How Long Does Divorce Take in New Jersey?

If you’re reading this guide, you’ve probably already heard and seen conflicting answers about how long your divorce will take. Maybe your uncle and your golf buddy are both very confident in the accuracy of their estimates, but they don’t know all the factors that can affect the timeline. Whether or not you have children, the conflict level of divorce, and the quantity of your shared assets are all important things to consider. A single factor often alters the length of the divorce significantly. 

With so many variables that affect the length of a divorce, our New Jersey divorce attorneys can’t give you a definitive answer to your question. But don’t stop reading just yet! There are certain things you can consider to come up with a good estimate of how long your divorce will take.

How quickly can you get divorced in New Jersey?

If you’re wondering about the minimum timeframe for getting divorced in New Jersey, you can assume it will take at least a month before everything is finalized. No matter how cooperative you and your spouse are toward each other, you won’t be able to file a petition, officially serve your spouse, and receive a divorce decree in days or weeks. If you do things as quickly as possible and agree to absolutely everything, your divorce lawyers in NJ may be able to help you conclude your case in just a couple months.

Due to widely-spread misinformation, many men and fathers in New Jersey believe they will be subjected to a waiting period before they are allowed to file for divorce. New Jersey divorce laws do not require you to be separated for a certain length of time before you file for divorce. In fact, although a physical separation can be used as the reason for a divorce, it is only one of many options. The most commonly named reason for divorce is “irreconcilable differences,” which doesn’t require you to prove anything or complete a separation period. You simply need to have identified a conflict in your marriage that you will be unable to reconcile. 

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High-asset Divorces in New Jersey

As is the case with any divorce in New Jersey, how long a high-asset divorce will take is primarily determined by the level of cooperation and compromise between spouses. However, in general, high-asset divorces will take longer to resolve. This is because there are more assets to sift through and divide. It may also take a while to address a prenuptial agreement, which is more common in high-asset marriages when one partner enters the relationship with substantial assets.

In addition, high-asset divorces are more likely to be high-conflict. Whether he is a high-earner or a stay-at-home parent, any man has a lot to lose if he doesn’t stick up for himself and assert his entitlement to certain assets. It’s natural that this would create some tension with his spouse who wants some of the same assets.New Jersey divorce attorneys for men who work with clients in high-asset divorces should always want to thoroughly identify and understand their client’s marital assets. This may take longer than the average divorce, but it is necessary to ensure their client receives what he deserves.

Child Custody in New Jersey

Child custody is like many of the other factors in a divorce: the family courts are usually happy to take a backseat and let the parents determine an informal arrangement. Even if there must be an official custody order, the judge is often happy to accept the arrangement the parents propose. If, however, you can’t get on the same page as your co-parent, you will need to spend more time preparing to argue your case and showing up to hearings. The court wants to carefully consider the child’s well-being, so a custody order isn’t a snap judgment. If you are a father who does not have a great relationship with your co-parent, it’s fair to assume your divorce case may not be wrapped up quickly.

How high-conflict divorces are different

It’s rare for any divorce to take longer than a year (with the exception of some celebrity divorces), but that doesn’t mean your ex won’t continue to drag you back to court. If you are divorcing a narcissist or a partner who has a personality disorder, be prepared for a long fight. She won’t give up just because the judge has made a ruling. Your ex may work with a NJ family law attorney to file one or more post-decree motions, a type of motion that can be used to contest a court order. If you have kids together, she has even more options for taking you to court. Your ex may request a custody modification, claiming you are an unfit parent or even turning your kids against you.

Efficient Yet Affordable Divorces  in New Jersey

It’s important not to rush your divorce, but that doesn’t mean it has to drag on. An experienced Divorce Attorney for Men will help you resolve things efficiently and professionally. The Micklin Law Group’s family law New Jersey divorce lawyers are well-versed in all NJ divorce law. We use our decades of experience to help our clients achieve a timely conclusion to their divorce while still ensuring they get what they deserve. If you need to end your marriage quickly, contact our team.

To reach our divorce attorneys for men, call 973-562-0100 or submit your information.