What Are the Grounds For Divorce in New Jersey?
When you decide to get a divorce in New Jersey, the court is going to ask you why. Not having an answer is not really an option. You must have “grounds” for divorce, meaning that there is some reason that you have decided to spend the court’s time and resources to bring this marriage to an end. Fortunately, there are a number of different options to choose from when you need to show grounds for divorce. Our Chatham, New Jersey divorce attorneys can help you figure out the best choice for you.
Should I Choose a Fault or No-Fault Grounds for Divorce?
When you choose a grounds for divorce, you can decide to go for a fault divorce or a no-fault divorce. As the name implies, a fault divorce blames your spouse in some way for the dissolution of your marriage. You tried to keep things together, but you were unable to. If you go this route, you would have to have evidence of your spouse’s transgressions. You may even need to bring them up while in court.
Filing for a no-fault divorce indicates that the divorce was not really anyone’s fault. The common reason for breaking up in this way is “irreconcilable differences.” You and your spouse have done everything that you can to keep your marriage together, but things just did not work out. You do not have to accuse your spouse of any wrongdoing here, even if they did do something to cause the end of your marriage.
Which Grounds for Divorce Can I Use?
If you want to file for a fault-based divorce, there are many reasons that you can use. Commonly cited grounds for divorce include:
- Adultery
- Extreme cruelty
- Habitual drunkenness
- Addiction to narcotics
- Imprisonment or institutionalization
- Deviant sexual behavior
If you want to pursue a no-fault divorce, you can opt for the aforementioned irreconcilable differences. There are some requirements to use this as grounds for divorce though. You or your spouse must have been a resident of New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months before filing for divorce. Your differences need to have lasted six months or more and you have to be sure that you cannot overcome them.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File For Divorce?
Having a lawyer on your side can make the divorce process easier. There is a lot of paperwork to file and deadlines that cannot be missed. An attorney can keep track of everything. They can also help you fight for the best possible outcome when it comes to child custody, alimony, property division, and other parts of your final divorce agreement.
Contact Our Law Firm
When you are ready to get a divorce, know that you do not have to deal with all of that paperwork and stress on your own. Contact Lazor Rantas, PC and learn more about what our experienced attorneys can do to guide you through this process. We are ready to schedule a consultation for you.
