The decision to divorce someone is not easy to make. But when the trauma of staying in a marriage becomes intolerable, divorce may be your best option. Experienced divorce lawyers in Hackensack and surrounding communities can help minimize this trauma and walk you through what may be a highly charged and emotional period in your life. A good divorce lawyer can separate the emotional aspects of a relationship from the practical aspects of a relationship and protect your interests to the highest degree possible. To file for divorce, there must be a clear and accepted reason for the dissolution of a marriage. In New Jersey, the state recognizes nine acceptable reasons.
Separation – When there is no agreed upon chance of reconciliation and you can prove you have lived apart from your spouse for at least 18 months, you can file for divorce based on the grounds of separation.
Irreconcilable Differences – If waiting 18 months is not acceptable, and spouses agree there is no hope of salvaging a marriage, then they may file for a divorce based on irreconcilable differences. The parties must agree that the marriage has suffered for at least six months and that there is no hope of saving the marriage.
Adultery – If your spouse has cheated on you or you are able to prove that he/she had the opportunity and the desire to cheat on you, then you can file for divorce based on the grounds of adultery.
Abandonment – If your spouse left your home for 12 months or more, you can file for divorce based on grounds of abandonment.
Addiction – If your spouse has a drug or alcohol problem, you can claim addiction as grounds for divorce. You must show a pattern of addiction for 12 months or more to be able to file for divorce based on this reason.
Deviant Sexual Conduct – Although the definition of this instance is not clearly defined, if you believe you have been the victim of deviant sexual conduct, you may file for divorce on these grounds.
Extreme Cruelty – If you have been physically or mentally abused, making it impossible to live with your spouse, you may file for divorce based on the grounds of extreme cruelty.
Imprisonment – If your spouse was sentenced to jail for at least 18 months after your were married or if your spouse was released after a shorter sentence but did not live with you for a combined minimum of 18 months, then you can file for divorce based on imprisonment.
Institutionalization – If your spouse has been institutionalized for at least 24 months due to mental illness after the start of your marriage, then you can file for divorce based on the grounds of institutionalization.
Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq is a full service New Jersey law firm with offices in Elizabeth, Freehold, Hackensack, Newark, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Plainfield and Trenton.
