Hackensack Separation Agreements Lawyer
When you have made the difficult decision to separate from your spouse, you might feel overwhelmed by all the life decisions that come with living separately—not to mention the concerns you may have about the legal aspects of the split. Accordingly, some estranged partners in Hackensack choose to pursue legal separation first, rather than immediately filing for an absolute divorce.
A Hackensack separation agreements lawyer may be able to advise you on how you could go about pursuing this option. A qualified family attorney could help with any property that might need to be divided up, work with you to rearrange the schedules of any children from the marriage, and make sure bills and other financial considerations are taken care of.
Separation as Grounds for Divorce in Hackensack
Couples in Hackensack who live apart for 18 months or more may be presumed to have no reasonable chance of reconciling. According to New Jersey Revised Statutes §2A:34-2, this can qualify as grounds for divorce.
When estranged partners acquire a separation agreement prior to divorce, the document may provide further evidence that they resided in separate housing. A Hackensack separation agreement attorney may have further information on the legal impact of pre-dissolution documents in divorce proceedings.
Contents of a Separation Agreement in Hackensack
Even if a couple elects not to file for divorce right away, partners may want some legally binding rules in place during the period of separation. For example, if estranged partners do not plan to ever reconcile with each other, they may want to have a division of their mutual property in legal writing. A local separation agreements lawyer could discuss the implications of such contracts on marital property.
A separated couple may consider other terms for the agreement relating to assets and debts. For instance, both might promise to avoid taking out a mortgage on mutually owned real property or steer clear of major debts by making large purchases during the separation. They might also make decisions about who will pay current and future debts and bills.
If there are children involved, the couple might establish some guidelines for the custody and visitation of their children, as well as their financial support. Separated couples may have the option of attending a parent education class offered by the court system, which might help them to lessen the effect that estrangement may have on the kids.
Meet with a Hackensack Separation Agreements Attorney
Drafting a separation agreement may be a good move for those considering a life decision as important as legal separation or divorce. Whether you and your spouse wish to take your time before filing for divorce or possibly just need a break from each other, there are legal ways to do so while ensuring the safety of your assets.
A qualified attorney could advise estranged couples on separation contracts, as well as answer any questions they have about the procedures. Contact a Hackensack separation agreements lawyer to discuss the details of your pre-dissolution document in your time of need.