{"id":374999,"date":"2018-05-14T11:05:40","date_gmt":"2018-05-14T16:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-divorce-forms-and-process.html"},"modified":"2024-03-12T07:52:18","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T12:52:18","slug":"new-jersey-divorce-forms-and-process","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-divorce-forms-and-process.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Divorce Forms and Process"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey Divorce Forms and Process<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When your marriage is ending, it’s important to know what to expect. Like many states, the New Jersey courts use the terms divorce<\/a> and dissolution<\/a> interchangeably. Both terms refer to the legal process for terminating a marriage.<\/p>\r\n

Regardless of what you call it, your divorce papers must include grounds for divorce. Most people cite irreconcilable differences as the basis for their divorce complaint.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey law has legal requirements you must meet to qualify for divorce. For example, you must meet the state residency requirement<\/a>. In New Jersey, you must live in the state for a year before filing unless you are filing on the ground of divorce of adultery.<\/p>\r\n

While there is no mandatory cooling-off period, the courts often won\u2019t finalize your divorce for at least 90 days from the filing date.<\/p>\r\n

Like most other states, you must also serve your spouse with a copy of the complaint for divorce. This is true whether you file a contested or uncontested divorce<\/a>. Your complaint must include your demands regarding alimony<\/a>, child custody<\/a>, and child support<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll briefly overview the New Jersey divorce process<\/a>. We will also describe the various forms you must submit to the family law court in your county.<\/p>\r\n

Where To File Your New Jersey Divorce Case<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In New Jersey, the party that files for the divorce is the "plaintiff.\u201d The other party is the "defendant." If you\u2019re the plaintiff, you must file your complaint for divorce in the county where the events that caused the divorce occurred. This is typically your county of residence.<\/p>\r\n

If you were living out of state when your marriage started to collapse, you can file in the county where you currently live. You must also pay the requisite filing fee of $300. There are additional fees if child custody issues are involved.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey Divorce Forms and Process at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

One of the reasons it can be difficult to get a divorce in New Jersey is that you have to submit many forms to the court clerk. The New Jersey statute governing divorce is NJ Statutes Annotated Section 2A: 34<\/a>. Below, you\u2019ll find a list of the various chapters dealing with divorce.<\/p>\r\n

You\u2019ll also find a summary of New Jersey’s divorce forms you must submit to commence a divorce action in the Garden State.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes and Forms<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Statutes (Laws)<\/b><\/p>\r\n