The words “getting a divorce” cover only the tip of the iceberg of legal requirements and issues that follow such a dissolution. In New Jersey, various guidelines apply to those filing for divorce, including the duration of New Jersey residency, deadlines for paperwork and other legal steps and court orders.
Med Law Plus covers vital information on divorce, as well as state-specific rules spouses must adhere to upon beginning the divorce process. First, Med Law notes that individuals must have lived in New Jersey for at least one year prior to filing for divorce. An exception to this rule is if the divorce arises out of adultery. In such cases, one spouse must provide an affidavit attesting that at least one spouse is a New Jersey resident at the time of the divorce. New Jersey offers both no-fault and fault divorces; there are additional guidelines for each type. The following grounds constitute for fault divorces:
- Adultery
- Extreme mental or physical cruelty
- Imprisonment
- Chemical dependency
According to the Daily Record, a division of the USA Today Network, collaborate divorce is a relatively new process that involves more considerate approaches to divorce. The act, entitled The New Jersey Family Collaborative Law Act, makes divorces speedier and less costly. Although this act has been in effect for over a decade, the passage of the law in 2015 allow for a fourth option for divorce in New Jersey. Updated options are to litigate, mediate, arbitrate or collaborate in a divorce process. Such changes to the ways the state handles the dissolution of marriage may result in a more positive outlook toward divorce as a whole.
