The People You Should Have on Your Divorce Team

It’s not easy to go through divorce in NJ, but having the right team helps

No matter how simple it may appear, getting divorced is an emotional, stressful experience. While going through the process, you may not even be aware of how great an impact it is having on you. It’s tough to make rational decisions and take care of you and your children’s well-being while your life is being profoundly changed. That’s why it’s important to have a team of professionals to support you and your children. Your divorce team should include legal and financial experts as well as therapists and child specialists.

Whether the divorce is uncontested or contested, friendly or hostile, it’s a good idea to have a skilled team looking out for your interests.

Helping with practical matters and protecting your health and interests

Your divorce team should include professionals who can help you with legal and financial matters, which can include some or all of the following:

Divorce attorney. Even if your divorce is uncontested, a divorce lawyer in New Jersey can help ensure that your rights are protected and that your settlement is fair and equitable. Your divorce lawyer is the most important member of your divorce team and should have the following qualifications:

  • Extensive experience in a variety of divorce cases in your state, including mediation
  • Be a passionate advocate for your interests and a good negotiator
  • Able to speed up the process by helping you gather information, fill out, and file the appropriate forms
  • Honest and candid

Mediator. Mediation has become a common way to divorce. It is usually more efficient (saves time and money) and less contentious than divorces settled in court proceedings. Even if you choose mediation for your divorce, you should still retain an experienced divorce lawyer to review any agreements and ensure that they are in your best interest. Your lawyer may also be able to recommend a mediator for your divorce. Ask about the mediator’s process and fees before you hire a mediator.

Financial advisor/planner. Divorce often has a big financial impact on your life. To assess how divorce will change your financial position, you should consult with a financial advisor or financial planner before agreeing to or negotiating a division of assets and/or other financial settlement.

CPA or forensic accountant. In contested divorces, it can be helpful to have an accountant review your joint finances and assess the tax implications of your settlement. If you suspect that your spouse may be hiding, devaluing or overvaluing your assets, a forensic accountant can help you discover the true picture of marital assets and liabilities.

Therapist or divorce coach. Though your divorce may be final on paper, it is not over until you can move forward with your life. A therapist or divorce coach can help you deal with the emotions that arise during divorce proceedings and help you start your new life. Having an outlet for your feelings can help you make better, more rational and less emotional decisions during your divorce.

Child specialist. If you have children, it’s a good idea to engage a child specialist to ensure they have a voice in the process. A child specialist looks out for your children’s well-being and helps them process the complicated and conflicted emotions that children experience when their parents’ divorce.

Though you may share a mediator or child specialist with your spouse, you should never share other divorce team members with your spouse. Avoid your spouse’s relatives, friends and business associates. You can contact professional organizations for referrals or your divorce attorney can also recommend and refer you to the professionals that will be helpful during your divorce.

New Brunswick, NJ attorney works with professionals on your divorce team

Attorney Steven Cytryn has experience with a wide variety of New Jersey divorce, custody and support cases. He often works as part of a divorce team to help his clients navigate their divorce. Steven Cytryn provides compassionate and aggressive advocacy for you during your divorce. Contact the Law Offices of Steven M. Cytryn online or at (732) 214-1103.

Steven M. Cytryn
About the Author: Steven Cytryn
Steven M. Cytryn is the Managing Member of The Law Office of Steven M. Cytryn, LLC, and primarily focuses his practice on divorce and family law matters.