“Can we Divorce without Splitting Assets?” – and other Popular Questions
Whether you’re divorcing in New York or New Jersey, you’ll have no end of questions. Choose your state below and find the answers you need.
Asset-sharing… Custody… Signatures… Lawyers… Serving Papers… State Laws…
You need a lot of information before you file for divorce
For over 40 years, we’ve been helping couples get a quick, affordable divorce out here on the east coast – in New York and New Jersey.
As you know, each state has its own divorce laws. So we’ve put together a set of Q&A for each. Just choose your state and you’ll find all the essential info:
Or click below for some general answers to our most common questions:
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The Divorce Center will type your divorce papers, according to your instructions, and file them with the court. You may wish to use a lawyer or mediator if you own a lot of property and can’t decide how to divide it, but that is very expensive.
Choose your state to find out more:
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We charge a flat fee of $499 to handle your divorce. It’s the same fee for NY and NJ, whether you call in to your local Divorce Center or file your application online. The court fee will be paid later, directly to the court.
In New York, it’s a standard $335 – and you may be exempt if you receive SSI or Public Assistance.
In New Jersey, everyone pays the court fee – $300 as standard, or $325 if you have dependent children.
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That’s for you and your spouse to decide – ideally, out of court!
Most divorces end with a fair division. It starts with who owned what before the marriage, and who’s created assets for you as a couple – but you should also consider how one of you supported the other, and the sources of other assets like money from an inheritance. If there’s a lot of money at stake, it can get complicated – even if there’s a written agreement like a prenup or postnup.
We encourage you to treat your spouse with respect and split your assets fairly. A good mediator will help you reach an agreement and keep your divorce out of court.
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You can start divorce proceedings without them knowing, but they will have to be notified before the divorce is granted. State procedures vary, so choose your state for more information:
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You can file for divorce right away, without your spouse’s signature. And if papers are served by a sheriff, their signature won’t be needed. Check your state for more information:
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Yes. Just answer a few questions and pay a $199 deposit, and our paralegals will write up your divorce papers. If they have any questions they’ll contact you, to make sure everything is correct and acceptable to the court. Typically, all this happens within one working day of your application, so we can send you the papers for immediate signature – then file them with the court.
Choose your state to get started:
