You need to be lawfully married. New Jersey allows people to file for a divorce in the State of New Jersey if they are lawfully married. You can file for divorce in New Jersey even if your marriage ceremony took place outside of New Jersey. It does not matter if your marriage ceremony took place in New Jersey, or in any other State in the United States, or even in another country, so long as your marriage is recognized as a lawful marriage in New Jersey.
You and/or your spouse must satisfy the “residency requirements.”
You must have a “ground” (a legally acceptable reason) to end your marriage.
File an uncontested or contested divorce. You determine if you and your spouse can agree on the terms of your divorce (and be able to file for an “uncontested” divorce), or if you disagree and will be having a “contested” divorce.
Distribute joint marital property. If you and your spouse have any joint marital property (assets or debts) they can be divided in your divorce.
The payment of spousal support, if requested by either spouse, can be included in your divorce.
Resolve child custody, visitation and child support if there are minor children. If you and your spouse have minor children from your marriage, the issues of child custody, visitation and child support can be included in your divorce.
