Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Parents' Education Program

DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.


QUICK LINK

Some Family Division Office webpages offer more information
on the Parents' Education Programs held in their counties.

Find information on your Family Division Office webpage.




MORE INFORMATION

A New Jersey state law, known as the Parents' Education Act, mandates that divorcing parents attend a Parents' Education Program

As of the date of this post, the extra fee for the program is $25Remember, it must be paid as part of your filing fee. 

After I filed my paperwork and paid the fee, the courts mailed a notification telling me the date, time, and location for the program.   The meeting I attended was held in a courtroom for two to three hours on a weeknight.

Divorcing parents do not need to attend a Parents' Education Program together.  At the meeting I attended, each one of the parents was present without the other parent.  In this way, all of us were free to ask questions openly, and the meeting wasn't interrupted by arguments between parents.

The Parents' Education Program may sound like a waste of time, but it's very informative, especially on legal issues such as custody and visitation. 

Based on my impression, many of us parents walked into the courtroom annoyed to be there, but we left appreciative for what we'd learned.

As a pro se litigant, I was especially grateful for the opportunity to ask more questions and receive feedback from officers of the court.



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Friday, April 10, 2015

Certification of Service

DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.



QUICK LINK


(No link at the present time)





MORE INFORMATION


One of the forms you might need to file with your paperwork is a Certification of Service.  You complete and sign this form to certify that you served the other party with papers. 

The Family Intake department at the courthouse gave me a Certification of Service form.  The form asked for a certified mail tracking number and information about the party (the lawyer) I was serving. 

I searched and searched for this form online. Similar forms can be found on the NJ State Judiciary website, but I haven't found one there intended for use with an Answer/Counterclaim in a divorce case.

There are forms available in books.  Legal Services of New Jersey's Self-Help Guide has a Certification of Service form to photocopy.  Also, there's a similar form in Sphinx Legal's File for Divorce in New Jersey, a book I found at my local library. 

However, I would recommend simply asking the Family Intake staff at the courthouse for a copy of the form.

More importantly, hold onto your certified mail receipts from the post office, plus the return card signed by the receiver, as proof of service.

For more information on Certification of Service, see NJ Rule 1:5-3 Proof of Service.


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Filing Fee / Filing Fee Waiver

DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.



QUICK LINKS






MORE INFORMATION

When you file your Answer and Counterclaim, you must pay the court a filing fee, unless you're granted a filing fee waiver.


Filing Fee

When I filed an Answer and Counterclaim, the filing fee was $175 plus a $25 fee to cover mandatory enrollment for parents in the Parents' Education ProgramHowever, filing fees are subject to change, and the amount you pay depends on the document(s) you're filing.  All filing fees, including the extra charge for parents, must be paid by the 35-day deadline.  If you don't pay your fee by the deadline,  your Answer and Counterclaim may be rejected.

Filing fees are listed on the New Jersey Courts website:

Click on Rule 1:43 - Filing and Other Fees Established Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2B:1-7 and scroll down to Superior Court, Law Division, Chancery Part Family. 
- OR -
For a PDF copy of the fees, go to Represent Yourself in Court (Pro Se): Self-Help Resource Center.  On that page, there is a menu on the right with a link to Court Fees.  If you follow that link, you will see another link for Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part

Remember, fees are subject to change.  Contact the Family Division to make sure you understand which fee is required from you.

When you call the Family Division, remember to ask which methods of payment the cashier will accept.  I read that I had to purchase a money order to cover my filing fee.  When I brought it to the courthouse, the cashier said she could've accepted cash.  However, the payment policy could be different at every courthouse.  If you are allowed to pay in cash, be sure to obtain a receipt of payment to keep in your own records.

If you plan to pay with a personal check, be aware that "starter" checks for newly-opened bank accounts might not be accepted because your name and address are not pre-printed on them.  The courthouse cashier wouldn't accept my starter checks.  Later, I discovered that my bank will print out a personal check with the account holder's name and address.  Ask your bank about this option.


Filing Fee Waiver

As you can see, filing fees can be costly.  However, a judge might grant you a filing fee waiver if you can demonstrate financial need.  

At the courthouse where I go, the Family Division staff hands out filing fee waiver forms.  The form the staff gave me is available on the NJ State Judiciary website right here: Filing Fee Waiver Request (PDF)One staff member recently told me that this online form is an older version that's still accepted.  But, for the record, it's exactly the same form the staff gave me in person a short time ago.

You must complete the filing fee waiver form and attach documentation showing that you have financial need.  Contact the Family Division to ask about the proper documentation to attach.  The staff suggested that I attach a current bank statement, but I was too late to request a waiver, which brings me to the next very important point:

Apparently, you're supposed to allow 1-2 weeks for a judge to make a decision on your request for a waiver.  I checked and rechecked my paperwork every single day until the 35-day deadline, and then I brought it to the courthouse on the last day. That's when I found out that, if the judge denies your filing fee waiver request, your papers could be marked "received" but not "filed."  

So, turning in your papers by the deadline isn't enough.  You also must pay the entire filing fee by that date.  If you turn in your paperwork along with a filing fee waiver request that the judge rejects, your papers might not be considered "filed."  That is, you will have missed your deadline, and your answer may be rejected completely.  I couldn't take that risk, so I paid the whole fee.  

I can't tell you what to do.  But, if I could travel back in time, I would file my Answer and Counterclaim, along with a filing fee waiver request, two weeks before the 35-day deadline.  In that way, I would've had either an approval or a rejection from the judge before the deadline.

Legal Services of New Jersey has more information on filing fee waivers on their webpage, Help with Court Fees.



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CDR Certification

DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.



PRINTABLE FORM
(Click below for PDF form on NJ Courts website.)





MORE INFORMATION

The full title of this form is very long: Certification of Notification of Complementary Dispute Resolution Alternatives  (Certification by Self-Represented Litigant).

So, what is the purpose of this form?  Well...

The New Jersey court system could easily become overwhelmed by divorce cases, and the conventional route to a divorce can be very expensive and slow-going.  So, NJ Rule 5:4-2(h) states that both parties in a divorce must be informed of less expensive, faster alternatives, such as mediation or arbitration. 

To make sure you're aware of these other options, New Jersey requires that you sign a CDR Certification, which states that you've read a document called Divorce-Dispute Resolution Alternatives to Conventional Litigation

I picked up a CDR Certification form at the courthouse.  Yet, once again, as it turns out, both the form and the document are available in a free PDF on the NJ State Judiciary website:

CDR Certification by Self-Represented Litigant  





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Confidential Litigant Information Sheet

DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.



PRINTABLE FORM
(Click below for PDF form on NJ Courts website.)



QUICK DESCRIPTION

Along with the Answer and Counterclaim, the defendant also must file a Confidential Litigant Information Sheet in accordance with NJ Rule 5:4-2(g).



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The Confidential Litigant Information Sheet is required in cases involving "alimony, maintenance, child support, custody, parenting time, visitation or paternity" (NJ Rule 5:4-2(g)).

You, the defendant, must file it with your Answer and Counterclaim.  The plaintiff files his/her form separately.  Neither party is supposed to receive a copy of the other party's form.

The form will contain sensitive information, such as social security numbers (hence the word "confidential").  It's intended for the court's use only.  Do NOT send a copy of your completed Confidential Litigant Information Sheet to the plaintiff's lawyer! 

I picked up this form at the courthouse, but it's also available on the New Jersey State Judiciary website:  

Click here for a PDF of the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet. 

Please note that typing on the PDF will not file this document with the courthouse; you'll need to print the form, complete it, and file it along with your Answer and Counterclaim.  

Also, you cannot leave any spaces blank on this form.  If there's a question that doesn't apply to you, you have to write N/A on that line.



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Certification of Insurance Coverage

DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.


QUICK LINK

(No link at the present time)



MORE INFORMATION

Just as you might expect, you submit a Certification of Insurance Coverage to certify that you have insurance and to give information about all of your insurance policies.  

I was instructed to use Form 2 - Certification of Insurance, which is found in Divorce in New Jersey: A Self-Help Guide, that helpful book published by Legal Services of New Jersey.  I photocopied the form, crossed out the word plaintiff, and wrote in defendant.  

The form had four sections:

      • Automobile Insurance
      • Health Insurance
      • Homeowners Insurance
      • Life Insurance

LSNJ doesn't make this form available online, either.  I found the Self-Help Guide in the courthouse law library.

To date, I haven't been able to locate a Certification of Insurance Coverage form on the NJ State Judiciary website, although I've noticed that several attorneys offer free downloads of their own forms on their websites.

However, I did find another Certification of Insurance Coverage form in a book at my local public library.  The book is called File for Divorce in New Jersey, and it's published by Sphinx Publishing.  

Anyway, I've noticed that everyone's Certification of Insurance Coverage statement follows the same format in accordance with NJ Rule 5:4-2(f).  Each and every prewritten form essentially contains the following lines:


  1. I am the defendant (or the plaintiff).
  2. At present, the following insurance policies represent all of the insurance coverage obtained by or for myself.
  3. To the best of my knowledge and belief, none of this insurance coverage has been canceled or modified within the past 90 days.

On my form, I listed information about every policy, including the company name, policy number, and the name(s) of the insured.  Any other relevant information, such as a life insurance beneficiary, needed to be listed, too.

Finally, every Certification of Insurance Coverage ends with this standard clause:

I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true.  I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.

And, of course, the litigant's signature and the date is required at the bottom.

Remember, I'm merely sharing my observations on this blog.  As always, check with a lawyer and/or the courthouse for more information before filing any paper. 






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Certification of Verification and Non-Collusion

DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.


QUICK LINK

(No link at the present time)



MORE INFORMATION

A Certification of Verification and Non-Collusion must be attached to your Answer and Counterclaim.  For a legal definition of collusion and some interesting background information, see this entry in The Free Dictionary online.

The Certification of Verification and Non-Collusion is required by NJ Rule 5:4-2(c) which states:


There shall be annexed to every complaint or counterclaim for divorce, dissolution of civil union, termination of domestic partnership, or nullity an oath or affirmation by the plaintiff or counterclaimant that the allegations of the complaint or counterclaim are true to the best of the party's knowledge, information and belief, and that the pleading is made in truth and good faith and without collusion for the causes set forth therein.


I photocopied my Certification of Verification and Non-Collusion from LSNJ's Divorce in New Jersey: A Self-Help Guide, which was available in the law library at the courthouse where I go.  It is one of the few forms written for the defendant in the LSNJ guide.

The same type of form is available free on several websites.  Unfortunately, everything I found online is written for the plaintiff, not the defendant.  You can preview an example here on Wikiforms.org.  Of course, a defendant's certification would replace the word plaintiff with defendant and the word complaint with counterclaim

I also found the same certification statements in Sphinx Legal's File for Divorce in New Jersey at my local library.  In the 2nd Edition, it's on page 190, but once again it's written for the plaintiff.

On the NJ State Judiciary website, the form is available only in connection with other types of cases (not divorces).

So, I would recommend the form in LSNJ's Self-Help Guide, if you have access to it.  It's on the last page of Form 14D - Answer and Counterclaim.





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Answer and Counterclaim for Divorce


DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.


QUICK LINK

(No link at the present time)




MORE INFORMATION

Once you, the defendant, have been served with a Complaint for Divorce, the clock starts ticking.  You must file your response within 35 days.  

There are a few different ways a defendant might respond to the plaintiff's Complaint for Divorce.  For example, a defendant could file an Appearance or just an Answer without a Counterclaim.  Also, there are different variations of Answers depending on the grounds for divorce; that is, an answer to a Complaint about extreme cruelty might differ from one about adultery.

I filed an Answer and Counterclaim based on irreconcilable differences because those are the grounds my spouse gave for divorce.

Of course, the best idea is to consult with a lawyer before filing anything.  As I have no means to pay a lawyer and was rejected by Legal Services of New Jersey, I decided to follow the instructions in LSNJ's book Divorce in New Jersey: A Self-Help Guide.  The book contains a form for a defendant to use.

In preparing my own answer, here's what I learned: 

The Answer is your point-by-point response to the plaintiff's Complaint for Divorce.  Then, in the Counterclaim, you present your side of the story and make your own demands. 

I never found an example of an Answer and Counterclaim on the New Jersey State Judiciary website.  However, some lawyers share samples on their websites.  Here's one example, written the way I suppose a lawyer might write it:  Click here and then download to see one lawyer's sample Answer and Counterclaim. 

Luckily, the Answer and Counterclaim form in LSNJ's Self-Help Guide is written in a simple way for a pro se litigant to use.  Of course, it isn't available online.  You can photocopy it from the book, but the form doesn't provide much room for comments.  So, I referred to it only as a guide for writing my own Answer and Counterclaim.

Yet another option is to buy a prewritten Answer and Counterclaim through a vendor.  There are many businesses that sell these forms.  I didn't take this route, though, so I can't recommend one to you.

Here's what I did:

The Answer

I noticed that all sample Answers begin with this line: 

The Defendant, full name, residing at street address, town, county, State of New Jersey, by way of answer to Plaintiff's complaint says:

After that first line, the defendant must respond to every numbered paragraph in the plaintiff's complaint by admitting (agreeing with) or denying (disagreeing with) the plaintiff's allegations and, if necessary, making additional comments.

So, for example, suppose the plaintiff claims in paragraph #1 of the Complaint for Divorce that you, the defendant, reside at 123 Main Street, Anytown, New Jersey, in Atlantic County.   If that statement is true, here's what you could write in your Answer: 

I admit the allegations contained in paragraph 1.
 - or - 

Defendant admits the allegations contained in paragraph 1.


On the other hand, suppose your spouse claims in paragraph 2 of the Complaint for Divorce that you've been separated for 18 months, but you know that you've been living apart for only two months.  You might write:

I deny the allegations contained in paragraph 2.  The Plaintiff and I have been living apart for two months.

- or -
Defendant denies the allegations contained in paragraph 2.  Defendant and Plaintiff have been living apart for two months.

You also might want to give details supporting your denial, such as the actual date that you and the plaintiff separated.

Easy, right?

But, I wasn't sure about some of my own spouse's allegations.  So, in my responses to a few of his paragraphs, I didn't admit or deny.  Instead, I explained why I wasn't sure how to respond.

For example, I couldn't know for sure where the plaintiff was living.  So, in response to his claim that he'd been living at a certain address, I responded:  I do not have enough information to confirm Plaintiff's address of residence. 

Also, I figured the judge wouldn't want to read a long, rambling saga, so I made every sentence I wrote as concise as possible

Finally, I noticed that the defendant's Answer always concludes with the following line:

WHEREFORE, Defendant demands judgment dismissing Plaintiff's complaint together with interests and costs of suit.

To give you an example of how an Answer might be written, here's the basic format I used for my own Answer, as suggested by LSNJ's Self-Help Guide:


(Click image for larger view.)


Remember to check with a lawyer before filing your own Answer.




The Counterclaim

Here's your chance to tell your side of the story.

The Counterclaim immediately follows the Answer with no page break between the two.  The Counterclaim form in LSNJ's Self-Help Guide is very basic.  I referred to it only as a starting point but wrote my own Counterclaim, expanding it much further.  In my writing, I also referred to my spouse's Complaint for Divorce as a guide.  I thought about what I would've stated if I'd filed for divorce first, and I wrote my Counterclaim accordingly.

After making each point in numbered paragraphs, I had to write this clause:

WHEREFORE, Defendant demands judgment:

And I listed each judgment that I demanded, this time in lettered paragraphs (A, B, C, etc.), just as my spouse did in his Complaint.

Then I wrote my signature and the date at the bottom.

Here's an example of the basic format that I followed in writing the first part of my own Counterclaim, although mine was much longer:


(Click image for larger view.)



And here's the second page showing the format I followed in writing the demands for judgment for my Counterclaim:


(Click image for larger view.)


Notice that a certain style of writing is used in these legal documents.  For one thing, the words Plaintiff and Defendant are capitalized when used in place of names.  Also, do not use contractions in legal documents; that is, a contraction such as isn't should be written out as is not



As always, remember to check with a lawyer before filing your own Answer and Counterclaim. The information on this blog is not intended as legal advice.

If you're representing yourself, at the very least consult with a lawyer and/or refer to the Answer and Counterclaim form in LSNJ's Divorce in New Jersey: A Self-Help Guide.





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Step #2 - Defendant Files Answer & Counterclaim

DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.



QUICK LINKS

See LEGAL FORMS for direct links.




MORE INFORMATION


Congratulations.  You've received divorce papers from your spouse.

New Jersey law states that you, the defendant, must "answer" within 35 days.  This means that you must answer in writing.  You must file your paperwork with the court and send a copy to the plaintiff's attorney (or directly to the plaintiff, if he or she is a pro se litigant).

Refusing to file an answer is like forfeiting a game; if you refuse to play, your spouse may win by default, and the court may grant all of your spouse's demands.

Although Legal Services of New Jersey's Self-Help Guide is written for plaintiffs, it has a section on what plaintiffs should expect from defendants.  I suggest that you read it so that you'll know about the deadlines your spouse is hoping you'll miss and the papers your spouse is hoping you won't file.


LEGAL FORMS

Your response to the plaintiff's Complaint for Divorce must follow a certain format using legal forms.  Let's talk now about the paperwork that a defendant files:

First of all, each form must be typed or printed on 8 1/2" X 11" white paper only.  

Secondly, the following information is printed along the top of every form:
  1. Your name, address, telephone number, and which litigant you are (Defendant Pro Se)
  2. The names of the plaintiff and the defendant *
  3. The county court where the divorce was filed *
  4. Docket number *
* You should find the information for numbers 2, 3, and 4 on the plaintiff's Complaint for Divorce.


Here's an example of a typical page header:

(Click image for larger view.)


Now, here's a list of the legal forms I was instructed to use for my own caseRemember, your situation might require slightly different forms.  Click on each link below for more information and sample forms:



Always check first with your lawyer or the Family Division to find out which papers you should file.  I was responding to a divorce complaint based on irreconcilable differences.  Your circumstances might call for slightly different legal forms. 



FILING FEE / WAIVER

The paperwork alone isn't enough.  A filing fee is required, too.  The papers aren't considered "filed" if this fee isn't paid, unless a judge grants a filing fee waiver.  

Click on this link for more information:  





FILE PAPERS AT COURTHOUSE

Once the paperwork was ready, I had to make at least three copies.  

I had to keep one copy for myself.  

Then I had to bring the original, another copy, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and my filing fee to the courthouse.  You might have to turn in your paperwork to either the Family Intake Department or the cashier, depending on whether you owe a filing fee.  

At the courthouse where I go, the staff checks the paperwork to make sure everything is in order.  Then they stamp it "received."  However, "received" doesn't mean the paperwork has been "filed."  Later, they stamp it "filed" and mail the one copy to me in the self-addressed envelope I gave them.

Along with your paperwork, you also may need to file a Certification of Service.  


SERVE PAPERS

When I filed my papers at the courthouse and paid the fee, I also had to serve the plaintiff's lawyer with the papers, which simply means that I sent copies of my papers to the other party's lawyer.  (Do not serve the plaintiff directly unless he or she is self-representing.) 

Do NOT include a copy of your Confidential Litigant's Statement in the papers you serve upon the plaintiff's lawyer!

I served papers upon the plaintiff's attorney on the same day that I filed them at the courthouse.  

Serving your papers upon the lawyer via certified mail with return receipt requested is recommended so that you'll have proof of service from the post office.  Remember to include the tracking number and other information on your Certification of Service form.  

You might be required to also send papers via ordinary mail as well.  (See NJ Rule 5:4-4.)  Check with your lawyer or contact the Family Division to find out whether you need to mail your papers both ways.   
Legal Services of New Jersey gives instructions for plaintiffs serving defendants with papers.  Maybe defendants will find some of that information helpful, too.





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Step #1 - Plaintiff Files Complaint for Divorce


DISCLAIMER  The comments on this blog are the opinions of the blogger based on personal experience as a defendant in a divorce case.  Please note that the information here does not constitute legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  It is strongly recommended that you hire a family law attorney, licensed to practice in your state, to represent you and to help guide you through the complicated process of divorce.


PRINTABLE FORM
(Click below for PDF form on NJ Courts website.)


QUICK LINK
(Click below for instructions from LSNJ.)



MORE INFORMATION

Divorce cases are heard in a type of court known as Superior Court. There's a Superior Court in every county in New Jersey, and each one has a Family Division department that handles divorce cases. 

If you need to file for divorce and you have no legal representation, contact Legal Services of New Jersey.

Whoever files for divorce is the plaintiff.  Legal Services of New Jersey's Self-Help Guide provides easy instructions to plaintiffs on how to file for divorce.

If your spouse files for divorce before you do, then you're the defendant.  Your spouse (or his/her lawyer) filed the necessary papers at a courthouse and had copies delivered to you.  Here are the documents you probably received:


Summons

This paper informs you that your spouse has filed a lawsuit (divorce) against you.  It also gives you the name of the county where the lawsuit was filed.  It should state that you have 35 days to respond, and it should include a listing of offices for you to call for legal help.  Click here for a PDF of a Summons on the New Jersey State Judiciary website. 
 

Complaint for Divorce

This document is an outline of your spouse's case against you.  The Complaint for Divorce is filed based on grounds, such as irreconcilable differences.
In numbered paragraphs, the Complaint begins with basic information, such as the date of your marriage and the number of children you have together.  The paper goes on to explain your spouse's reasons for filing for divorce.  It ends with demands for judgments (in favor of your spouse, of course).
Don't be alarmed if your spouse demands that you cover his/her legal fees.  This request is standard.  You will make the same demand.


Affidavit of Insurance Disclosure

Another document you may have received from your spouse is an Affidavit of Insurance Disclosure which details "all known insurance coverage of the parties and their minor children.NJ Rule 5:4-2(f) requires each party to submit information about insurance coverage.

Other Papers

Still other pages will include certifications with your spouse's signature, essentially stating that he/she is telling the truth and understands what he/she is doing.


Filing Fee

In addition to the paperwork, the plaintiff had to remit a filing fee (unless he or she was granted a waiver).  You, the defendant, also will need to remit filing fees along with your paperwork. We'll talk more about fees and fee waivers at the next step.
The New Jersey Courts maintain a website called Represent Yourself in Court (Pro Se): Self-Help Resource Center.  On that page, there is a menu on the right with a link to Court Fees.  If you follow that link, you'll find fees listed for the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part
Filing fees also are listed under Rule 1:43 - Filing and Other Fees Established Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2B:1-7.  Click on the link and scroll down to Superior Court, Law Division, Chancery Part Family.
Of course, any fee is subject to change.  Contact the Family Division to make sure you understand which fee is required.



Legal Services of New Jersey's Self-Help Guide has an entire chapter on the legal papers a plaintiff must use to file for divorce.


*** IMPORTANT ***

The DEFENDANT must file an answer within 35 days at the same county courthouse where the PLAINTIFF filed for divorce.




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