Hudson County Attorney

Experienced Divorce Lawyer Serving Hudson County, NJ

At Lori Cieckiewicz, ESQ, our experienced Jersey City divorce lawyer represent clients going through a divorce to help them mend family relationships and move forward with their lives. If you are considering divorce or are going through it, contact our firm. Our legal team offers solid advice and guidance to help you resolve issues and get through the process with as little stress and damage as possible.

Choosing the Right Divorce Approach: Mediation, Arbitration, or Court?

There are several options for couples to obtain a divorce. Mediation is required in New Jersey, so couples must attempt to resolve issues through mediation when it is possible. The collaborative law approach uses communication and cooperation to reach agreements regarding property division, child custody, and other issues. These methods are generally less stressful, less time consuming, and more cost-effective for our clients.

We help clients resolve issues, such as:

• Property division
• Debt division
• Alimony
• Child custody and visitation
• Palimony
• Reconciliation Agreements
• Child support

Unfortunately, mediation and collaboration are not possible in every situation. These methods are often not the best option in contested divorces or situations when divorcing spouses cannot reach an agreement or communicate and litigation is necessary.

We stand ready to take your case to trial. We properly prepare your case and give you reliable advice about what is most likely to happen in court.

Contact our New Jersey divorce law firm today at (201) 561-8441 to arrange a consultation. Contact us online to speak with an experienced Jersey city divorce lawyer.

In New Jersey, there are two classifications of the grounds for divorce: no-fault divorce grounds and fault divorce grounds.

• No-Fault Divorce in NJ – No grounds are needed to file for divorce. Both parties have simply agreed that the marriage is irreparable and neither party is accepting or placing blame.
• Fault-Based Divorce in NJ – Fault is not required in New Jersey, but spouses still have the option to file for divorce based on a pre-determined list of grounds for a divorce.

For fault-based divorce in New Jersey, the grounds include:

• Adultery
• Atypical sexual behavior
• Desertion
• Habitual drunkenness or drug use
• Extreme cruelty, either physically or mentally
• Imprisonment
• Institutionalism
• Irreconcilable differences that have existed for six months or more

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing for Divorce in New Jersey

First, you should consult an attorney from our firm if your situation qualifies for a no-fault or fault divorce.

As soon as we have determined the grounds for divorce or have chosen a no-fault divorce, we proceed to file the necessary documents such as:

• File a Complaint for Divorce
• Serve Divorce Summons
• Certification of Insurance Coverage
• Family Part Case Information Statement
• Confidential Litigation Information Sheet
• Certification of Notification of Complementary Dispute Resolution

We then submit this forms to the New Jersey County Clerk’s Office in your county. If you wish to serve the Complaint and Divorce Summons to your spouse, then you are free to do so. However, you may also opt to have a third party serve the papers to your spouse. As soon as your spouse signed all the necessary document, we then proceed to the negotiation of terms and the discovery phase.

Responding to Divorce Papers: Your Next Steps

If you have been served divorce papers by your spouse, you have 35 days to respond. Do not ignore these served as a default can be entered against you. During this time, we recommend that you seek our help to understand why you are being served divorce papers and what your next steps are.

The Importance of Legal Representation in New Jersey Divorce

Having a skilled attorney on your side increases your chance of being able to advocate your best interests and protect your children and assets. We will also help you understand your rights so you would have a better idea on what to negotiate or not.

Alternative Divorce Solutions: Avoiding Court Involvement

At Lori Cieckiewicz, ESQ, we have a court-qualified family law mediator, arbitrator and a collaborative law attorney who can help you and your spouse settle all important matters without the need for a judge to decide. However, this will only be successful as long as both parties are willing to work with each other.

Timeline for Finalizing Divorce in New Jersey

The length of a divorce process depends on the specific situation you are in. If you filed for uncontested divorce and you and your spouse happen to agree on the settlement quickly, then your divorce should be finalized in about three to six months. If there are complexities surrounding your case, it can take longer, although New Jersey courts have mandated that no divorce should take longer than 12 months. We will work as diligently as possible to move your matter through to the end.

Personalized Divorce Guidance and Support in Hudson County

At Lori Cieckiewicz, ESQ, we will stand by you and guide you through the entire process. We offer personalized attention and straightforward advice to help you make important decisions that will impact your life and the lives of your children in the future.