Rumson Family Law

Rumson is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey that was formed in 1907. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Rumson is known for many old estates that were built as summer homes for wealthy residents. Its population stood at slightly over 7,000 people as of 2010. For many families, divorce is a difficult experience. A family law attorney, however, can help smooth the process and protect your interests. At Goldstein Law Group, our Rumson family law attorneys are knowledgeable in all of the issues that may arise during a divorce, including property division, alimony, child custody, and child support.

In New Jersey, married partners can seek either a "no-fault" or a fault-based divorce. No-fault divorces are based on irreconcilable differences. In this type of divorce, spouses do not have to make public any behavior that led to ending the marriage, which can help ease the impact of divorce on children. To file for a no-fault divorce, you will need to show that you or your spouse lived in New Jersey for the 12 months prior to filing for divorce, you have experienced irreconcilable differences for at least six months that caused your marriage to break down, and there is no reasonable chance of reconciling with your spouse.

In contrast, a fault-based divorce requires that one spouse proves the other spouse's bad behavior or misconduct caused the divorce. Grounds for a fault-based divorce include adultery, abandonment, physical or mental abuse, drug or alcohol abuse that lasts 12 months or more, institutionalization for mental illness during the two years prior to filing for divorce, imprisonment for 18 months or more after marriage in some situations, and deviant nonconsensual sexual conduct.

In New Jersey, judges do not usually consider fault for the purposes of property division, unless the fault has to do with adultery and the spouse spent marital assets on the affair. However, fault often does affect alimony and child custody determinations, as a family law lawyer in Rumson can explain. If a spouse with a history of domestic violence requests alimony, for example, the judge may give a lesser amount to that partner based on the abuse.

Once the initial complaint and answer are filed, both parties have to produce all of their financial documents, including all assets and liabilities. In general, it is wise for couples to try to settle their differences before litigating in court. All cases in New Jersey are initially presented to an Early Settlement Panel. Two of our attorneys serve as Early Settlement Panelists. Often, if the parties cannot agree at this early stage, the court also requires them to participate in mediation. Only if the parties cannot reach agreement will the judge hear all the evidence and make orders related to all unresolved issues.

The experienced divorce lawyers at Goldstein Law Group have assisted many individuals in Monmouth County. We understand all facets of divorce in New Jersey and keep up with changes in the law with regard to alimony, child custody, and child support. Our main office is located in Metuchen, New Jersey. Contact us at 732-967-6777 or via our online form for a Free 10 Minute Case Evaluation* with a Rumson family law lawyer.