Toms River Divorce Attorneys Protect Clients’ Interests
Ocean County firm represents spouses in negotiations, mediation and litigation
While ending a marriage can be a difficult experience, Rehrer & Rehrer Attorneys at Law has helped Ocean County residents successfully make the transition to single life for decades. Our firm concentrates on finding solutions to disputed issues through mutual agreement whenever possible, which cuts down on the cost and aggravation associated with the legal dissolution process. You can count on us to advocate for fair terms relating to child custody, property division, alimony and child support so you can look forward with confidence.
Divorce requirements under New Jersey law
The legal term for divorce in New Jersey is dissolution. To start the process of dissolving your marriage, the following requirements under N.J.S.A. 2A34-24 must be satisfied:
- You and/or your spouse has lived in the state for at least 12 months
- You must state the legal grounds on which you seek to end your marriage. Most people opt for a “no fault” divorce by claiming that the parties have experienced irreconcilable differences for at least six months
- Filing and service of a summons and complaint, as well as completion and submission of a case information statement and other documents
Even a small mistake can cost you time and money as you look to start the next chapter of your life. Contacting us before you file for dissolution can help you avoid common pitfalls and protect your interests.
What to expect in a marriage dissolution proceeding
Our firm provides exceptional legal counsel to New Jersey clients at all stages of the divorce process, such as:
- Negotiation and mediation — During a divorce, it is important to see the big picture. Resolving financial and parenting terms through negotiation with or without the assistance of an experienced neutral mediator usually reduces the time, expense and stress associated with divorce.
- Discovery — Parties to a divorce must exchange financial information and other methods of discovery might be critical if the case goes to trial.
- Trial — In most cases, we are able to negotiate a mutually agreeable settlement, but if that cannot be achieved, our attorneys are skillful family law trial advocates.
Whether your divorce is relatively amicable or requires resolution from the court, you can rely on us to ease the burden as you look to move forward.
Major factors that can affect a divorce
No two divorces are exactly alike and you can never be sure in advance of how the marriage dissolution process will go. However, there are several factors that often shape the timeframe and tenor of a divorce. The most important factor is whether you and your spouse share minor children. If so, a parenting plan detailing child custody and parenting time arrangements must be developed. Disputes over child support can also make a divorce proceeding longer and more contentious. When we start working with clients, we also look at factors such as the value of marital property, the events that led to the breakup and any history of domestic violence between the parties to provide an overview on what to expect.
Lawyers pursue favorable terms on custody, child support, alimony and property division
Even in cases where there are high emotions, spouses can often reach a compromise on financial and parenting terms that allow them to complete an uncontested divorce. In these cases, a marital settlement agreement is submitted to the court for review and incorporation into the dissolution order. Should you and your spouse fail to achieve consensus on all issues, our attorneys will provide strong advocacy during your contested divorce, which might involve disputes over one or more of the following issues:
- Child custody — When parents break up, they should focus on the well-being of their children. We strive to negotiate child custody and parenting time plans that create a healthy, cooperative framework for everyone involved.
- Child support — Our attorneys handle all types of child support concerns, both during the divorce and afterward if the order requires modification or enforcement.
- Property division — New Jersey courts decide property division issues based on the principle of equitable distribution (N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23.1). This means the judge delivers an order based on what they think is fair, and value does not have to be split equally.
- Alimony (N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23) — Changes in state law over the years have reduced the incidence of open-ended alimony. Courts have wide latitude on spousal support determinations, so it is important to have an attorney who can present your side effectively.
Our goal is to secure a favorable result for you while minimizing the time, cost and stress required to finalize your divorce.
Contact an experienced Ocean County divorce lawyer
Rehrer & Rehrer Attorneys at Law advocates on behalf of South Jersey residents in divorce proceedings. If your marriage is ending, please call us today at 848-480-1527 or contact our Toms River office online.
