a small firm that packs a big punch
- Home
- Attorneys
- Articles
- Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Criminal Defense
- Employment Law
- Personal Injury
- Workers’ Compensation
- Real Estate
- Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Blog
- Courts We Serve
- Contact
- Toggle website search
No one enters a marriage with the thought that one day, they will need to obtain a legal divorce. However, even with the greatest of intentions, these legal cases are filed every day across the state of New Jersey. For many couples, these cases might be the first time they are required to enter the Bergen County Justice Center on Main Street in Hackensack. This can be an intimidating experience, and having a Bergen County divorce lawyer on your side is vital.
At The Montanari Law Group, our Bergen County family lawyers have extensive experience assisting clients through their Bergen County Divorce. Whether you are a resident of Hackensack, Teaneck, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Englewood, Bergenfield, Westwood, Ridgewood, Paramus, Mahwah, or Cliffside, we are here to help. The emotional and financial toll of a divorce can be massive, and we are here to act as your guide and champion as we navigate this legal process together.
According to data collected by the CDC, the state of New Jersey has a divorce rate of around 2.3 per 1,000 residents. Whether you are a couple living on Ridgewood’s Godwin Avenue or a family residing in the quiet residential area stretching along Paramus’ Garden State Plaza, our attorneys can assist you with your divorce case.
New Jersey operates as a no-fault divorce state, meaning that you are allowed to file for a divorce on simple grounds such as irreconcilable differences or if you have experienced a separation that has lasted at least 18 months. However, you can still file for a divorce on the grounds of fault, including the following reasons:
In Bergen County, there are two main kinds of divorce that can be sought: contested or uncontested. In an uncontested divorce, the parties involved can reach agreements regarding various topics of their divorce. However, in a contested divorce, the couple is unable to reach agreements, and they need to look to the authority of a Bergen County judge to make certain crucial decisions for them.
Otherwise known as spousal support or spousal maintenance, alimony is a kind of financial support paid from one spouse—typically the higher-earning spouse—to the other. The purpose of alimony payments is to ensure that both spouses can maintain the standard of living that they enjoyed during their marriage. Alimony awards are typically based on the length of the marriage and the age, health, and earning ability of the spouses.
When parents seek a divorce, one of the most contentious topics that can arise is that of child support. Typically, the parent with higher amounts of custodial time can seek these payments to assist in paying for the basic needs of the child, such as food, clothing, or shelter. In New Jersey, both parents are considered financially responsible for their child, even if the child primarily resides with one parent. Reach out to a Bergen County child support lawyer for more info.
When minor children are shared between a divorcing couple, that couple will need to reach an agreement regarding the custody of their children. When they cannot reach this agreement themselves, a judge will rule on an arrangement that they believe to be in the best interest of the child. They will base this decision on various factors, such as the relationship of the child with their parents and the needs of the child. Contact a Bergen County child custody lawyer to learn more.
New Jersey adheres to the property design laws of equitable distribution. This means that while there will be a fair distribution of marital assets between the divorcing couple, the split will not necessarily be perfectly equal. These laws only apply to marital property, which is property that was obtained during the marriage by either or both spouses. Marital property may include real estate, bank accounts, and vehicles.
If you are facing a divorce in Bergen County or are considering filing for one, you deserve a Bergen County divorce attorney who has the experience, determination, and dedication to ensure that you are treated with compassion and who will fight for what you deserve. At The Montanari Law Group, our attorneys are here to do just that. Contact our Little Falls office today to schedule your free consultation and discuss your divorce case, whatever it might entail.
“Michael Montanari was a great lawyer to represent my case and I’m grateful I found him through reviews like these. He’s extremely helpful and knowledgable and it was a pleasure having him represent my case and win. Highly recommend.” – Juan Alvarez
“Michael is knowledgeable, helpful, proactive, and an expert in his field. I had a very specific situation that he was able to expertly navigate and guide me through for the best possible result. I received exactly the outcome I was hoping for and it’s all thanks to the careful guidance and support of Michael and his team. Thank you again Michael!” – Aidan McGourty
“Jayna Patel was a pleasure to work with. Knowing how knowledgeable and experienced she was put me at ease during a very challenging time. She made the process easy and stress free. I would recommend her services to anyone in need of a family lawyer.” – Leyla
Read more of our Google reviews.