Salem Divorce Attorneys
Our Experienced and Compassionate Salem Divorce Attorneys Can Help You Move On
Getting divorced is a legal process that requires a clear understanding of New Jersey law. From dividing your marital assets to deciding where your children will spend the holidays, all aspects of the process require knowledge of the rules and limitations that apply. Our Salem divorce attorneys can help. We have extensive experience guiding spouses through the divorce process, and we can use our experience to help you make informed and confident decisions every step of the way.
While there are many aspects to the divorce process, the process doesn’t have to be complicated. With a plan in place and a focus on achieving an amicable resolution that works for both spouses, it will be possible to complete the process efficiently (and without going to court) in most cases. At Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.C., we focus on helping our clients end their marriages without the need to go to court whenever possible. If you are contemplating a divorce, we encourage you to speak with one of our Salem divorce attorneys to learn more.
Navigating the Divorce Process in Salem, NJ
For most couples, navigating the divorce process will involve addressing five key issues. But, even if your divorce doesn’t involve one (or more) of these issues, it will still be extremely important to ensure that you are making sound decisions with your long-term best interests in mind. Not only can overlooking property, financial, or child-related considerations lead to complications in the future, but making unsound decisions can leave you wishing that you had done more during the process.
The five key issues involved in most divorces are:
- Property Division – New Jersey has adopted the principle of “equitable distribution” to govern the division of couples’ marital property during the divorce process. “Equitable” does not necessarily mean “equal,” and various factors can warrant an unequal distribution of marital property under New Jersey law. It is important to be clear that this applies to “marital” property only—if either spouse has “separate” property (which is typically the case), these separate assets will not be subject to distribution during their divorce.
- Debt Division – Divorcing spouses must also divide their marital debts equitably under New Jersey law. Common marital debts include mortgages, car loans, credit card debt, and student loans. In many cases, spouses will agree that the spouse who receives an encumbered asset (i.e., the family home) will also take over sole responsibility for the associated debt (i.e., the mortgage for the home), but there are other possibilities as well.
- Spousal Support – Spousal support is not mandatory in New Jersey. However, an award of spousal support will still be appropriate in many circumstances. Divorcing spouses have a substantial amount of leeway to craft a spousal support award that works for both of them, with the primary goal being to ensure that each spouse is able to maintain the standard of living they enjoyed during their marriage.
- Child Support – In the vast majority of cases, divorcing parents will need to calculate child support according to New Jersey’s Child Support Guidelines. However, this is often easier said than done, and the Guidelines won’t necessarily apply in all scenarios. If you need to address child support during your divorce, our Salem divorce attorneys can guide you step-by-step through the process of determining how much you or your spouse owes.
- Child Custody – If you have minor children from your marriage, you will also need to come up with a custody plan (or parenting time plan) during the divorce process. Under New Jersey law, all parenting time plans must reflect the best interests of the children involved. Divorcing parents can serve their children’s best interests in various ways, and here, too, our Salem divorce attorneys can assist with crafting a plan that complies with the law while also protecting your rights to the fullest extent possible.
While addressing all of these issues can seem overwhelming initially, we work hard to make the process as simple and straightforward for our clients as possible. We will walk you through the process during your initial consultation, and if you choose our firm to handle your divorce, we will work with you to make sure you are fully ready to move forward. We will help you weigh all of your options, identify your priorities, consider your spouse’s priorities, and develop an organized plan for finalizing your divorce without unnecessary conflicts or compromises.
Options for Resolving Divorce Conflicts Without Going to Court in Salem
Due to the significant and long-term implications of the divorce process, it is not unusual for divorcing spouses to have points of disagreement—even when they initially believe they are on the same page. When disagreements arise, going to court is the last possible resort. In most cases, we can help our clients resolve even highly contentious disagreements through means including:
- Collaborative Divorce – Collaborative divorce is a unique process that involves a commitment not to go to court. It works best in complex divorces that involve a wide range of property, financial, and child-related issues.
- Divorce Mediation – Mediation is a form of guided dispute resolution that does not involve having someone else make a decision on your behalf. Instead, the goal of mediation is to help each spouse understand the other’s point of view and find a way to come to terms.
These are just examples, and they are not necessary in all (or even most) cases. Our Salem divorce attorneys can explain everything you need to know, and we can help ensure your divorce goes as smoothly as possible.
Contact the Salem Divorce Attorneys at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.
If you would like to speak with one of our Salem divorce attorneys, we invite you to contact us. To schedule a confidential initial consultation at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., please call 877-435-6371 or get in touch online today.
