Experienced Family Law Representation When You Need It Most

Somerville Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is an emotionally charged, complex situation that must be handled with the care and meticulous attention of an experienced Somerville divorce lawyer. Divorces often involve difficult issues of both facts and law, including not only factually complicated matters such as forensic accounting and real estate but also more nuanced, emotional questions regarding child custody and familial expectations. If you are facing divorce in New Jersey, you need a family law representative in your corner who not only knows the law and how to win in court, but who also understands your personal stake in the matter. Contact Katherine K. Wagner, Attorney at Law, to learn more about how our firm can assist you.

Somerville Divorce Lawyer On Your Side

With over 25 years of experience handling family law matters, Somerville divorce lawyer Katherine K. Wagner understands these complexities and handles each divorce case with the professionalism needed to provide you with effective, thorough representation, along with the perfect amount of personal attention to ensure your comfort throughout the entire process. Katherine K. Wagner, Attorney at Law, will ensure that your every need is looked after as she fights for your rights.

Our Legal Services

There are numerous aspects of a divorce, and every divorce is different. There are no “cookie-cutter” cases. Whether yours is a contested or uncontested divorce, Ms. Wagner will meet with you and help you discover the aspects that must be handled to have a successful outcome to your divorce. Our dedicated family law team will provide advice and representation across all parts of your New Jersey divorce, including:

Every Situation Is Unique

No two divorces are alike, which is why Ms. Wagner looks upon each case with a keen eye for detail to ensure that nothing is overlooked. Each individual element of your divorce requires special care and attention, and each may carry special importance to you and to your family. Some divorces are more amicable and can be resolved through settlement, while others will remain hotly contested for the entire proceedings.

As an experienced divorce lawyer, Ms. Wagner will work with you to determine your needs and wants and help you to see how they will impact your life in the future. Our Somerset County family law attorney is dedicated to providing individualized service tailored to your circumstances and your family. Because divorce is an emotional undertaking, judgment can get clouded. This is why Ms. Wagner is there to help you see through the emotion and help you make the right choices for you and your family. While we encourage a favorable settlement to more quickly put these matters behind you, we are more than ready to stand by your side and zealously advocate on your behalf through trial and beyond. We will fight for what matters to you most.

Our Support Continues After Your Divorce Is Finalized

Finalizing a divorce is a huge milestone that cannot be overstated. You have taken a significant step toward moving on with your life and pursuing the future that you desire. However, your relationship with your former spouse may not entirely end after the divorce. There are issues that may arise months or years down the line that require care and diligence to quickly and efficiently resolve.

Katherine K. Wagner, Attorney at Law, is prepared to help you quickly, efficiently, and effectively resolve any continuing family law issues that come up after your divorce, such as modification of child custody or parenting time, parental relocation, issues regarding retirement assets, or changes to alimony and child support.

New Jersey Divorce FAQs

Somerset County family law attorney Katherine K. Wagner has over two decades of experience representing and advising clients across all aspects of divorce. While each case is specific and unique, New Jersey divorce cases have many things in common. Please find below answers to some of the more common questions Ms. Wagner receives from New Jersey clients facing divorce.

How much does a divorce cost?

At a minimum, you will need to pay the New Jersey court $300 to file a divorce complaint. Additional motions cost $30 each. If you need to retain a mediator, hire experts, or collect and produce documentary evidence, the costs will increase. Generally, the shorter the marriage and the fewer assets involved, the cheaper the divorce. The longer the marriage, the more assets involved, and if children are involved, the more expensive the divorce will be.

As for the costs of an attorney, you should discuss the fee structure with your lawyer in your initial meeting. Some lawyers charge by the hour, some by a flat rate depending on the divorce, and some may have other arrangements. Make sure you are comfortable with the rate before you agree to representation.

With all associated costs and fees, researchers recently estimated that the average New Jersey divorce typically costs between $5,000 and $34,000, averaging around $15,600.

How long do divorces take?

The typical divorce should not take more than a year from the time you file your complaint to the date the final judgment of divorce is issued. However, if you and your spouse can agree on all of the issues relating to divorce, the process can be much shorter. In contrast, if you have complicated financial and custodial issues, and if you and your spouse have many points of disagreement, the process can take even longer. If you have to collect vast amounts of evidence, retain experts, argue motions, and go to trial, in the worst instance, a divorce could take several years.

Do I need an attorney?

If you had a very short marriage with limited assets and no children, and you and your spouse agree on all aspects of the divorce, then you may not need a lawyer. You can represent yourself.

If there are any points of contention, if you have children, or if you have any significant assets that may become part of the divorce, it is strongly advised to have legal representation. Divorces are complicated, difficult, and emotionally charged, and they involve complex issues of finance, facts, and law. It helps to have a cool-minded, neutral expert in your corner fighting for your rights with full knowledge of how New Jersey divorces operate.

How do I start divorce proceedings?

The legal divorce process begins when you file a complaint for divorce, which is a legal action, with the New Jersey court. You must then “serve” the divorce complaint and summons on your spouse. You can ask your spouse to accept service (by signing a form acknowledging service) or, if they refuse, you can ask a third party to literally hand the papers to your spouse or deliver them to your spouse’s home. Your divorce attorney will handle the filing and service matters, as well as other court procedures.

What is the difference between divorce and annulment?

Divorce is the standard way to legally end a marriage in New Jersey. Annulment is reserved for the rare circumstances where the marriage was either void or voidable from the beginning. After an annulment, it will be as if the marriage never existed. Circumstances that may give rise to annulment include if one party was already married, the marriage involved incest, one party was under 18 years old, or the marriage was entered into under fraud or duress.

Contact A Somerville Divorce Lawyer Today

If you are facing divorce in New Jersey, reach out to a dedicated, compassionate family law attorney you can trust. Somerville divorce lawyer Katherine K. Wagner will provide you with the advice and representation you need, combined with the emotional support necessary to get through this difficult process. In the end, you will be stronger, happier, and ready to move on to a fuller and brighter future. Our firm serves clients across central New Jersey, including the local communities of Bridgewater, Clinton, Franklin Township, Hillsborough, Bernards Township, Flemington, New Brunswick, Montgomery, North Plainfield, and Bound Brook. Contact Katherine K. Wagner, Attorney at Law, at 908-526-0099 today to discuss your divorce.

Somerville Divorce Lawyer