New Jersey At-Fault Divorce Attorneys

Your Guide to At-Fault Divorce in New Jersey

Divorce can be a highly emotional process, the outcome of which can have a significant impact on your life. This is especially true of contested and at-fault divorces. As such, you should take the time to find the right divorce attorney to represent your goals and best interests throughout the legal process ahead of you. Doing so is a critical step in ensuring your best interests are protected.

The grounds for a fault-based divorce in New Jersey include adultery, desertion, institutionalization, imprisonment, prolonged drug or alcohol abuse, and deviant sexual conduct. Spouses filing for a divorce on one of these grounds must provide adequate proof of the behavior in order to be granted the divorce.

What Is an “At-Fault” Action?

In the state of New Jersey, just like every other state in the country, divorces are allowed to be filed for no reason in particular, or “no-fault.” As this is available to anyone, it should underline the noteworthiness of any at-fault case, which could be indicative of serious problems. Courts need to pay particularly close attention to at-fault cases, as someone’s livelihood could be on the line.

Reasons cited in at-fault divorce cases often include:

Adultery committed by either party
Willful desertion (abandonment) by either spouse for a term of 12 months or more
If a spouse is institutionalized for mental illness for 24 consecutive months or more
Imprisonment of one spouse for 18 or more consecutive months
If a spouse experiences extreme cruelty by the other in the form of physical, emotional, or other types of abuse and cannot safely live in the same home
Problems related to drug or alcohol addiction that continues for 12 or more consecutive months
If one party engages in deviant sexual behavior without the other’s knowledge or consent

In the case of an at-fault divorce, plaintiffs may be given an advantage when applying for child custody or alimony or in the division of financial assets, especially when a dispute arises. It is important to note that spouses filing for divorce on the basis of fault must be able to show adequate proof of their claims.

The divorce lawyer you choose to represent you in an at-fault divorce case should be professional, experienced, knowledgeable, able to listen to what you want, and advise you well. It is also important that you are comfortable with your attorney, as you will likely need to share highly personal information about yourself and your marriage. Don’t rush into hiring an attorney until you are certain that he or she is the best fit for you.

How Burnham Douglass Attorneys at Law Can Help with Your At-Fault Divorce

We understand that deciding to file for divorce and leaving a potentially dangerous living situation takes courage. You deserve to feel comfortable in knowing that someone who cares about you and your best interests is fronting your case. At Burnham Douglass Attorneys at Law, we believe this devotion and know-how is one of the main reasons why our lead attorneys have received so many prestigious awards and accolades to date.

Why Choose Our New Jersey Divorce Law Firm?

Named to the Top 100 Lawyers by American Society of Legal Advocates (ASLA)
Listed as Nation’s Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC)
Over two decades of experience serving South Jersey families

At Burnham Douglass Attorneys at Law, we have been protecting our clients throughout their divorces for over 60 years, collectively. We are a respected name in divorce representation across Burlington County and all of South Jersey. To date, our divorce lawyers have counseled thousands of clients through their divorces, ranging from amicable separations to contested disputes.

Our offices are conveniently located in Marlton, and Somers Point, New Jersey and we proudly serve the South Jersey communities of Cherry Hill, Medford, Moorestown and Princeton, and throughout Atlantic County, Burlington County, and Camden County.

Protecting Your Best Interests Every Step of the Way

At Burnham Douglass Attorneys at Law, we understand what is at stake. You could lose your hard-earned assets or even compromise the quality time that you spend with your child if a divorce doesn’t work out in your favor. We know that our clients are facing a tremendous amount of stress, which is why we work hard to help them secure the best possible results in their at-fault divorce.

In everything that we do, our goal is always to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. We are known for offering sound, practical, and effective advice to clients from start to finish. If you are looking for a compassionate, honest, and experienced attorney to help you get through your divorce, you can turn to Burnham Douglass Attorneys at Law with peace of mind knowing that you have a trusted team on your side.

To contact us, submit an online contact form or call us at 856-751-5505.

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