In New Jersey, you don’t need to file anything — but you should have a well thought-out plan.
(name changed for privacy)
His wife had always been controlling.
She was charming in public, but unpredictable and manipulative behind closed doors.
Classic narcissistic traits.
Charles just wanted to create some space without starting a war.
So he moved out.
Quietly.
Respectfully.
No lawyers.
No court filings.
Just a short-term winter rental nearby in Sea Bright, right on the Ocean.
But within weeks, she flipped the script:
Got a Court order freezing their joint accounts
Told friends that Charles had “abandoned” her and their kids
Took control of their kids’ schedule
All because Charles didn’t realize how separation could work in New Jersey if one's spouse totally controls the narrative.
He didn't understand the dynamic of what he was about to get into.
He didn't prepare properly.
He learned that in New Jersey, there’s no formal process for legal separation.
No forms
No filings
No court orders
He learned that while he can separate informally today, what he does right now can impact his finances, custody of his kids, and any future leverage that he might need.
He read my course material for a few days and then he hired my firm to represent him.
10 months later Charles was divorced with what he feels is a fair resolution of all financial issues and child-related issues.
No.
Like Charles, you need a strategy.
I’m Steve Kaplan, 
a divorce attorney in Monmouth County with 37+ years of experience.
It’s called Steve Kaplan’s Divorce Course.
It’s free, private, and focused on helping you think clearly, even if your situation feels overwhelming.
Here's a preview of the first lesson:
"A very nice woman (let's call her "Susan"), who was frightened out of her mind, hired me recently.
She had just been informed an hour earlier that her husband hired a divorce lawyer, filed for divorce, and that her divorce case was scheduled for TRIAL in 2 days!
The email from the husband's lawyer gave her the address of the Courthouse, but told her that she "...really didn't need to appear in Court."
That is not the way it is supposed to work.
After listening to her tell her panicked story, I told her that SHE WAS NOT PROPERLY SERVED with NJ Divorce Papers and that I would take care of it for her.
We fixed the problem for her. She's fine now.
She calmed down.
I then told her how the system is supposed to work.
Afterwards, I thought that it might be helpful if I would repeat what I told her here to help others understand the New Jersey divorce process.
So, here's an overview of how the NJ divorce process is generally supposed to work..."
If you sign up for my free course, you'll immediately be able to read the rest of this really helpful article.
The article is filled with links to virtually any area of divorce law in New Jersey that you might want to learn about.
You really should sign up. If you've read this far, it's kind of "a no brainer".
But if you're still not certain, before you decide whether my course is for you, read this excerpt from another article.
This article is called, "How I Help People Like You in Monmouth County Take Back Control".
It starts like this:
"You didn’t expect to be here, at this crossroads, typing questions into Google, trying to make sense of your future.
Most of the people I work with didn’t either.
They’re not looking to "win" a divorce.
They're looking to stop the chaos, get their head clear, and protect what matters most: usually their kids, their finances, and their peace of mind.
I’m Steve Kaplan, a divorce lawyer in Monmouth County for over 37 years.
I help people who feel emotionally overwhelmed take back control of their lives, one smart decision at a time..."
Would you like to read the rest of that article now?
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF MY SECOND ARTICLE
Now doesn't that sound like a smart way to approach your possible separation from your spouse?
My NJ Divorce Course will walk you through exactly what to do, and what not to do, if you’re considering separation in Monmouth County.
You’ll learn:
It’s private.
It’s practical.
And it starts the moment you enter your email.
No name required.
If you want to discontinue at any time (for example, perhaps you and your spouse reconcile) I make it simple for you to stop the course quickly.
One click on an obvious link does it easily and immediately.
You'll never hear from me again (ie, you won't have to worry about your spouse seeing an unexpected email from me in the future).
And no one other than me will ever know that you had signed up for the course.
I promise.
But that rarely happens.
Because my material is really helpful to people considering divorce.
It is, indeed, a lot of work.
But it's truly a labor of love for me.
I like helping people.
And it's also great for business, because many people get so much value that if they end up needing a divorce lawyer, they hire me (because they already know that they can trust me).
As it turns out, many of my new client referrals come from people who took this course and either hired me (or ended up wishing that they had).
If you’re thinking about separation, this is an opportunity to learn how to do it right.
You need facts, strategy, and reliable guidance.
Join the over 5,000 New Jersey residents (mostly Monmouth County) who I have already helped.
You’ll feel more confident by the time you finish the first lesson, which takes less than 10 minutes.
Just enter your email in the form on this page to begin now.
I'm looking forward to helping you!
Until next time,
Steve
Steven J. Kaplan, Esq.
Specializing in Divorce in Monmouth County
5 Professional Circle
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
(732) 845-9010
www.KaplanDivorce.com
