The old song, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” isn’t too far from the truth. When it comes to divorce, there are things to do and things not to do to try to make the process as painless as possible. When New Jersey couples focus on those things that could make divorce easier, they may be less stressed out as they work toward becoming single individuals again.
One of the first and most important tasks for people considering divorce is to become educated on what it involves. Some thought should be given to important issues like child custody and support. Speaking to a lawyer about the legalities of divorce and to a financial planner to ensure the financial picture is one each person can live with is also crucial. Each person should also have copies of all important records like tax returns, wills, financial statements, property deeds, car registrations and the like.
Besides taking inventory of all assets, a couple should also have a firm grasp on their debts since both are likely to be responsible for them if incurred during the marriage. Getting a credit report might help with this. Also, since New Jersey is an equitable distribution state, marital property is not automatically split 50-50, so marital assets would be divided in a manner that is fair but not necessarily equal.
It is important for New Jersey couples who have decided to divorce to get independent legal advice. Each person may have questions regarding the personal circumstances of their marriage and of their divorce. It’s wise for each person to have his or her lawyer clarify any issues that may seem confusing and provide ongoing support throughout the proceedings.