Passaic County has stayed all further divorce proceedings. A stay is a court ruling that halts any further legal processes in a trial. Judges often order them in individual proceedings. However, Passaic County has recently stayed all divorce proceedings. This means the court will not be holding any more hearings or trials regarding divorce.
Essex County has yet to announce a stay, but many members of the legal community predict Essex isn’t far behind.
What does this mean for people who want a divorce?
If you are in the middle of a divorce or are contemplating a divorce and you live in Passaic County you now have two options:
One: Stay married.
You can still file a divorce in Passaic County, but your case will not progress. You will just sit in limbo, waiting for the stay to be lifted. This is not a good option for most people. If you’ve made the decision to divorce, it’s time to move on with your life.
Two: Try to complete your divorce outside the court system through alternative means, like mediation.
Mediation is an alternative form of dispute resolution. It allows parties to negotiate outside of the courtroom to find mutually agreeable solutions to all of the issues in their divorce, including:
- Custody arrangements
- Child support
- Spousal support/alimony
- Property division
Many people find it to be a less contentious way to end their marriages. This can be extremely beneficial, especially when minor children are involved. It is also often faster and most cost-efficient. It also happens to be one of the only ways to get divorced in Passaic County while the stay is in place.
If you live in Passaic County and are planning a divorce, or are in the middle of a divorce, mediation may be the only way to get it done.