Understanding the Divorce Process
At The Law Office of Jordan B. Rickards, we understand that going through a divorce can be one of the most emotionally trying experiences a person can endure. If you are in the midst of a divorce, or are thinking about filing for divorce, it is important to understand the process and what to expect. In this blog post, we will discuss the four steps of the divorce process to give you a brief overview of what to expect. Read on to learn more, and if you’d like to speak to a divorce attorney, contact our family law office in New Jersey to arrange a consultation with Mr. Rickards to discuss your case.
File Complaint for Divorce
The first step in the divorce process is to file a complaint for divorce with the court. This document starts the divorce proceedings and sets forth your grounds for seeking a divorce. In New Jersey, there are two grounds for divorce: no-fault and fault. No-fault means that you do not have to prove that your spouse did anything wrong in order to get a divorce. On the other hand, fault means that you must prove that your spouse did something wrong, such as commit adultery or abandon the family.
Your Spouse Is Served
Once you have filed the complaint for divorce, your spouse must be “served” with a notice of the divorce action. Your spouse can be served in person, by mail, or by publication if he or she cannot be located.
Work Towards a Settlement
Once your spouse has been served with notice of the divorce, you will begin working towards a settlement. This means that you and your spouse will try to agree on all of the terms of the divorce, including child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, and the division of property. If you are able to reach a settlement, you will sign a divorce agreement that will be submitted to the court for approval.
Send a Case to Trial
If you are unable to reach a settlement with your spouse, the case will go to trial. At trial, a judge will make decisions on all of the disputed issues in your divorce. While most cases do settle before trial, it is important to have an experienced family law attorney by your side who will be prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
Divorce is never easy, but with the help of an experienced divorce attorney, you can make it through smoothly. The Law Office of Jordan B. Rickards is a family law firm that has been helping clients in New Jersey with their divorce cases for more than 14 years. Our experienced legal team can help you with all aspects of your divorce, from filing the initial complaint to representing you in court if your case goes to trial. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you through this difficult time.
