Burlington County Divorce Lawyer
When your marriage has reached its end, you find yourself faced with a seemingly endless stream of questions. What will happen to our children? How will assets be divided? Does it matter if we have been together for a short period of time or for decades? At The Law Firm of Michael S. Rothmel, LLC, we have the information you need.
Get The Answers You Need From An Experienced Family Lawyer
Our firm is led by Michael Rothmel, an accomplished divorce attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience. Under his leadership, we have dedicated our practice to ensuring that those facing divorce receive personal attention from a lawyer and the customized representation they deserve.
We offer insightful answers to all the questions you may have regarding your divorce. Located in Mount Holly, right across from the courthouse, we combine our lawyer’s knowledge of New Jersey law and his experience to get you the creative solutions you deserve to resolve the issues affecting your family in your divorce.
Our Divorce Practice
Ours is a comprehensive divorce practice that is designed to address all issues that may arise during the marital dissolution process. These issues include:
- Property division
- Division of retirement accounts
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support and alimony
- Changing beneficiaries on life insurance and other benefits
- Domestic violence/restraining orders
- Divorce for military personnel or their spouse
We remain a resource for our clients even after a divorce is finalized, and routinely help them enforce or modify the terms of divorce decrees.
Our family law services also extend to unmarried couples who face issues of child custody, parenting time and even property division, but are not eligible for the traditional divorce process because they never married.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in New Jersey
The divorce process can raise concerns about timing, eligibility, costs and the level of conflict involved. Here, we have provided answers to some common questions to explain several issues you may need to consider before filing.
How much time does a New Jersey divorce usually take?
There is no single timeline for every divorce. An uncontested case can move faster when you and your spouse agree on property division, support, custody and other terms. By contrast, a contested case often takes longer because the court may need financial records, expert reports, settlement conferences or a trial. Delays can also arise when either spouse fails to provide documents or disputes key facts. Our firm reviews the issues in your case and explains the likely stages so you can pursue an efficient resolution without sacrificing your rights.
Do you or your spouse need to live in New Jersey before filing?
In most cases, either you or your spouse must have lived in New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months before you file the divorce complaint. However, the law provides a different residency rule when adultery forms the basis for the divorce. Meeting the residency requirement gives a New Jersey court authority to hear the case. It does not determine the proper county for filing or how the court will decide your claims. Reviewing these requirements before filing can help you avoid preventable jurisdiction or venue problems.
How do contested and uncontested divorces differ?
You generally have an uncontested divorce when you and your spouse agree on every issue, including property, debts, alimony, child support, custody and parenting time. You must then put those terms in writing and submit the agreement for the court’s approval. When one or more issues remain unresolved, the divorce becomes contested. However, a contested case does not necessarily proceed to trial. Negotiation, mediation and other settlement efforts can help you resolve disagreements before a judge must make the final decisions.
Can one spouse have to cover the other spouse’s attorney fees?
Each spouse commonly pays their own lawyer. However, a New Jersey court has discretion to order one spouse to contribute toward the other spouse’s legal fees. The judge can consider the parties’ finances, their ability to pay, the reasonableness of their positions, fees already incurred, prior awards and whether either spouse acted in good or bad faith. Because the court reviews the specific circumstances of each case, a fee award is not automatic. When the relevant factors support your request, our lawyer may ask the court for a fair contribution toward your legal expenses.
Contact Our Firm
Ready for answers to your divorce-related questions? Contact The Law Firm of Michael S. Rothmel, LLC, at 609-288-2187 to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in Burlington County and throughout South Jersey.