In a Divorce, You Need an Advocate
If you are facing a divorce, you need an advocate who cares enough to learn about your needs and can help you understand the process, so you can take control of your divorce and future.
At Pallarino & Bogan, L.L.P., one of our experienced lawyers will sit down with you, determine what is important to you and your family, and then explain the options available to you.
The Divorce Process
The process begins with filing a complaint
- File in the county of residence where the cause of action arose.
- Causes of action include irreconcilable differences, 18 months of separation, extreme cruelty, adultery, 12 months of desertion, habitual drunkenness, and deviant sexual conduct.
After filing, the parties exchange financial information and engage in discovery
- The parties file case information statements and financial documents
- The parties hire experts to value businesses, pensions and other assets
After discovery is completed, the parties attempt to resolve issues regarding:
- Child custody and parenting time
- Alimony and child support
- Equitable distribution of assets and debts
- Life insurance, college, and tax-related issues
These issues can be resolved through negotiation between the attorneys, as well as by participation in mediation. Mediation is a simple alternative dispute resolution process that avoids litigation and trial.
Divorce Trial
When the parties cannot resolve their differences through settlement, the case goes to trial. Both parties will testify and present other witnesses to support his or her position concerning custody, parenting time, alimony, child support, and equitable distribution of assets and debt. The judge will then decide the issues in dispute and memorialize the decision in a court order.
Divorce cases may involve the following steps:
- Case management conference: a simple meeting or telephone conference with the court and other party's attorney to schedule deadlines that certain tasks must be accomplished.
- Filing case information statement: most important document in a divorce case which shows income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
- Discovery: a period of time for the lawyers to gather information, prepare witnesses, and develop their cases
- Early Settlement Panel: a small panel of neutral lawyers who examine both parties' settlement proposals and make recommendations
- Economic mediation: If the case isn't concluded in the early settlement panel, the next step is for both parties to meet with a court-appointed mediator who facilitates settlement
- Trial: If matters aren't settled by this point, the court will hear testimony from both sides and render decisions about distribution of assets and liabilities, child custody, and support and other related issues
Contact Us ∙ 973-419-5618
We stay intimately involved in your divorce case, and we will do everything we can to work within your budget. Contact our Morristown, New Jersey office today.
