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It can be difficult to come to the realization that your marriage is ending. Many people feel marriage is supposed to last forever. It makes sense to feel betrayed, scared, confused, and angry over this, but you don’t want to make any costly mistakes that could haunt you in the future. There are many different elements to consider here, and a Cedar Grove divorce lawyer can help you come to terms with all of them and move forward.
The legal team at The Montanari Law Group recognizes the difficulties ahead of you. Depending on whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, your case could get extremely complicated. That’s why it’s so important to have a Cedar Grove divorce attorney by your side. It’s vital to have an experienced professional in your corner who has handled divorce cases like yours and has extensive knowledge of New Jersey’s divorce laws, which can sometimes be complex.
There are a lot of reasons why you should hire a divorce lawyer. First and foremost, you want to make sure you have someone overseeing your case who knows what they’re doing. They can provide you with constant updates, help you meet filing deadlines, and prevent you from being taken advantage of. Our founder, Michael J. Montanari, has spent over 20 years helping families through legal situations, including divorce cases. He can bring focus and empathy to your case.
It may be important for you to understand the rates of divorce and marriage in your state, as knowing those statistics may make you feel less alone in your decision to divorce. According to recent data from the CDC, the marriage rate in New Jersey is low at 5.4 per 1,000 people, as of 2023. The divorce rate is also low at just 2.2 per 1,000 people, according to 2025 data from World Population Review. You should consult a lawyer about your own divorce.
Choosing to allow your marriage to end can have serious repercussions for your own mental health. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed about everything you’re going through. You may want to consider reaching out to a local divorce support group like DivorceCare or LZL Coaching. Being able to talk to other people going through their own divorces can be beneficial to your situation. It can be good to have a safe space where you can vent your frustrations and discuss your fears.
Every divorce is different, which means that divorces won’t always involve the same elements. If you don’t have kids, custody won’t be an issue. If you have similar incomes, spousal support might not be considered. Still, it’s important to recognize and understand the most common elements of a divorce, as many of them may show up in your own case. Here are some of the key issues that may arise in your divorce, particularly if your divorce is contested:
In a New Jersey divorce, spouses are entitled to whatever is deemed an equitable split by the court system. New Jersey follows the equitable distribution model in divorce cases. This model divides all marital assets into a fair split while keeping separate property out of the equation. You should keep in mind that a fair split doesn’t mean 50-50 down the middle. The court will take many factors into account to determine the fair split.
In a New Jersey divorce, neither spouse is automatically expected to leave the house. Both spouses have equal rights to the marital home until the divorce is finalized. One spouse may decide to leave the house out of a desire to avoid awkwardness, or the court may order a spouse to leave if there is evidence of domestic violence. Generally, the house is sold, and both spouses receive a split of the proceeds, or one spouse can buy out the other spouse’s equity.
In New Jersey, there is no minimum amount of time you must be married in order to receive alimony in a divorce. However, when determining alimony, the length of the marriage is often a key factor that the courts take into consideration. If the marriage has lasted less than 20 years, the court can award alimony, but it cannot exceed 50% of the marriage’s length. If it lasted longer than 20 years, the court may award indefinite alimony.
Yes, you should definitely hire a divorce lawyer. Divorces, particularly contested ones, can get complicated, emotional, and painful. You don’t want to make the costly mistake of not having legal support, as your spouse will almost certainly have their own support. A good lawyer’s help can often mean the difference between success and failure in a court of law.
At The Montanari Law Group, we can help you work through your divorce in Cedar Grove. Contact us to speak to someone on our team about your case.