.

A Hackensack divorce attorney can review your circumstances to help you understand which option is best for you and how long your divorce might take.

What Are the Divorce Requirements in Hackensack?

Certain conditions must be met before anyone can file for divorce in Hackensack or specifically, with the Superior Court in Bergen County. These include the following:

• How long either party has lived in New Jersey. To file a divorce case in New Jersey, at least one party must have a minimum of 12 months of residency.
• Both parties must cite a minimum of six months of irreconcilable differences.
• The initiating party must file “A Complaint for Divorce’ to start the proceeding. This petition will then be served on their partner. Filing can be done through mail, by submitting it personally, or through New Jersey’s Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) platform.
• Both parties are required to fully disclose all assets, properties, vehicles, and financial accounts (including investment and retirement accounts).

A divorce lawyer in Hackensack from O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department can walk you through the entire process or assist you in handling it, while you focus on other things.

Call a Hackensack Divorce Attorney Today

Divorce is often hard on both parties, even when the split is amicable. However, with the help of an experienced Hackensack divorce lawyer, you can navigate the process more smoothly and hopefully arrive at fair and reasonable solutions that benefit everyone involved. So, if you are reading this and thinking of divorce, call our offices, fill out the intake form, or email a dedicated Family Law paralegal to speak with a Hackensack divorce lawyer at O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department. We’re here to help you Move Forward.