(201)488-1161
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re contemplating divorce— you’re unhappy in your marriage, you’re thinking of leaving, or you’ve strayed. Or maybe it’s the other way around: your spouse has just dropped the bombshell news that they’ve hired a divorce attorney.
Either way, your life— and your family’s life— is about to irrevocably change. You may be scared; you have questions, likely about the Hackensack divorce requirements. We can help with all of this: O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department has the experience and empathy to help you Move Forward to the next chapter of your family’s life. And while it may not feel this way right now, we can help you make the next chapter even better: more stable, more secure, more loving— more you.
While there are many options and variables in divorce (from issues of child custody to alimony), let’s look at what’s required to divorce in Hackensack:
You need not state a specific reason for divorce. Like many states, New Jersey is a ‘no-fault’ or ‘irreconcilable differences’ state: you don’t have to give a reason (such as ‘adultery’ or ‘extreme cruelty’) to file for divorce. What does that mean? It is frankly not defined, but to file for divorce:
While you could, in theory, represent yourself in a divorce case, we highly recommend against it. Divorce is a serious matter with numerous issues, and an experienced family law attorney is recommended to help guide you through this difficult and emotional process, and to fight for what you and your family deserve. You may be worried about child support or the fate of the marital residence, and it’s best to have a skilled professional on your side. The managing partner of our Family Law Department, Francesca O’Cathain, Esq., is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a divorce lawyer.
A divorce may be uncontested— both parties agree to both the divorce and the terms of the divorce. More likely is a contested divorce, in which one party, while agreeing to the divorce, does not agree on the myriad of issues (ranging from, say, alimony payments to the child custody arrangement to the fate of the marital residence).
Most divorces will have issues to be resolved: What will the non-custodial parenting visitation schedule be? How are the debt or savings divided? What about the family dog?
Even the simplest of divorces have documents required by the Hackensack court, beginning with the Complaint for Divorce. Our dedicated family law paralegals will work with you on all the documents required by the court. (Please see our page on the Hackensack Divorce Process.)
In more complex divorce cases, you may need a forensic account to value a business, a licensed clinical social worker or child psychologist to examine a child, or a certified financial planner to assist with the long-term economic outcome of divorce.
Of course, there are still “fault” grounds (i.e., adultery and extreme cruelty, to name a couple) upon which you may file for divorce.
Ready to Move Forward? O’Cathain Law Group Family Law Department has the team for you. We know the Hackensack divorce requirements and are here to guide you through every required step of divorce.
Call (201) 488-1161 to schedule a consultation, email in**@ol***.com for more information, or simply fill out the online intake form here.