Basic Divorce Terms You Should Know & Understand

Divorce is a complicated process on multiple levels, and, unfortunately, it’s difficult to keep a clear head when you are facing the potential of divorce or are in the midst of one. Understanding some of the most important divorce terms and knowing how divorces tend to proceed can ease some of the stress you feel as you go through the process. Below, our legal team has outlined some of the most important divorce terms and provided a basic explanation of what they mean. If you’re about to get divorced, read on and contact a Bergen County divorce lawyer from our firm who truly cares about your future.

Key Divorce Terms

Just some of the most important terms surrounding divorce in New Jersey that you should familiarize yourself with are as follows:

  • Fault-Based Divorce vs. “No-Fault Divorce”: If you’re in a litigated divorce, you can choose to cite specific fault grounds, such as adultery, abandonment, extreme cruelty, or incarceration, to name a few. In most cases, however, it’s best to file a no-fault divorce, wherein you will either cite irreconcilable differences or separation of at least 18 months. Even if you don’t agree on your divorce terms, it’s typically best to file a no-fault divorce.
  • Property Distribution: When couples without prenuptial or postnuptial agreements get divorced, their assets will most likely be distributed in a manner the court deems fair and equitable. This is known as “Equitable Distribution”. In most cases, this is not a 50/50 split down the middle, so it’s critical that you have a competent divorce attorney in your corner to ensure you receive your equitable share of the assets in your marriage.
  • Child Custody: No parent wants to lose custody of their child, though typically, unless parents can come up with a parenting plan on their own, a judge will determine both the child custody arrangement and parenting time schedule, and more often than not, one parent will get primary physical custody of the child.
  • Child Support: If you are the custodial parent, you’re most likely entitled to child support. This can be used to help pay for clothes, food, and other necessities for your child. Child support is to be applied solely for the maintenance and expenses of the children.
  • Alimony: Often, the financially dependent spouse will receive alimony after a divorce. Alimony is not intended to be permanent in most cases. Instead, it’s supposed to help a financially dependent spouse retain a standard of living similar to that enjoyed during their marriage until they can financially support themselves, remarry, or otherwise no longer need financial assistance.

For any further questions about the divorce process, what it entails, or how our Bergen County family lawyers can help you through it, please don’t hesitate to give us a call today.

Contact our experienced New Jersey firm

We understand how confusing certain legal issues can be, which is why we are dedicated to providing individuals with the compassionate and knowledgeable legal representation they deserve. Aronsohn, Weiner, Salerno & Kaufman has helped clients with various difficult legal challenges for over 40 years. We know we have the experience needed to do the same for you. For experienced legal counsel regarding family law, litigation, business law, real estate, and criminal law, you know where to turn–contact Aronsohn, Weiner, Salerno & Kaufman today to schedule a consultation.