Jersey City Child Support Lawyer

Are you struggling with a child support agreement? Our Jersey City child support Lawyer Brian Freeman is dedicated and ready to guide you through this difficult legal process. If you want strong legal representation, please call our New Jersey office today to get a free confidential case evaluation.

Among all family law issues, child support disputes are perhaps the most difficult. In the past 30 years, Jersey City child support lawyer Brian Freeman of the Freeman Law Center, LLC has successfully handled thousands of child support cases. We offer free initial consultations to potential clients in northern New Jersey, from Union City to North Bergen to Jersey City.

The child support lawyers of our firm deal with many different types of issues.  In our divorce  practice, we help clients in making the appropriate arrangements to ensure their child’s financial needs will be met long after the divorce is finalized.  Planning ahead for expenses for college, summer camps and medical bills are essential components of our child support practice.

In some cases, a child support order may be in affect and a need later arises for a modification.  Whether you are the recipient of the child support payments or the parent that pays child support, the experience Jersey City child support lawyer at the Freeman Law Center, LLC are here to help.  We have a proven track record of success, let us help you, call today for your free consultation.

Divorce FAQs

> What are grounds for divorce in New Jersey?

Some of the most common grounds for divorce are:

• Mental cruelty
• Physical cruelty
• Desertion
• Adultery
• Irreconcilable differences

Some of these grounds for divorce can be difficult, time consuming, and costly to prove. Because of that, by far the most common grounds for divorces filed in New Jersey is “irreconcilable differences.” To prove this, the court only requires you to prove that you and your spouse have been unable to get along for six months.

> How long will it take to get divorced?

Time frames for divorce proceedings vary, and any cookie cutter estimates will be unreliable. A divorce could be finalized in under a month, or it could drag on well past a year. The amount of time a divorce takes will depend upon the facts of the case and the willingness of both parties to communicate and to compromise. An experienced divorce attorney will be able to give you a more precise and reasonable estimate after examining your circumstances at an initial consultation.

> What will my divorce cost me?

Time and cost are usually the first questions on anybody’s mind. In most divorce cases the two are related in direct proportion. It surprises some to know that the cost of a divorce isn’t necessarily tied to the value of the assets involved. A potentially complicated divorce involving many valueable assets, property, and children could be resolved inexpensively if the parties come to an agreement before filing, or early in the process. Because most attorneys bill by the hour, the longer two spouses drag on negotiations, the more expensive the divorce becomes for both parties.The cost of an uncontested divorce in New Jersey will typically start around $1,500.00, plus the filing fee. If the divorce is contested and there are assets and issues such as custody and child support, the initial retainer could range from $3,500.00 to $5,000.00, or more depending on the circumstances. A long and fiercely contested divorce could cost as much as $15-20,000.

> How do I respond to divorce papers?

In New Jersey, if you’ve been served with a summons of complaint for divorce, you should consult a family law attorney immediately. You only have 35 days to respond to the complaint – that means filing an answer and a counter claim. You cannot delay to protect your rights, including control over your assets and custody of your children. If your spouse has filed a complaint, that means he or she has already consulted with an attorney about the particulars of your shared lifestyle and finances, considered strategy and drafted a set of demands. You shouldn’t wait to get an experienced attorney on your side, too. Seek that counsel, and let your attorney handle the official response.

> Will I need to take my case to a trial?

Most divorce cases in New Jersey never make it to a trial. If the parties come to an agreement, one party can waive his or her right to an appearance, avoiding the need to go to court. Some New Jersey counties allow settlement without either party appearing in court. If there is a “default” case, when one party doesn’t answer the other party’s complaint, the filing party would have to make a very brief appearance in court to enter facts into the record before the judge comes to a decision.

> I’m unhappy with the result of my trial. Can I appeal?

In New Jersey, you have 45 days to appeal the verdict of a case. If you appeal, the Appellate Court will take on your case. The Appellate Court may “vacate,” or make legally void, the judge’s decision in your case. If you do not file an appeal within the 45 day window, the Martial Separation Agreement (MSA) spelling out the terms of your divorce will be final and cannot be overturned. You can revise an MSA and negotiate new terms, but that requires the cooperation of your former spouse.

Contact Us

Please contact our Jersey City child support lawyer to set up a free consultation about your legal rights under New Jersey child support laws. For your convenience, we accept credit cards and offer evening and weekend appointments. Freeman Law Center, LLC is fully staffed with bilingual paralegals that are ready to assist you through every step of your case.