couple at counseling

It is an unfortunate truth that, nowadays, more than half of marriages will end up in divorce. With this, you may simply be wondering: why? Read on to discover the most common reasons couples get divorced and how a seasoned Morris County divorce lawyer at Graves Andrews, LLC can be of any assistance necessary.

What are the common reasons that couples file for divorce?

In your divorce, you and your spouse will have to cite grounds. In other words, you or your spouse must state that the other is the reason for your divorce. Just some of the most common grounds for divorce that are cited include the following:

  • A spouse committed adultery.
  • A spouse practiced deviant sexual conduct.
  • A spouse practiced extreme cruelty toward the other.
  • A spouse deserted the other.
  • A spouse has been incarcerated for a certain period of time.
  • A spouse has been institutionalized for mental illness for a certain period of time.
  • A spouse has had an addiction for a certain period of time.
  • The couple experienced a lack of emotional and physical intimacy.
  • The couple experienced financial problems and debt.

Notably, in the state of New Jersey, it is also common for couples to cite no-fault grounds. That is, they will state that irreconcilable differences or separation of at least 18 months led to a divorce filing. This tends to be a popular option for couples who choose to undergo the uncontested divorce route. That said “irreconcilable differences” can be seen in the following ways:

  • The couple has opposing values or morals.
  • The couple has a lack of shared interests or compatibility.
  • The couple experiences too much conflict or arguing.
  • The couple experiences communication problems.

What is involved in the divorce process?

In addition to citing fault grounds or no-fault grounds for your divorce, you must also ensure that you complete the following tasks:

  1. You and your spouse must decide whether to undergo a contested or uncontested divorce.
  2. You and your spouse must confirm that you meet New Jersey’s residency requirements for divorce.
  3. You or your spouse must have a Divorce Complaint served to the New Jersey family court, and then to the other within four months.
  4. You and your spouse must attend a case management conference.
  5. If you cannot reach an agreement at this time, you and your spouse must attend an Early Settlement Panel.
  6. If you still cannot reach an agreement at this time, you and your spouse must attend a trial and undergo litigation.

Ultimately, it is important that you retain legal representation for your divorce proceedings. For this, you must contact a competent Morristown family law attorney today.