Divorce & Family Law Insights — Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C. Firm News & Events

Can I File for Divorce in New Jersey If I Was Married Somewhere Else?

Published on: March 2, 2026 | by James McGlew, II

One of the most common concerns people raise when considering divorce is whether the location of their marriage limits where they can file for divorce. This question often arises for couples who married out of state, married abroad, or relocated years after their wedding.

This is an understandable concern that I often hear in my practice. Going through a divorce is an already uncertain experience for clients, and misinformation about jurisdiction can create unnecessary stress. Fortunately, New Jersey law is clear on this issue: where you were married usually does not determine where you may file for divorce.

What matters instead is whether the New Jersey court has legal authority over the case.

Do Most Divorce Cases Go to Trial in New Jersey?

Published on: February 16, 2026 | by James McGlew, II

Many people contemplating divorce assume that to separate from their spouse they will need to participate in a courtroom trial. The thought of a “divorce trial” is often reinforced by television, social media, and stories passed down from prior generations. In reality this is no longer how divorce works in New Jersey today.

Over the past several decades, particularly since the 1980s and through significant procedural and statutory reforms in the 2000s and 2010s, New Jersey’s family court system has shifted away from routine trials. Courts now place strong emphasis on settlement, structured negotiation, and practical resolution.

Understanding this reality can help to reduce a divorce client’s anxiety and help them approach the divorce process with clearer expectations.

Common Divorce Myths in New Jersey: What the Law Really Says

Published on: February 2, 2026 | by James McGlew, II

When someone is considering divorce, misinformation often creates unnecessary fear. Social media, online forums, and well-meaning friends frequently repeat outdated or incorrect assumptions about how divorce works in New Jersey. The result is confusion, increased anxiety, and poor decision-making at a time when clarity matters most.

Over the past several decades, particularly since the 1980s and accelerating through statutory reforms in the 2000s and 2010s, New Jersey divorce law has evolved significantly. For people in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s, much of what they “know” about divorce is often based on how divorces worked for their parents or grandparents. Courts today place far greater emphasis on settlement, fairness, and practical outcomes, rather than rigid rules or outdated assumptions. Yet many myths persist, often making an already difficult process more stressful than necessary.

Below are some of the most common misunderstandings and what New Jersey law actually requires.

The Crucial Role Parenting Coordinators Play in Helping Former Spouses Co-Parent Effectively

Published on: December 17, 2024 | by Nicole A. Kobis

For spouses who have made the decision to divorce, the emotional toll placed on them and their children can be quite challenging. One of the most consequential matters that must be decided will be how both parents address raising their children once they have separated. Common parenting issues include visitation and custody arrangements, differing parenting styles, discipline, education and the introduction of new parental relationships. Navigating these issues either during the divorce process or in the months and years after can be daunting and not easily remedied. These issues often require careful management and, in some cases, professional support, to ensure that the best interests of the children are prioritized.

For individuals who find it impossible to resolve disputes regarding their children amongst themselves, or for those who cannot effectively co-parent and work together to ensure their children’s best interests are met, the appointment of a parenting coordinator may prove to be a helpful tool.

Parenting coordinators are neutral third parties, typically attorneys, appointed by the court to assist parents in implementing agreed upon or court-ordered parenting plans and navigate issues that arise in the day to day life of raising a child. The appointment of a parenting coordinator can prove to be especially important in high conflict scenarios when the disdain toward a former spouse may cloud each party’s ability to do what is best for their children.

Five Tips for Successful Co-Parenting

Published on: May 15, 2023 | by Nicole A. Kobis

Co-parenting can be a challenging but rewarding journey for both parents and children. Whether you’re co-parenting after a divorce, separation, or just sharing the responsibility of raising a child, it’s essential to establish a healthy co-parenting relationship to ensure the well-being of your child.

Five Tips for Successful Co-Parenting:

Communication is Key

What Divorcing Parents of Special Needs Children Need To Know

Published on: November 2, 2022 | by Nicole A. Kobis and Elizabeth Candido Petite

Divorcing parents of minor children are faced with many hard decisions that must be addressed while separating. These considerations include resolving custody, parenting time and support for their children, which are often much harder and more emotionally charged than the issues involving dividing assets and calculating financial support between spouses. When there’s a child with special needs in the family, there are additional decisions to be made surrounding their continued care, often well past the time that other children would be deemed to be emancipated, and the finances surrounding the support they’re receiving. Special needs children are best served when their parents fully address these issues during the divorce proceeding and are able to focus on the best interests of the children, and the divorcing parents are best served by attorneys who fully understand the issues and can offer practical solutions based on the specific circumstances.

Child Support

In any divorce involving children, the parties need to resolve custody, which involves both the legal and physical sharing of their children. In most cases, parties will agree or a court will order that the parties share joint legal custody of their children. Joint legal custody generally means joint decision making for all major decisions in a child’s life. These major decisions typically fall into three larger categories, which are the child’s: (1) health, (2) education, and (3) well being. For example, both parties would need to participate in the decision-making process and agree on whether the child will attend public or private school or whether the child will have their tonsils removed on a nonemergency basis. If parents are unable to agree on these decisions, they can enlist the help of attorneys, mediators or the court, who will help decide these issues with or for them. For parents of a child with special needs these decisions may involve the continuation of certain therapies or treatments or their continued care if they’re no longer able to reside at home.

Confidentiality and Privilege in the Mediation Process

Published on: October 26, 2022 | by Nicole A. Kobis and Honorable Katherine Dupuis, (Ret.)

Imagine you attended a mediation in a hotly contested matter which turns out to be a total waste of time because your adversary was late, unfamiliar with the file or unwilling to entertain settlement discussions. Is it permissible to tell the trial judge about your adversary’s failure to act in good faith? What if you are able to reach an agreement but one side later refuses to acknowledge that agreement? Is there any recourse?

Imagine you participate in a mediation which is unsuccessful. Your adversary files a motion wherein it is disclosed that your client was willing to waive alimony at mediation. You, of course, are furious at this misrepresentation because that is only part of the story. What has been omitted is that your client was only wiling to waive alimony in exchange for receiving 100% of the property in equitable distribution. How do you respond?

The General Rule

Nicole A. Kobis, Esq. featured in Lawline’s Lawyers Who Lead Podcast

Published on: August 23, 2022 | by Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C.

Be open and listen. The skill of opening the ears, putting down the phone, and actually listening is something that we all can work on…

Nicole A. Kobis, Esq., partner in Lindabury’s Divorce and Family Law Practice Group, discusses her thoughts on how to lead and succeed in today’s constantly evolving world as a featured guest on Lawline’s Lawyers Who Lead Podcast, with host Sigalle Barness.

Karolina Dehnhard Speaks to the New Jersey Morning Show About Efforts to Help the Ukrainian Orphan Issue in Poland

Published on: April 8, 2022 | by Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C.

While the war in Ukraine rages on, Good Samaritans are doing everything they can to help its people. Karolina A. Dehnhard, partner in Lindabury’s Family Law Group, speaks about her involvement with efforts to help Ukrainian orphans in Poland as a return guest on the New Jersey Morning Show.

As a Divorce Lawyer, I deal with family law issues all the time and some of the sensitive issues the we deal with are those of children, parenting, adoption, what happens with the kids. Imagine how lucky children are when they have even one parent. Now think about a situation where you have hundreds, if not, thousands of children living in over 650 orphanages in Ukraine, some of which have now been destroyed by the war, who have no one. So what we found over the last several weeks, is that many of these orphans have come into Poland and are now in our orphanages or care centers in our country but with that comes all these questions. Who’s responsible for these kids? Where’s the jurisdiction? Is it with Ukraine? Is it with Poland? We have now learned that adoptions have been suspended until the Russian war is over. So there are so many things to talk about, and one of the things we are going to do as lawyers, as judges, as philanthropists, is heading over there to lend a helping hand.

The Impact of Divorce on Estate Planning and Wealth Management – Webinar

Published on: March 17, 2022 | by Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C.