Divorce can be one of the most stressful situations that a person faces in his or her life. No two marriages are alike, and the same is true of divorce; some can be amicable and relatively quick and easy, while others are ugly, expensive, and drag on for what seems like an eternity. And for many couples, what starts as an amicable split devolves into a complicated mess.
Regardless of your particular circumstances, the assistance of an experienced divorce attorney can save you time, money, and stress.
Although it may be tempting to file for divorce on your own—using information available online—doing so is rarely in your best interest.
Read on for more information about why you should consult with an East Brunswick divorce lawyer today.
Do-it-yourself divorces may appeal to couples who believe they will save money and stress by doing it on their own.
However, even couples who do not have significant assets or child custody issues can run into serious complications during the divorce process. Having an attorney by your side can help you avoid costly mistakes, and legal counsel will be of immense value if any unexpected issues arise.
At the Law Office of Steven M. Cytryn, LLC, we are focused on divorce and other matters of family law. The end of a marriage typically has an impact on all aspects of your family’s life. When children are involved, emotions can be especially high.
This is why it is so important to work with an attorney who understands the sensitive nature of divorce cases. Divorces should not be handled by a firm that treats family law matters as cold, business transactions, or one that doesn’t specialize in family law.
Contact us today at (732) 214-1103 for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
We Handle All Types of Divorce in East Brunswick
Divorces are either uncontested or contested. If you and your ex are able to come to an agreement about major issues before trial—such as division of assets and debts, child support and custody—you will proceed with an uncontested divorce. If you cannot reach an agreement on one or more major issues, the divorce will be contested. It is quite common for divorces to begin as contested and become uncontested as disagreements are worked out, and vice versa.
How an East Brunswick Divorce Attorney Can Help You
Steven and his entire legal team will be by your side from day one, ensuring that the process is as efficient, stress free, and economical as possible. We never apply blanket policies to divorce cases because we understand that every case is unique. Once Steven has the information he needs to get started on your case, you can relax, take care of yourself, and spend time with your family. He will handle just about everything so that you can get on with living your life.
Hiring a divorce attorney will help you:
- Avoid mistakes—Something as simple as forgetting to address medical debt can result in future legal issues (and the associated costs). Avoid costly mistakes the first time by working with a lawyer.
- Anticipate legal issues—Certain legal issues, that appear fairly innocuous to the “naked eye” can quickly become problematic, and expensive. An experienced divorce lawyer will consider all aspects of your situation to identify potential complications before they arise.
- Negotiate with your ex’s attorney—If your ex has hired an attorney, you want to ensure a level playing field. Avoiding direct contact with opposing legal counsel is one of the many advantages of hiring your own attorney.
- Handle child custody, child support, and alimony negotiations—For divorcing couples with children, custody and support issues are usually front and center. Even if your split is a friendly one, it is a good idea to make your custody or visitation arrangement official. This also helps to ensure that child support payments are properly calculated, fair, and able to be enforced.
Uncontested Divorce
Uncontested divorces, on the other hand, are typically more streamlined, quicker, and much less expensive. These are advisable when both parties agree on all significant issues. With less issues and fewer proceedings, uncontested divorces also minimize the potential for conflict. An East Brunswick divorce lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you and your spouse are divorcing.
What Happens in an East Brunswick Contested Divorce?
After deciding what you want to ask for in the divorce (child support, alimony, division of debts and assets, etc.), your attorney will file the petition with the court and then on your spouse, who must respond within 30 days. Next comes the discovery process, during which detailed information is obtained through requests for documents, written interrogatories, and depositions. It is not uncommon for one or both spouses to delay their response to discovery requests in an effort to halt the process or hide assets. An experienced divorce attorney will be able to anticipate this type of behavior and stay on top of a spouse who fails to respond in a timely manner.
The goal is to reach a settlement agreement before the case goes to trial. In some situations, the judge may order both parties to attend a mediation during which unresolved issues are discussed with a third party. If a pre-trial settlement and/or mediation are unsuccessful, the divorce will move to trial. If the case goes to trial, you will have the opportunity to put on witnesses and cross-examine your spouse’s witnesses. You will also be able to make a closing argument. After hearing both sides of the case, the judge will make a decision.
East Brunswick Divorce Proceedings
Divorce proceedings vary based on whether the split is contested or uncontested, if kids are involved, the income level of both parties, and marital debts and assets. Some of the most common issues needing resolved in a divorce include:
Property and Asset Division
Assets and property accumulated during the marriage will be divided equitably in divorce. Do not confuse equitably (fairly) with equally. Also keep in mind that division of property does not always refer to a physical division. For example, the judge may award a certain percentage of the property’s value to each spouse. Both parties may receive a combination of assets and debts that add up to their designated percentage.
Child Custody
Child custody can be legal and physical. Legal custody refers to the parent’s role in certain decisions related to the kids, such as educational and medical, whereas physical custody refers to the parent’s time with the children. It is possible for one parent to have primary physical custody even though both parents share custody. Having such arrangements made official in a custody agreement can be of immense benefit if arguments arise in the future.
Child Support
Child support is calculated based on several factors, including income, whether or not alimony is being paid, the age and number of children involved, and the custody arrangement.
Divorce Attorney Proudly Serving East Brunswick, NJ
If you are still wondering if you need a divorce lawyer, the answer is likely yes. This is especially true if children or substantial assets/debt are involved. Although it may be tempting to try and save money by handling it on your own, doing so often costs significantly more in the long run.
At the Law Office of Steven M. Cytryn, LLC, we understand how divorce can disrupt the flow of life, and we will work tirelessly to help you get yours back on track.
Contact us today at (732) 214-1103 for a free and confidential consultation about your case.