Contemplating Divorce? Our Experienced New Jersey Family Law Attorney Can Help.
Divorce can be an extremely difficult process. If you’re considering a divorce, retaining the services of an experienced divorce attorney is the best way to make sure your interests and rights are protected. At Tournour Law, located in East Brunswick, our divorce attorney, Frank Tournour, is dedicated to providing effective and aggressive representation in all aspects of family law. Utilizing the extensive resources at our disposal, we will work to ensure that your rights are upheld at every stage of the divorce process.
The Divorce Process
We will ensure that your interests are represented throughout the entire divorce process, including post-divorce modifications. Here is a brief summary of the different steps involved:
Filing A Petition
The first step in obtaining a divorce in New Jersey is to file a petition in a state court in the county where you live. The petition needs to be presented to your spouse for him or her to sign. If your spouse refuses to sign the petition, you will likely need to hire a professional process server to present the papers.
Negotiation
After signing the forms, your spouse will have an opportunity to file a response to the petition and thereby take part in the divorce process. It is important to understand that divorce and separation are not interchangeable terms. Often a separation and separation agreement is the first step; this contract details the terms of the legal separation that the couple has agreed to. You will both be required to disclose your financial information to each other in order to establish the terms of the divorce – e.g., regarding the division of marital property, child custody, child support, alimony, etc. This is considered the negotiation phase of the process.
New Jersey is an equitable distribution state, which means that the court’s division of property and debts should be fair and equitable, but will not necessarily be equal. A divorce attorney can help ensure that your spouse divulges all relevant information.
Finalizing The Divorce
If you and your spouse agree on the terms of your divorce, the process will be finalized after the papers are submitted to the New Jersey court in which the petition was filed. If, however, you cannot reach an agreement, your case may proceed to a court hearing and/or trial. During this phase, a divorce attorney can represent your interests and present your case to the family court judge. A trial can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on the number of issues involved such as assets, finances, child custody, liabilities, etc.
Our New Jersey Divorce Attorney Services
The negotiation phase of the divorce process is extremely important. A successful outcome means that your case will not have to be brought before a New Jersey state court, which can be financially and emotionally taxing. For this reason, our divorce attorney is committed to fairly and reasonably settling matters early on whenever possible. His dedication to this approach was recognized by the Middlesex County Bar Association, which awarded him the 2006 Martin S. Goldin Award.
This honor was given to Mr. Tournour for, among other things, his ongoing efforts to sensibly resolve issues prior to pursuing litigation. He can act as a mediator in your divorce case to help you and your spouse reach an amicable resolution, or he can assist you with collaborative divorce proceedings. With our experienced divorce attorney by your side, you can rest assured that the courts will be utilized only as a last resort in defending your needs.
Along with providing skilled and professional negotiation services, Mr. Tournour:
- Prepares and submits all necessary forms and pleadings
- Performs all pretrial discovery, including a thorough review of property and possessions
- Represents clients’ interests in all pretrial motions and procedures
- Provides counsel on issues affecting financial settlement
- Evaluates legal aspects of matters associated with divorce, such as reorganization of business, tax consequences, financial restructuring, sale of real estate and distribution of value, retirement funds, and additional estate arranging
- Aggressively litigates during hearings and trials when necessary
At our family law firm in East Brunswick, we understand the divorce process can be intimidating. For this reason, we are committed to standing beside our clients every step of the way and working diligently to secure their best interests. Because we handle only a limited number of cases, we are able to devote the necessary time to each one as we work to obtain the most favorable outcome.
Contact An Experienced Divorce Attorney For Professional And Effective Representation
At Tournour Law, we have been helping clients with family law and divorce matters since 1999. Contact us today by calling 732-913-3634 or email us to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward protecting your rights during this difficult time.