With knowledge comes power. It’s an old saying that is as true for couples facing New Jersey divorce as it is for any other difficult life crossroads.
This month, Glamour published a series of stories on modern divorce, including an A-Z glossary of terms.
The iconic magazine notes divorce rates have declined slightly since peaking in the 1970s and 1980s. However, much of that decline can be attributed to people marrying later in life. Statistics continue to show most struggling couples call it quits after the holidays.
Our Middlesex County divorce blog is also a great source of information, with recent articles on financial planning for divorce, parenting plans, divorce and taxes, and advice on whether to keep the marital home.
If you are contemplating a split, education and preparation are great places to start. The resulting empowerment will likely help you through the holidays, and the advanced planning will help you start building your new life on a strong foundation.
Legal Terms for New Jersey Divorce
Add-on Expenses: In addition to child support, a divorce agreement can stipulate parental responsibility for other expenses, including tuition, summer camp and medical bills. These expenses usually aren’t theoretical and must be carefully tracked in any agreement.
Alimony: This is spousal support. Significant tax changes are coming for the first time since WWII. For more information, read our in-depth report on New Jersey alimony.
Alternative Dispute Resolution: Despite misconceptions that hiring a New Jersey divorce lawyer will create more tension and drama, experienced divorce lawyers typically work to remove emotion. ADR includes things like divorce mediation, which can help a couple reach a resolution without the expense and delay of a contested divorce.
Child Support/Child Custody: These are often the most financially and emotionally contentious issues of any divorce. A soundly-negotiated parenting plan is the best thing you can do for your peace of mind and your child’s well-being in the years to come.
Decree: The court’s final written order of divorce.
Deposition/Discovery: While it’s possible, even likely, that your divorce case will ultimately end short of a trial, there are cases in which depositions (sworn testimony typically given in an office setting) or legal discovery (the process by which your lawyer forces release of documentation, such as tax returns and bank statements) will be necessary.
Equitable Distribution: New Jersey is an equitable distribution state. That means a judge will divide a couple’s assets fairly. Fair does not necessarily mean 50/50. Even in cases where a division appears even, things like child support, alimony, ongoing health insurance commitments, and tax implications can mean you are walking ways from the union with a greater or lesser share.
Interrogatories: Similar to a deposition, these are written questions submitted to the opposing side, resulting in a formal legal documents of sworn fact.
Joint legal/physical custody: Joint legal custody gives both sides the right to make important decisions on a child’s behalf. Joint physical custody means both parents have shared physical custody of a child.
Marital property: Generally means all property acquired during the marriage. Still, the devil is in the details. What about the inheritance your wife got from Uncle Hugh? Or the master’s degree you earned and paid for while going to night school?
While Glamour included these terms and many others, there is no reason to be apprehensive. It is your job to find an experienced Middlesex County divorce lawyer. It is his or her job to help alleviate your anxiety and guide you through the process. We are the legal team for you and will fight to protect you in a divorce.
Call Rozin|Golinder Law, LLC today for a free and confidential consultation.