Quick Wedding Does Not Mean Quick Divorce

By Snyder & Sarno on August 13, 2014

As recently reported by abcnews.com, a new wedding trending is, quite literally, “popping up” throughout the country. Many couples are choosing to forgo traditional, extravagant weddings in favor of “flash” ceremonies. In essence, a flash wedding is one where all of the guests may not be completely aware that the wedding is about to take place; it is sprung upon them at some other party or event. For example, one couple surprised their guests with a wedding during their annual family Fourth of July party.

While quick, surprise weddings may be cost-efficient and easy, in contrast, divorce of a married couple is not. Divorce can be drawn out and expensive, depending on the couple and their willingness to compromise, among other factors.

For example, one aspect of divorce that can be messy is property division. In New Jersey, property is equitably divided according to N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(h). A court will take into consideration a variety of factors when dividing property, including the duration of the marriage and the income of the parties. All assets acquired during the marriage, whether individually or together, are subject to equitable distribution. Thus, parties that have many assets could have a more difficult time agreeing to a division of their property upon divorce.

Another consideration during a divorce is alimony. The purpose of alimony is to allow both parties to the divorce to enjoy the same lifestyle that the couple enjoyed during the marriage. Like equitable distribution, the court will examine a variety of factors under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(b) to determine if and how much alimony should be paid from one spouse to the other. Because this deals with finances, it can be another source of contention in a divorce.

Likewise, if children are involved, a divorce can be even messier. The parties may disagree over child support and child custody. In New Jersey, child support is calculated according to the state’s child support guidelines. However, a court may change a child support award from the amount recommended by the guidelines if, for instance, there are extenuating factors such as a particular child’s needs or a parent’s ability or inability to pay. In addition, child support will be determined by an examination of a variety of factors outlined in N.J.S.A. 9:2-4. A court’s priority in determining child custody is the best interests of the child. Nevertheless, the parties often also want to consider their own interests when arguing over child custody and child support.

As you can see, divorce is not a simple and easy process, which is why the help of an experienced matrimonial attorney is necessary to help navigate the court system. If you are going through a divorce, the skilled lawyers at Snyder & Sarno, LLC can help you with your case. Contact us today at (973) 274-5200.