New Jersey parents who are ending their marriages should be aware of the various ways in which prolonging the breakup can affect their children. While most children experience emotional upheaval during divorce proceedings, there are some things parents can do to minimize the disturbance. The most important thing to remember is that children deserve clear and concise answers about the state of their parents' marriage so they can process the information and move on.
When can a custody order be modified in New Jersey?
If you are divorced, your life has likely changed since the divorce became final. Since that time, you may have remarried, changed jobs or experienced other significant changes. If you have children, you may find that your custody order is no longer a good fit for your or your child's life. Fortunately, the custody order can be modified in two ways in New Jersey.
Filing joint or separate returns during divorce
One thing divorcing couples in New Jersey need to consider is whether they will file their income taxes jointly or separately for the last year of marriage. A person's tax status is determined as of the last day of the filing year, so those whose divorces have not been finalized as of Dec. 31 are still considered "married" for income tax purposes. There are reasons for and against filing taxes in both ways for the final year of marriage.
Understanding finances during divorce
Some people in New Jersey who are divorcing may have never dealt with the family finances or may not know much about them. Even financially savvy people might benefit from the assistance of a financial planner at such a time. A financial planner may be able to address and assist with a number of unique situations that may arise during the proceedings.
