Private by default
Your answers and documents stay inside your own secure portal.
At your own pace
Work through the questionnaire whenever it suits you, and save as you go.
Everything in one place
Questionnaire, documents, to-dos, and messages together in one case.
Plain language
We explain each step in everyday words, with no surprises.
Where You Are
Every Situation Looks Different
Tell us which one sounds most like yours and we will shape the paperwork around it. If you are not sure yet, we will help you work it out.
Uncontested Divorce
You and your spouse already agree on everything, or you expect to.
Contested Divorce
You and your spouse disagree on some or all of the issues.
Separation Agreement
A written agreement while you are still legally married.
Mediation Support
Paperwork and support for a mediated agreement.
Divorce in New Jersey
What the State Actually Requires
New Jersey has its own rules, its own forms, and its own timing. Here is the short version of what shapes a filing here.
One year of residency
Generally, at least one spouse must have been a genuine New Jersey resident for a full year before the complaint is filed. A narrow exception exists, such as a divorce based on adultery.
New Jersey is a no-fault state
Most divorces here are filed on irreconcilable differences — the marriage broke down for at least six months with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. You can also file after living separate and apart for 18 months, or on fault grounds such as adultery, desertion, or extreme cruelty.
Custody & parenting time
New Jersey separates legal custody, which is who makes the major decisions for a child, from physical custody, which is where the child lives. Both are decided on the best interests of the child, and parenting time is built around the child’s routine rather than the parents’ convenience. Either parent can ask the court to revisit an arrangement when circumstances change.
35 days to respond
Once the complaint is served, the other spouse has 35 days to file an answer or a counterclaim. If they do not respond, the case can move forward as a default.
Financial disclosure
If support, alimony, or property is in dispute, the court requires a Case Information Statement — a detailed picture of both sides’ income, assets, debts, and living expenses.
Property and support
New Jersey divides marital property equitably, which is fair rather than automatically equal. Alimony and child support follow state guidelines and the circumstances of each family.
How long it takes: an uncontested divorce with no children and simple assets can finish in as little as three months. A contested matter can run a year or longer. Timelines depend on the court’s calendar and how quickly both sides reach agreement.
The Process
Six Steps, No Guesswork
You will always know what is happening, what is next, and what is waiting on you. Your case page shows it at a glance.
Talk it through
A free consultation to hear your situation and explain, in plain language, what the process looks like from here.
Open your case
You answer a guided questionnaire in your own secure portal, at your own pace, saving as you go.
Gather what you have
Upload your documents as you find them. We tell you exactly which ones are still missing.
We prepare the paperwork
Complaint, settlement agreement, and supporting documents prepared for the New Jersey courts.
You review and sign
You check every detail before anything goes out. Nothing is filed without your approval.
Filing and follow-through
We track the deadlines and keep you updated as your case moves through the court.
What You’ll Need
Gather What You Can, We’ll Flag the Rest
Missing something? Upload it later. Your case page keeps a running list of what is still outstanding, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
Identity
- Photo ID (driver license or passport)
- Social Security card
- Birth certificate
Marriage
- Marriage certificate
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
- Proof of separation date
Children
- Children’s birth certificates
- Existing custody or support order
Financial
- Recent pay stubs
- Tax returns (last 2 years)
- Bank and investment statements
- Retirement account statements
- Mortgage or lease
- Credit card and loan statements
Legal
- Prior court orders
- Restraining order
- Letter from the other spouse’s attorney
Other
- Other supporting document
Support
You Don’t Have to Sort It Out Alone
Paperwork is only part of it. We keep the details organised, chase the missing pieces, and answer your questions along the way — so you can spend your energy on the decisions that actually matter.
Whether you are filing together, responding to a complaint, or simply trying to understand where you stand, start with a conversation. There is no charge for it.
SP Specialist Group is a document preparation and case management service. We are not a law firm, we do not practice law, and we do not give legal advice or represent anyone in court. The information on this page is general information about New Jersey divorce procedure as of the date shown and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed New Jersey attorney. If your matter involves contested custody, significant assets, or domestic violence, we encourage you to speak with an attorney.