Hackensack Divorce Lawyers Serving Bergen County and All of New Jersey
Divorce is one of the most consequential legal matters you will ever face. The decisions made during your case — about your children, your home, your savings, and your future income — will follow you for years. At Russo Petrullo Law Group, LLC, our attorneys bring nearly 50 years of family law experience to every divorce we handle, giving you the edge you deserve from the very first filing to the final judgment.
Whether you have experienced irreconcilable differences with your spouse, have a contested matter, are considering filing for divorce, or have already been served with divorce papers, contact us immediately to schedule your free initial consultation with our highly experienced attorneys.
Why Experience Matters in Your Divorce
Your children and your financial future are far too important to leave to an inexperienced attorney. Many clients come to us to fix the mistakes made earlier in their case by less experienced counsel or filings they submitted on their own — mistakes that are often costly and sometimes impossible to fully undo. A poorly drafted settlement agreement, an improperly filed complaint, a missed deadline, or an asset that was never properly valued can affect your finances for decades. Starting with the right attorney from the beginning of your case can make all the difference in the outcome and can save you money.
Grounds for Divorce in New Jersey
New Jersey is a no-fault divorce state. The most common ground is irreconcilable differences lasting six months or more, which requires no proof of wrongdoing by either spouse. New Jersey also recognizes separation of at least 18 months and fault-based grounds, including adultery, extreme cruelty, desertion, and habitual addiction. In most cases, filing on no-fault grounds is the faster and less contentious path — but where fault matters to your strategy, we will tell you. In most cases, at least one spouse must have been a New Jersey resident for a year before filing. However, there is an exception if you are including an adultery claim in your complaint.
Contested and Uncontested Divorce
If you and your spouse agree on the major issues, we can prepare a comprehensive settlement agreement and once the paperwork is completed, we can move your uncontested divorce through the court efficiently, in most cases in as little as a few months without you ever stepping foot into a courtroom.
If your case is contested, we are highly experienced litigators with nearly 50 years of experience who prepare every matter as if it will be tried — which puts you in the strongest possible negotiating position, whether the case settles or ends up before a judge. It also is a comfort that a highly experienced divorce attorney is protecting your interests.
Equitable Distribution: Dividing What You Built Together
New Jersey divides marital property under the principle of equitable distribution — a fair division, which is not necessarily an equal one. Property acquired during the marriage is generally subject to equitable distribution, while premarital assets, inheritances, and gifts from third parties may be exempt if they were kept separate. Courts weigh factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances and contributions (including as a homemaker), and the standard of living established during the marriage, etc.
We handle the assets that make divorces complicated: the marital home, pensions and retirement accounts (including the QDRO orders needed to divide them), family businesses and professional practices, stock compensation, and hidden or dissipated assets. Getting the valuation right is often where a divorce is won or lost and can also lead to quicker and greater settlements.
What We Handle in Your Divorce
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Equitable distribution of the marital home, retirement accounts, businesses, and other assets and debts
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Child custody and parenting time arrangements
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Child support under the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines
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Alimony and spousal support
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Property settlement agreements
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Post-judgment modifications and enforcement of existing orders
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Reimbursement of your counsel fees and costs
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College Education Costs and more
The New Jersey Divorce Process, Step by Step
A New Jersey divorce begins with the filing of a Complaint for Divorce and service on your spouse. The spouse has 35 days to answer. Once your spouse answers, the court then sets a case management conference where they schedule the parties to exchange financial information through discovery, including the Case Information Statement that drives every support and distribution issue in the case. Most counties then send the parties to Custody Parenting time mediation, a Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel (MESP), where experienced attorneys recommend a resolution, followed by economic mediation with a private or court appointed mediator, if needed. Only a small fraction of cases proceed to trial — but the quality of your settlement depends on the experience and preparation behind it. We are with you at every step of the way, explaining your options in plain language and fighting for the results you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need grounds to file for divorce in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey is a no-fault divorce state. Most divorces are filed on the basis of irreconcilable differences that have lasted at least six months, with no requirement to prove wrongdoing by either spouse.
How long does a divorce take?
An uncontested divorce with a signed settlement agreement can often be finalized in a few months. Contested cases take longer depending on the issues in dispute. We work to resolve your matter as efficiently as your circumstances allow.
How much will my divorce cost?
Cost depends almost entirely on how much is contested. An uncontested divorce is far less expensive than a litigated one — which is one reason we explore settlement and mediation early. We discuss fees openly at your free initial consultation so there are no surprises.
Can I get divorced if my spouse refuses to cooperate?
Yes. Your spouse cannot stop the divorce by ignoring it. If a properly served spouse fails to respond, the case can proceed by default, and the court can grant the divorce and related relief without their participation.
Who keeps the house?
It depends on your circumstances. Common outcomes include one spouse buying out the other's interest, selling the home and dividing the proceeds, or the custodial parent remaining in the home for a period of time. The right answer depends on your equity, income, facts of the case and the agreed upon settlement.
My spouse and I agree on everything. Do I still need a lawyer?
Yes. Even amicable divorces involve binding legal documents and court filings that determine your rights to property, support, and your children. Having an experienced attorney review and prepare your agreement protects you from costly mistakes. Also, it is typically best to have an attorney file the divorce for you which can be very complicated and has numerous requirements that need to be met. If you fail to do it correctly you may have to pay an attorney more to fix your mistake later than you saved by doing it yourself. Also, some mistakes may not be able to be fixed and it could cost you dearly.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
From our first meeting to the final decree, we are there with you every step of the way. Call (888) 332-9900 today or visit our office at 79 Main Street, Suite 2, Hackensack, NJ 07601 to schedule your free initial consultation.
