NJ Family Law Attorneys

In 2009, New Jersey had the lowest divorce rate in the entire nation. Of every thousand marriages only six couples pursued divorce through the fault or no-fault requirements. The most frequent cited grounds were separation, extreme cruelty and adultery. To file for divorce, in most cases at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for a minimum of one year before filing. Separation is the only ground for a no-fault divorce in New Jersey. Simply living apart in totally separate houses for more than 18 months, with no plans or expectation of reconciliation is enough to merit receiving a divorce. Other fault grounds include deviant sexual conduct, imprisonment for more than 18 months after marriage with no sexual contact, institutionalization for mental illness that leaves the afflicted spouse unable to contribute to the marriage and addiction to drugs or alcohol for more than 12 months. Desertion is different from separation in that the couple may still share a home but for more than one year they deliberately have no sexual relationship. Extreme cruelty is considered within a very liberal context. It can simply mean that the relationship is causing physical or mental pain. Adultery, contrary to popular belief does not necessarily include sexual relations with a person outside the marriage. Transferring emotional connections and forming a personal intimate relationship with another individual is grounds enough for obtaining a divorce, and yes, the correspondent will be named if known. Overall, securing a divorce in this state is still simple and straightforward for couples who choose to permanently end their marriages in this manner.

At first, getting remarried may seem incomprehensible to individuals who have recently ended a long-term, committed relationship. However, a 2002 study funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 75% of divorced women will remarry within 10 years. There are a number of reasons why individuals end up getting remarried after a divorce: The Darkest Days Are Over External sources of stress can strain a relationship to its breaking point. However, the relationship can sometimes be repaired if the source of the stress is removed, even after a divorce. For example, Lynne and Jamie Spears got divorced after media interest in their daughter and the pressures of her superstardom reached a fever pitch. Eight years later, after some of the most turbulent times in Britney's life had passed, the two managed to reconcile. The Grass Wasn't Greener Sometimes a divorce is initiated when one partner in the relationship feels as though they are "missing out" the possibilities that come from being single, especially if they were married at an early age. However, with time and maturity, the individual who ended the relationship may realize that they were truly happiest in their marriage. One of the most famous examples is the relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who were married for ten years, divorced, and then remarried. (Of course, Burton and Taylor divorced a second time, so the remarriage is not always permanent.) Reaffirming Vows A remarriage can also be entered into because the couple wishes to renew their wedding vows. Depending on the couple, the ceremony may take on the form of a more traditional wedding complete with an extensive guest list and lavish reception. Ultimately, time's ability to broaden perspectives and soften attitudes may lead individuals back down the path to the altar no matter how adamant they are about avoiding it. Although some people may be convinced today that they will never remarry, it is impossible to predict what the future holds.

Divorce rates are climbing in countries around the world, reaching a shocking 50% in the United States. As divorces become more common, stories of bizarre divorces have proliferated. Here are three of the strangest. A Polish couple wed in 2009 in Hannover, Germany holds the dubious distinction of having one of the shortest marriages on record. Their union met its demise only a few hours after they said their vows. Apparently the 50-year-old groom decided to cut the hair of his 34-year-old bride with a kitchen knife. Unsurprisingly, the bride protested, leading to a screaming match that brought the police. The pair agreed to an immediate annulment and spent their wedding night apart. The world's most expensive divorce came when Rupert Murdoch separated from Anna Murdoch in 1999. 32 years and 3 children after Rupert married Anna, he paid $1.7 billion to regain his freedom. 17 days later, the 68 year-old multi-billionaire married again, this time to 30-year-old Wendi Deng, showing that even the hefty price tag of his first marriage couldn't discourage Rupert from following his heart. Although divorces most frequently end marriages between young people, even unions between the elderly are not always immune. In 2009, a British couple became the oldest on record to choose to end their marriage. Bertie and Jessie Wood were both 98 years old and had been married for 36 years when they called it quits. Though their children refused to discuss the matter, Francine Kaye, a divorce expert, marveled at the split, saying, "At that age you'd think you'd find some way of getting on with each other."

Couples often separate in the process of a divorce or as a way to gain perspective on their relationship. A separation can also be a cooling-off period or a time of reflection for each partner to make decisions free from the excessive influence of the other. This is a crucial period for both individuals to determine what is right for them and get their lives back on track. Early in the separation, goals and a time limit should be set to prevent the separation from dragging on without resolution or interminably. The couple will need to discuss financial arrangements, the living situation, and make decisions about custody of their children, if they have any. To make the most of a trial separation, a couple also needs to set ground rules. How much contact will they have with one another? How and when will they discuss their relationship problems? Will they remain on intimate terms? Will they date other people? A separation can be an emotional time for both partners. A study published in the UK journal Psychological Medicine showed the risk of depression increases during separation. Seeking counseling, leaning on social support systems, going out with friends, and reclaiming former interests can all help ease the emotional toll of separation. Joint counseling is also necessary to help a couple learn how to better interact, whether or not they ultimately reconcile or divorce. While some see a separation as little more than a period of freedom, a couple can use the time apart to really examine their own roles in the relationship and what they want from both it and life. Each person can develop valuable problem-solving and life skills that will serve them well through the next leg of their journey, regardless of whether that may be reconciliation or divorce.

In both the United States and Europe divorce rates began rising more rapidly in the early 1970s. Today, the United States has more divorces per capita than any other nation, but Europe appears to be catching up. At approximately 49.5%, almost half of all American couples are divorcing. In the United Kingdom the number is a much lower 30.8%. Denmark has 28.1% and Portugal averages 8.8%. Down at the bottom is Italy with a mere 2.7% divorce rate. Within the individual states that make up this nation and the countries that constitute Europe, individualities occur. For example, in Louisiana, Arizona and Arkansas, a Covenant Marriage can be even more difficult to dissolve with longer mandatory waiting periods and counseling. In Germany and the Czech Republic a judge has the right to disallow a divorce if it will create too severe a hardship for the children or spouse. Much of Europe is Roman Catholic or Orthodox Christian, which may account for a broader hesitancy to obtain a divorce which will not be approved by the church. Unfortunately, in the United States, divorce rates appear to be almost as high within the faithful congregations as among the non-religious. A correlation seems to exist between the length of time spent waiting and receiving mandatory counseling and the number of divorces granted. On the other hand, the rate of marriages is also decreasing, meaning some couples may not want to legally commit to a relationship that could be difficult to dissolve. While overall divorce rates may be slowing in the United States, one wonders if that is simply because of the decrease in marriages here. It may be that marriage itself is becoming less popular.