Deciding to end your marriage may come after some contemplation, or you may decide after an ensuing incident. Under New Jersey law, you may give the judge a reason or pursue your divorce through a no-fault path.
What is the difference between giving a reason or not? Find out more about your choices when giving the court more insight into the unraveling of your marriage.
What are the grounds for divorce?
When you file for divorce or dissolution, as the state calls it, you need to present why the marriage is no longer working. The most common ground is that the marriage can no longer work and is beyond repair. This does not point fingers or blame either spouse for the relationship’s demise.
However, you can choose a ground that may impact how a judge sees the circumstances of your divorce.
- Adultery
- Mental instability
- Incarceration
- Abuse or cruelty
- Addiction
- Abandonment
What is the benefit of giving grounds?
In some cases, giving grounds for divorce may benefit your case. For instance, if your spouse left the home and has not contacted you since, you may want to cite abandonment as the reason for the split. If the other party is too difficult to locate and has left the home without word, it may aid in your petition for divorce.
Other grounds for divorce may cast your spouse in a different light, and the judge may rule favorably for you regarding property division or custody. An ally with a better grasp of the ins and outs of family court may aid in your cause.