Dissolution of Marriage Lawyer New Jersey, NJ

Dissolution of marriage — the legal process for ending a marriage — touches nearly every aspect of a person’s life, from parenting time to financial security. In New Jersey, divorce is governed by the state’s equitable-distribution framework and a set of statutory grounds that include no-fault separation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides family law representation to clients across New Jersey, with a practice that concentrates in dissolution-of-marriage matters including contested divorce, high-net-worth property division, alimony, and related custody and support issues. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring decades of combined experience to each matter, drawing on familiarity with the procedures and local practices of the Superior Court, Chancery Division — Family Part. To discuss your situation with an experienced New Jersey dissolution of marriage lawyer, reach our location at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.

On This Page

What Dissolution of Marriage Means in New Jersey

New Jersey law treats dissolution of marriage as the termination of the marital relationship and the resolution of all attendant issues — equitable distribution of property, spousal support, and, where minor children are involved, custody, parenting time, and child support. The statutory framework provides that a divorce may be granted on the ground of irreconcilable differences that have caused the breakdown of the marriage for a period of at least six months. Other statutory grounds remain available, but the six-month no-fault ground is the most common path for parties who agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

New Jersey is an equitable-distribution state, not a community-property state. That means the court divides marital assets and debts based on what is fair under the circumstances, considering statutory factors including the duration of the marriage, the age and health of the parties, their respective economic circumstances, and their contributions to the marital partnership. Alimony in New Jersey was substantially reformed by legislation effective September 2014. For marriages of less than 20 years, durational alimony is generally limited to the length of the marriage, while open-durational alimony may be available for marriages of 20 years or longer. Cohabitation by the supported spouse can provide a basis to modify or terminate alimony. Child support is calculated under the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines using an income-shares model, and custody determinations are guided by the trusted-interests-of-the-child standard evaluated through a set of statutory factors. All dissolution-of-marriage cases are heard in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division — Family Part, in the vicinage where either party resides.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Dissolution of Marriage Cases

When a client retains Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for a New Jersey dissolution matter, the process begins with a thorough review of the facts: the length of the marriage, the marital and separate property, the income and earning capacity of each spouse, the custody arrangement if children are involved, and the client’s objectives. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to identify the issues that are likely to be contested and those that may be resolved through negotiation. Because New Jersey law mandates that a Case Information Statement be filed by each party early in the proceeding, the team assists clients in gathering and organizing the required financial disclosures so that the document is accurate and complete.

New Jersey’s unique case-management system includes a mandatory Early Settlement Panel (ESP) — a settlement-oriented conference where experienced practitioners present each side’s position to a panel of retired judges who then make non-binding recommendations. Many cases resolve at or shortly after the ESP. If settlement is not reached, the matter proceeds through case management conferences, discovery, and potentially an intensive settlement conference before trial. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel prepare for each stage with the goal of achieving a fair resolution while protecting the client’s rights. Throughout the process, the team remains accessible to clients by phone and by appointment at the firm’s New Jersey location in Tinton Falls.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. A former prosecutor, he testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience to each dissolution-of-marriage matter. Results may vary.

The Of Counsel team includes attorneys with extensive family law and litigation backgrounds. On New Jersey dissolution-of-marriage cases, Mr. Sris leads the engagement, supported by his Of Counsel. This collaborative model allows the firm to handle matters that involve complex financial issues, such as business valuation, professional-practice valuation, stock options, and the division of retirement assets, while also addressing the intensely personal aspects of custody and support. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas since 1997. Results may vary. Contact our New Jersey location at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.

Verify admissions: Virginia State Bar · Maryland Judiciary · DC Bar · NJ Courts · NY OCA

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the grounds for dissolution of marriage in New Jersey?

New Jersey law allows divorce on no-fault grounds when irreconcilable differences have caused the breakdown of the marriage for at least six months. The statute also recognizes fault-based grounds such as adultery, extreme cruelty, desertion, and imprisonment, though most cases proceed under the no‑fault ground. If both parties agree that the marriage is over, they can file a joint petition or proceed on the no‑fault basis without the need to prove fault. A New Jersey divorce lawyer can explain which ground is most appropriate in a particular case.

How is property divided in a New Jersey divorce?

New Jersey divides marital property according to equitable-distribution principles, meaning the court strives for a fair — not necessarily equal — division. The judge considers factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, contributions to the acquisition of property, and the parties’ ages and health. Separate property — assets owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance during the marriage — is generally not subject to division. Complex assets like businesses, professional practices, and stock options often require detailed valuation.

How is alimony determined in New Jersey?

Alimony in New Jersey is governed by statutory factors and, for marriages of less than 20 years, durational alimony is generally limited to the length of the marriage. The 2014 alimony reform also permits the court to award open-durational alimony in longer marriages. In setting the amount and duration, the court examines the actual need of the recipient, the payer’s ability to pay, the standard of living during the marriage, and other statutory considerations. Cohabitation by the supported spouse after divorce may provide a basis to modify or terminate alimony.

What role does the Early Settlement Panel play in a New Jersey divorce?

The Early Settlement Panel is a mandatory settlement conference that occurs before trial in New Jersey divorce cases. Each side’s attorney presents a summary of the contested issues to a panel of experienced retired judges, who then offer non-binding recommendations for resolution. The ESP often helps the parties narrow their disputes or reach a full settlement, thereby reducing the time and cost of litigation. If a case does not settle at this stage, it moves forward through additional discovery and, if necessary, trial.

Can I get a divorce without going to court in New Jersey?

Yes, an uncontested divorce in New Jersey can often be finalized without a trial, provided both parties reach a comprehensive written agreement. The agreement must address all issues: property division, alimony, custody, parenting time, and child support. Once signed, the settlement is submitted to the court for approval. Even in uncontested cases, at least one party must appear at a brief final hearing for the court to grant the divorce. A lawyer can prepare the settlement agreement and handle the procedural steps.

How do I start the divorce process in New Jersey?

To begin a divorce action in New Jersey, one spouse files a Complaint for Divorce in the Superior Court, Chancery Division — Family Part in the county of residence. The filing fee, set by court rule, is paid at the time of filing, and the complaint must be served on the other spouse. After service, the case proceeds through case management, the exchange of financial information on Case Information Statements, and attempts at settlement including the Early Settlement Panel. Early consultation with an attorney can help ensure the complaint raises all necessary claims.

Official sources:
New Jersey Legislature (statutes) ·
New Jersey Courts ·
Superior Court Vicinages

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris. Results may vary.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.