title: "New Jersey Divorce - Slim Packet v3"

state: "NJ" | price: "$97" | updated: "2026-03-30"

New Jersey Divorce Packet

Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.

⚠️ NJ UPL WARNING: NJ has among the strictest unauthorized practice of law rules in the US (treble damages, criminal penalties). These are document templates only. For legal advice, contact an attorney.

ELIGIBILITY

• [ ] You or your spouse lived in NJ for 1+ year (N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10)
• [ ] Filing in Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part in your county

Grounds (N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2) — choose one:

• Irreconcilable Differences (§ 2A:34-2(i)) — most common; marriage broke down for 6+ months; no fault required
• Separation — 18+ consecutive months apart in different homes
• Extreme Cruelty — file 3+ months after last incident
• Other: adultery, desertion (12 mo), habituation (12 mo), imprisonment (18 mo), institutionalization (24 mo)

Key statutes: Grounds § 2A:34-2 · Residency § 2A:34-10 · Alimony § 2A:34-23 · Equitable distribution § 2A:34-23.1 · Child custody § 9:2-4 · Name change § 2A:34-21

File at: Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part in your county · Fee: ~$275-300 · Fee waiver: ask clerk · Find your court: njcourts.gov

REQUIRED FORMS

Gather: marriage certificate · proof of income (3 yrs tax returns, pay stubs) · bank/retirement statements · deeds, vehicle titles · insurance policies

FILING STEPS

1. Determine grounds. Irreconcilable differences is recommended — no fault, no waiting period beyond the 6-month breakdown.
2. Complete Complaint for Divorce. Include grounds, list children, state what you're asking for.
3. Complete Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (required; includes SSNs).
4. Complete Certification of Insurance Coverage (list all health, dental, vision policies).
5. If children: complete Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet.
6. If contested: complete Case Information Statement (detailed financial form).
7. File at Superior Court. Bring: all forms + copies, filing fee (~$275-300) or fee waiver, photo ID. Get docket number.
8. Serve your spouse. Sheriff or private process server within 10 days of filing. Spouse has 35 days to answer. Acceptance of service: spouse signs notarized waiver.
9. If children: attend parent education program (required; ~$25-50; available online).
10. Contested cases: exchange financial documents, attend mediation (required for custody disputes), settlement conference.
11. Final hearing. Uncontested: short hearing, judge approves agreement. Contested: trial.
12. After judgment. No waiting period to remarry. Update: SSN, DMV, banks, employer, beneficiaries within 30 days.

FILING CHECKLIST

• [ ] Grounds confirmed (1-yr residency)
• [ ] Complaint for Divorce completed
• [ ] Confidential Litigant Info Sheet completed
• [ ] Certification of Insurance completed
• [ ] Parenting Plan + Child Support Worksheet (if children)
• [ ] Case Information Statement (if contested)
• [ ] Filed with court; docket number obtained
• [ ] Service on spouse arranged (within 10 days)
• [ ] Parent education completed (if children)
• [ ] Final hearing attended
• [ ] Judgment obtained; records updated

LEGAL AID

• Legal Services of NJ (statewide): lsnjlaw.org · (888) LSNJ-LAW (576-5529)
• South Jersey Legal Services (Camden): sjlslaw.org · (856) 963-2900
• Northeast NJ Legal Services: nnjls.org · (201) 792-6363
• NJ Courts Self-Help: njcourts.gov/self-help

*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.

Verify current law before filing. NJ UPL rules are strict — For legal advice, contact a licensed NJ attorney. jurist-diction.com*