Egg Harbor Township Divorce Lawyer

There are few events in life that can impact your finances, your family, your future plans, and your day-to-day routine quite like a divorce. That said, with the right legal team in your corner, you can have peace of mind, knowing your case is in good hands. Here at the Law Office of Stephanie Albrecht-Pedrick, LLC, we have been a trusted legal resource for clients facing divorce and other family law matters in Egg Harbor Township for decades, and we’re here to assist you, too. Contact a skilled and experienced Egg Harbor Township divorce lawyer from our firm for an initial consultation today so we can begin building a comprehensive strategy on your behalf.

Divorce Lawyer Serving Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

The Law Office of Stephanie Albrecht-Pedrick, LLC handles a wide range of divorce and family law matters on behalf of our clients in Atlantic County, including the following:

• Uncontested Divorce
• Contested Divorce
• Alimony
• Property Division
• Divorce Mediation
• High Net Worth Divorce
• Business Owner Divorce
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Relocation
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Post-Judgment Modifications
• Domestic Violence
• LGBTQ Family Law
• College Expenses & Divorce
• Emancipation
• Guardianship

What Are the Most Common Reasons Couples in Egg Harbor Township Seek Divorce?

One of the first things many people are surprised to learn is that New Jersey is a no-fault divorce state. Simply put, this means that in many cases, you do not have to prove that your spouse committed adultery, abandoned the marriage, or otherwise engaged in wrongdoing in order to obtain a divorce. Instead, many spouses file for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, provided those differences have existed for at least six months and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation.

That being said, New Jersey law still recognizes fault-based grounds for divorce as well. Some examples of fault grounds can include:

• Adultery
• Desertion
• Extreme cruelty
• Habitual drunkenness or substance abuse
• Institutionalization due to mental illness
• Imprisonment
• Deviant sexual conduct

Though these are the legal grounds for divorce, generally speaking, the reasons people actually seek divorce are often much more personal and practical in nature.

Some of the most common reasons couples in Egg Harbor Township and throughout New Jersey pursue divorce are as follows:

• Financial difficulties and disagreements regarding money
• Infidelity
• Ongoing communication problems
• Substance abuse issues
• Disagreements regarding parenting or child-rearing
• Domestic violence
• Growing apart over time
• Career changes or major life changes that place stress on a marriage

Of course, every marriage is different, and because of this, every divorce is different as well. Some couples are able to agree on virtually every aspect of their divorce, including issues such as child custody, alimony, and property division. Others, for obvious reasons, find themselves unable to reach an agreement, thereby resulting in contested divorce litigation.

Some of the issues most frequently disputed during divorce proceedings include:

• Child custody
• Parenting time
• Child support
• Alimony
• Division of retirement accounts
• Equitable distribution of marital assets
• Responsibility for marital debt
• Ownership interests in businesses

How Long Does a Divorce Take in New Jersey?

This is perhaps one of the most common questions prospective clients ask during an initial consultation, and unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

If you and your spouse are able to agree on all issues associated with your divorce, including property division, child custody, child support, and alimony, your divorce may proceed as an uncontested divorce. Generally speaking, uncontested divorces are resolved much faster than contested divorces and may conclude within several months.

Unfortunately, contested divorces are more common.

If you and your spouse cannot agree on the terms of your divorce, your case will likely proceed through litigation, and the timeline may increase considerably depending upon the complexity of your circumstances.

Some of the factors that can affect the duration of a divorce are as follows:

• Whether children are involved
• Whether one or both spouses own a business
• The amount of marital assets involved
• The complexity of the parties’ finances
• Whether expert witnesses or business valuation experts are necessary
• The willingness of both parties to negotiate
• The court’s schedule and availability

Generally speaking, there are several stages involved in a New Jersey divorce.

These stages often include:

1. Filing a Complaint for Divorce.
2. Serving the divorce papers upon the other spouse.
3. Filing an Answer or Counterclaim.
4. Entering the discovery process.
5. Participating in settlement conferences or mediation.
6. Preparing for trial if settlement negotiations fail.

Traditionally speaking, discovery is often the longest portion of the divorce process. During discovery, both parties exchange financial information, tax returns, retirement account statements, information regarding marital property, business records, and other documentation that may become relevant to the outcome of the divorce.

Fortunately, many divorces settle before trial ever becomes necessary. In fact, many New Jersey courts encourage settlement discussions and mediation whenever possible, as negotiated agreements often save both parties significant time, money, and stress.

General Information About Egg Harbor Township

Individuals involved in divorce and family law matters in Egg Harbor Township will generally have their cases heard through the Family Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey for Atlantic County.

The primary courthouse for divorce and family law matters involving Egg Harbor Township residents is located at:

Atlantic County Civil Courthouse
1201 Bacharach Boulevard
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401

This courthouse handles matters involving:

• Divorce
• Child custody disputes
• Parenting time disputes
• Child support
• Alimony
• Domestic violence matters
• Post-judgment modifications
• Enforcement applications

For example, if you wish to modify child support after losing your job, enforce a parenting time order, seek alimony, or file for divorce, your matter will generally proceed through this courthouse.

Contact a Divorce Lawyer in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

The bottom line is that divorce can impact nearly every aspect of your life, from your finances to your relationship with your children and your plans for the future. If you are considering divorce or have already been served with divorce papers, please do not hesitate to speak with the Law Office of Stephanie Albrecht-Pedrick, LLC to learn more about your options moving forward.

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