Legal Grounds for Divorce in New Jersey
The following are acceptable legal grounds for divorce in New Jersey:
- Adultery
- Desertion for over a year
- Extreme cruelty
- Living separately and apart for at least 18 months prior to filing
- Habitual intoxication – alcohol or drugs – for at least 12 months prior to filing
- Institutionalization for mental insanity
- Imprisonment
- Deviant sexual conduct
New Jersey Legal Separation Regulations
Legal separation in New Jersey is also referred to as divorce from bed and board. Legal separation may be granted on the same grounds as a divorce from matrimony.
Property Distribution
New Jersey is an equitable distribution state, meaning that marital property will be divided in an equitable, but not necessarily equal, fashion. Several factors will be taken into account, including the duration of the marriage, income of each party, and the health of each spouse.
Alimony
Spousal support may be granted for either divorce from matrimony, divorce from bed and board or an annulment. There are several different types of spousal support given to parties in the state, including rehabilitative alimony, limited duration alimony or reimbursement alimony. Either party may be awarded alimony in the state, depending on several factors, including the duration of the marriage and the actual need and ability of parties to pay.
Hiring a Divorce Attorney in New Jersey
It is not always easy to file for divorce, even if spouses came to the decision mutually. At any moment, arguments can break out over property or alimony, prolonging proceedings for months on end. In order to make sure your rights are protected, turn to a leading divorce lawyer in New Jersey to handle your case and ensure it resolves as quickly and favorably as possible.
