Florham Park New Jersey Family Law Blog

It may come as no surprise that going through the end of a marriage can be a stressful and intimidating process. If you and your spouse decide to part ways, you might be wondering how the outcome of your divorce will affect your life and what steps you can take to protect your future.

While the emotional sting of a similar life change may ease with time, the possible financial repercussions of divorce could have a lingering impact. As such, finding ways to keep monetary hardships at bay could be vital to safeguarding your future as you prepare to open a new chapter in life.

A job loss is one of the most stressful events that people can experience. Often, people lose their jobs through no fault of their own. It can be devastating nonetheless -- emotionally and financially.

Unless you're getting a generous severance package, you're going to start feeling that financial pain almost immediately. If you're paying child and/or spousal support, it's essential to take some action right away so that you aren't in violation of the support agreement or court order.

When New Jersey couples decide to end their marriage and seek a divorce, there are different paths they might take. While each divorce case is unique, in the end, couples will either reach a settlement during the process or end up going to trial.

Deciding to go to trial to finalize a divorce involves several factors that must be considered. First, there is the consideration of time since a process involving a trial can last months longer than a divorce that ends with a settlement reached by both parties. Money is another concern as going to court involves additional fees for court appearances, filing costs and lawyer costs. Each court appearance, for example, will mean spending additional time with lawyers, and this time will incur a cost. Settling a divorce in court can also have a psychological cost because it can create added stress during an already tense period. Going to court often means having to meet with the lawyers at a moment's notice when preparing for appearances, taking time off work to attend those appearances and leaving the results up to the court, therefore losing even more control over the outcome.

For New Jersey couples who are getting a divorce, there is often acrimony. Lingering issues between the spouses can make the process more difficult than it needs to be. Despite the temptation to make negative comments to and about the spouse during divorce, there are several reasons why this should be avoided.

Although making pointed statements might feel like an emotional release, there are benefits to not doing so. The end of a marriage is inherently stressful. These stressors can be reduced if the parties are agreeable to negotiation. Having courtesy, respect and understanding can be a solid foundation to a successful resolution. Property division can be contentious, and starting fights at inopportune times such as when the other person is at work will worsen tensions. Any public squabble will complicate the case and could also be used in court proceedings.