The dissolution of a marriage is stressful enough, that is why it is important to choose one of the best divorce lawyers in NJ to handle your divorce case. Your divorce lawyer should be qualified, experienced, and reasonable.
NJ Divorce Lawyer Qualifications
At the most basic level, the person you choose to represent you in a divorce case needs to be qualified as a lawyer. All lawyers must be licensed to practice law in the state of New Jersey. In order to be licensed, a lawyer must graduate from a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association, pass a professional responsibility exam, pass the New Jersey Bar Exam, and receive a Certification of Character.
New Jersey Divorce Lawyer Experience
There are tens of thousands of lawyers in New Jersey, how do you know which one to choose? While some lawyers have a general law practice, meaning that they handle multiple types of legal cases, many lawyers tend to specialize in a particular area of the law and devote their law practice to that type of case. Divorces cases, sometimes called matrimonial cases, fall under the umbrella term of family law. Choosing an experienced matrimonial attorney to handle your divorce case makes good sense, and asking the attorney you are considering about their experience handling divorce cases is a must.
Benefits of Choosing a New Jersey Certified Matrimonial Attorney
The Supreme Court of New Jersey has made the process of selecting an experienced matrimonial attorney easier for divorcing spouses by recognizing select lawyers who meet strict criteria as Certified Matrimonial Attorneys.
To be a certified matrimonial attorney in New Jersey, the attorney must meet strict criteria with respect to their education, knowledge, and skill. Those areas are demonstrated to the Court through an extensive application process.
In particular, the criteria to be considered for the certification include:
- Membership in the New Jersey Bar for more than 5 years in good standing
- Completing all continuing legal education requirements
- Documentation of substantial experience in matrimonial law
- Favorable evaluations by judges and peers
- Passing a written examination of matrimonial law
Choosing a Certified Matrimonial Attorney allows a client to know that an attorney that has significant experience and expertise in the divorce process is representing them.
Reasonable
Handling a legal matter is rarely inexpensive, but the divorce lawyer you choose should be upfront about the costs associated with your divorce process and explain any options you have to minimize your costs. In divorce cases in particular, your lawyer should always explore the option of settlement before trial if at all possible as a way to reduce your costs while still getting you a satisfactory resolution.
Peter Van Aulen has be certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Matrimonial Attorney, one of a small number of New Jersey attorneys who meet the requirements. His experience includes over 23 years of handling family law cases, including numerous divorce cases, including child custody, child support, and alimony. The Law Offices of Peter Van Aulen offer a free initial consultation in office to discuss your case.