If you are preparing to go through a divorce in 2026, you are not alone. From the holidays to New Year’s resolutions, this is a time of year when many people reflect on what they want out of life and how their relationships are (or aren’t) meeting their needs. If you have decided that you are ready to move on from your marriage, there are some steps that you can (and should) take to prepare. Learn more from an experienced Vineland divorce lawyer.
Preparing to Navigate the Divorce Process in New Jersey
Once you decide that you are ready to get divorced, it’s best to go ahead and start your preparations. While none of the steps involved in preparing for a divorce are particularly difficult, some can take time, and giving yourself the time you need can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
For example, if you have decided that you are ready to file for divorce in New Jersey, you should:
1. Start Gathering Relevant Documents
To get divorced, you will need several forms of documentation. While this includes forms and other legal documents that your divorce lawyer will help you complete (or handle for you), it also includes documents that you currently have in your possession. Some examples of the documents you will need to collect include:
- Paystubs and W-2s or 1099s
- Business income records (if you own a business)
- Real estate deeds
- Titles for cars, boats, trailers, and other titled property
- Bank account statements
- Retirement and investment account statements
- Credit card statements, mortgage statements, and records of other debts
It can be helpful to make copies of these documents and keep them in a file you will share with your divorce lawyer. You can either create hard copies or electronic copies, whichever you prefer. If it takes you a while to track down any of these documents, it can be helpful to note where the originals are located as well.
2. Create a List of Your Assets
Divorcing spouses in New Jersey are required to divide their “marital” assets based on what is equitable under the circumstances of their divorce. However, subject to certain exceptions, each spouse’s “separate” assets are that spouse’s property to keep.
With this in mind, another important step in preparing for a divorce is to create a list of assets. You should try to write down everything you own—from your home and furniture to your bank accounts and digital libraries. Next to each asset that you list, note whether it was acquired before or during your marriage. For any assets acquired before your marriage, write down whether they belonged to you or your spouse.
3. Think About Your Post-Divorce Needs
Regardless of whether you currently rely on your spouse’s income, your financial circumstances could be very different after your divorce. You and your (former) spouse will both have housing and other expenses, so there will be less discretionary funds to go around.
Given this, you should carefully consider your post-divorce needs. Do your best to create a budget and consider whether you (or your spouse) might need financial support during the divorce process.
4. Think About Your Priorities (and Your Spouse’s Priorities)
Along with considering your needs, you should also begin thinking about your priorities. Which assets do you most want to keep? If you have minor children from your marriage, what are your goals regarding parenting time after your divorce? These are important questions, and you will want to give yourself time and space to think them through carefully.
In this same vein, you should also think about your spouse’s priorities. Where are you likely to have common ground? Where are your priorities likely to conflict? These are important questions as well, and they will help inform how you approach the divorce process.
5. Learn About Your Options
Speaking of how you will approach the divorce process, there are several options available in New Jersey. While many couples can resolve their differences on their own with the help of their respective divorce lawyers, mediation and collaborative divorce can also be desirable options in many cases.
Divorcing spouses have several options when it comes to dividing their assets, establishing parenting time, establishing financial support, and other aspects of going through a divorce as well. You can find more information on our blog, and one of our divorce lawyers will be more than happy to discuss your options with you in detail.
6. Focus on Your Individual Circumstances
While you can find a lot of opinions and advice about getting divorced online, it is important to focus on your individual circumstances. Every couple’s circumstances are unique, and each state’s divorce laws are different. Just because something worked (or didn’t work) for someone else, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your divorce will have the same outcome. By focusing on your personal priorities and needs, you can develop an approach that serves your best interests in the long term.
7. Seek Advice Early in the Process
Finally, while these are all steps that you can start taking on your own, it is important to seek advice early in the process. Since your individual circumstances are unique, you need to ensure you make informed decisions based on the specific circumstances at hand. By engaging an experienced Vineland divorce lawyer to advise you during your preparations, you can help ensure that you are on the right path and that you will be prepared to navigate the divorce process as efficiently and successfully as possible.
Schedule a Confidential Initial Consultation with a Vineland Divorce Lawyer Today
Are you preparing for a divorce in 2026? If so, we strongly encourage you to contact us for more information. To schedule a confidential initial consultation with an experienced Vineland divorce lawyer, please call 877-435-6371 or inquire online today.
