In New Jersey, the dissolution of marriage typically starts from $1,500 and can cost well over $5,000. In this article, we will share basic tips on how to significantly reduce the cost of divorce and get a final decree faster.
#1 Get Informed
Before filing for a divorce, it is essential to study all the available information. The more you know, the more conscious your actions will be. You can avoid unnecessary steps, thereby saving time and money.
Knowing the rules for divorce will help you end your marriage faster. New Jersey has a waiting period of 12 months for all couples wishing to dissolve a marriage. It means at least one spouse must live in the state for one continuous year before a divorce can be granted.
The spouses have to provide the court with grounds for divorce. New Jersey has 2 main types: fault and no-fault.
Fault grounds include adultery, extreme cruelty, institutionalization, and incarceration for an extended period. They require the petitioner to prove the respondent’s guilt before the court. No-fault grounds suggest that ‘irreconcilable differences’ have arisen between the spouses that leave no chance for the marriage to exist. When it’s a no-fault divorce, the plaintiff does not need to prove the respondent’s guilt in court.
The divorce process begins with the submission of documents to the court. Primary forms in New Jersey include:
- Complaint for Divorce
- Certification Verification and Non-collusion
- Certification of No Pending Proceedings
- Certification of Insurance Coverage
- Certification of Self-represented Litigant and Dispute Resolution Alternatives
- Certification Regarding Redaction of Personal Identifiers
You may need to prepare additional divorce papers, depending on the specifics of your case.
#2 Know Your Finances
New Jersey is an equitable distribution state. This means that all assets gained during marriage, including real estate, savings accounts, and debts, will be divided fairly in the divorce proceeding. You will have to fill out a form about your and your spouse’s financial condition before the court makes a final decision.
Ensure you are aware of all the assets and liabilities that you and your spouse acquired in marriage. Otherwise, your lawyer will have to find it out, which will take additional time and money. Also, make a budget and write down all your expenses. It is easy to miss something or overpay during a divorce.
# 3 Make the Divorce Uncontested
When getting a divorce, the spouses will have to resolve several matters: how to share child custody, property division, the amount and procedure for paying alimony (spousal support), etc. If the couple cannot compromise on at least one of the issues, the divorce will be contested. In this case, the judge decides on all disputes. This increases the duration and cost of the divorce since both spouses will need to have their interests protected by lawyers.
Those couples who cooperate and can resolve their disputes outside the court are eligible for an uncontested divorce. This is a faster and cheaper option since spouses can even cope without an attorney. On average, an uncontested divorce in New Jersey takes about 6-8 weeks, while a contested divorce can take 6 months or more.
#4 Try Mediation
Even if you have some controversial issues, you can still qualify for an uncontested divorce. If the spouses are willing to cooperate but cannot compromise on their own, they can use the services of a divorce mediator.
These are specialists who provide professional assistance to help the couple draw up a Settlement Agreement. At the same time, in the process of discussions, the mediators do not take a side. Their activity is neutral and objective.
Such services usually cost less than consulting a lawyer. However, the spouses are not prohibited from hiring attorneys to protect their interests.
#5 Don’t Turn Your Lawer into a Therapist
One of the most common mistakes is when a client starts complaining to their lawyer about their wife or husband. Attorneys charge an hourly fee for their services. The more time lawyers spend on your case, the higher the cost of a divorce will be.
So try to be as focused as possible. You should not give a lawyer information that does not affect the legal aspects of your termination. For example, if your spouse cheated on you, you shouldn’t take the time to tell an attorney how you were treated unfairly or what you feel. The lawyer deals only with legal issues and cannot provide psychological support to clients.
#6 Try DIY Divorce
When it comes to amicable dissolution, spouses can turn it into a do-it-yourself divorce. Its essence is that the plaintiff fills in all the necessary forms and submits them to the court independently, without hiring a lawyer. This type of termination is the cheapest since the plaintiff will have to pay only the filing costs with the court.
#7 Consider Online Divorce
If you have decided in favor of a DIY divorce, there is good news. Many spouses choose to use online divorce services, also called “divorce over the internet.” These are web companies that prepare documents following the law and the circumstances of the couple. It is an entirely legal service that costs significantly less than using a lawyer.
When the plaintiff fills out the papers themselves, there is a risk of making mistakes, especially if they have never done it before. Courts have specific requirements. Incorrectly completed documents will not be accepted by the court, which means that the plaintiff will have to start all over again, increasing the duration of the divorce.
Web divorce companies provide high-quality, completing paperwork in just 2 business days. It’s helpful and affordable. In addition, they also send clear instructions for filing the documents with the court. It allows the client to quickly and inexpensively organize their divorce without the help of lawyers.
#8 Waive Courts Fees
On average, divorce filing fees in New Jersey are $300. But if the plaintiff has a low income, they can ask the court to remove this monetary burden by completing the Fee Waiver form. You can find out more about the conditions for waiving court fees on the New Jersey Courts website.
