How Long Does it Take To Get a Divorce in New Jersey?

Divorce in New Jersey can be a hassle, and having an uncooperative partner can make the process more stressful and time-consuming. If you have started the divorce filing process and are wondering how long it will take to be over, know that the filing period depends primarily on the nature and reason for the divorce in the first place.

Here are some common factors that can affect the application time frame for divorce in New Jersey:

1. State of Residency

For your divorce filing process to be eligible in New Jersey, you or your partner must have lived in the state for at least one year before the filing. Some specifics of this factor may lengthen the divorce process, e.g., if one party is new in the state.

2. The Grounds for Divorce in New Jersey

Another factor that may significantly affect your filing process and time is the reason for the divorce. In this case, you may file for a fault or no-fault divorce. Grounds recognized in New Jersey for a fault-based divorce involve specific incidents like extreme mental or physical cruelty, adultery, desertion, deviant sexual behavior, imprisonment, institutionalism, habitual drunkenness or drug habituation, or divorce from bed and board. Each fault-based instance has specific guidelines and affects your divorce processing time differently.

3. Irreconcilable differences

When it comes to a no-fault-based divorce, neither party is to blame for the failure of the marriage; instead, it just happened that they had irreconcilable differences, and the union couldn’t work out anymore. Since this factor does not require proof to be submitted, it usually takes a much shorter time. However, in addition to satisfying the state’s residence, the couple must have experienced irreconcilable differences with no chance for reconciliation for at least six months before the filing.

4. Contested or Uncontested Divorce in New Jersey

If you and your partner cannot agree on sensitive issues like splitting assets, custody, or alimony, this contested divorce will significantly add to your processing time. You will need to settle such problems in family court, which will add to your waiting time. On the other hand, if you can agree on many issues, it usually takes about six to eight weeks from the filing date for the process to be resolved.

With all these factors in mind, it can take anywhere between two to twelve months for the divorce process to be finalized. However, due to the intricacies involved in the process, it’s in your best interest to hire a professional divorce attorney to help you spend as little time as possible.