Somerset County Uncontested Divorce Lawyer
Divorce is seldom a simple process, regardless of whether you are in a contested divorce or an uncontested divorce, which is why even if you are in an uncontested divorce, you should strongly consider retaining the services of an experienced Somerset County divorce lawyer. Continue reading and contact Katherine K. Wagner, Attorney at Law, to learn more about uncontested divorce in New Jersey and how our firm can assist you.
What Is An Uncontested Divorce? Ask Our Somerset County Uncontested Divorce Lawyer.
In many cases, situations arise where the parties are not in agreement on fundamental issues regarding their marriage. These divorces are contested divorces. However, if the parties have reached a written agreement on all issues relative to their marriage, the terms can be set forth in an agreement. These issues include:
Such an agreement can be drafted by a Somerville divorce lawyer and signed and notarized by the parties. The case is now an uncontested case.
When Can You File For An Uncontested Divorce?
If neither party has filed a complaint for divorce, either one can do so at this time using the no-fault cause of action of “irreconcilable differences,” providing that at least one of the parties has jurisdiction to file a complaint in New Jersey. One must be a resident of New Jersey for at least one year in order for New Jersey to have jurisdiction over the divorce. Further, the party filing for divorce must have been a resident of the county in which the case is filed at the time of the filing in order for jurisdiction to be complete.
The New Jersey Uncontested Divorce Process
Thus, with a comprehensive, signed agreement and at least one party meeting the jurisdictional requirements, a complaint for divorce is filed. The party filing the complaint is designated the plaintiff, and the other party is the defendant. The defendant will have to be served with a copy of the complaint and will have 35 days in which to file an answer to the complaint.
If the case has already been resolved and is uncontested, normally no answer will be filed. The 35-day time period can be expedited if the defendant signs an Acknowledgment of Service and Consent to Entry of Judgment. Once the 35 days have expired, or the aforesaid acknowledgment has been filed with the court, the court will set the matter down for an uncontested hearing.
Copies of the signed agreement, as well as a proposed judgment of divorce prepared by the attorney, are taken to the hearing. At the hearing, the judge will take testimony from the plaintiff regarding the jurisdictional requirements, as well as the circumstances surrounding the signing of the agreement. Generally, the plaintiff’s attorney will guide the questioning. The judge will not require that the terms of the agreement be read in court, nor will testimony be taken about specific issues in the agreement. The judge merely needs to determine that:
- The agreement was entered into freely and voluntarily
- It was not signed under duress or coercion
- Under all of the circumstances of the marriage, the plaintiff believes the terms to be fair and equitable and that the plaintiff intends to abide by the terms of the agreement.
The judge will then sign a judgment of divorce, attach the agreement and the divorce will then be final.
Contact A Somerset County Uncontested Divorce Lawyer
A qualified and experienced Somerset County uncontested divorce lawyer can make sure everything goes smoothly in your divorce case. There are a lot of factors to consider in a divorce, even if couples think they have everything figured out. Contact Katherine K. Wagner, Attorney at Law, online or call us at 908-526-0099 today to discuss your New Jersey uncontested divorce.