Bergen County Divorce Resources can feel scattered when you’re already juggling kids, work, and court dates. We put this list together so you can move from “Where do I start?” to “Here’s my plan.” It’s the same short list we hand to our own clients—practical, vetted, and focused on what actually helps during a New Jersey divorce.
If you’re working with Sammarro & Zalarick, we’ll weave these tools into your strategy: stabilizing your week, keeping communication constructive, and documenting what the Bergen Family Part needs to see. And because so much of your life happens outside the courthouse, we’ve included mental‑health, parenting, and day‑to‑day support you can use right away. For orientation, your case is heard at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack.
Before Anything Else: Safety & Crisis Numbers
If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential emotional support any time, use:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, or chat online. It’s 24/7 and free.
- Bergen County Psychiatric Emergency Screening (CarePlus/NBMC) — 201‑262‑HELP (4357), 24/7 crisis screening for mental‑health emergencies.
- Domestic Violence (Bergen—Center for Hope & Safety) — 201‑944‑9600 (24/7 hotline).
- Domestic Violence (Bergen County ADV—County program) — 201‑336‑7575 (24/7), legal advocacy & safety planning.
- NJ Statewide DV Hotline — 1‑800‑572‑SAFE (7233).
Save these in your phone. Even if you never need them, a friend might.
Bergen County Divorce Resources: Therapists & Counseling
A good counselor is often the difference between “reacting” and “choosing.” You don’t need a years‑long commitment; you need the right fit for the phase you’re in.
How to find a qualified therapist—fast
Start with professional locators that verify credentials and let you filter by insurance, specialty, and telehealth:
- AAMFT Therapist Locator — marriage & family therapists trained in systemic work with couples and families.
- APA Psychologist Locator — licensed psychologists searchable by city/ZIP and specialty.
- New Jersey Psychological Association — statewide hub with “Find a Psychologist” access and regional affiliates.
- Psychology Today directory — broad listing of licensed mental‑health providers in NJ (helpful for quick availability checks).
Local, low‑cost options
If fees are a concern, look at community providers:
- Bergen Family Center (Englewood) — longstanding nonprofit with counseling and family support; ask about sliding‑scale programs.
- Bergen County Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services — county hub that connects residents to treatment regardless of ability to pay.
- NJ 211 — one call/website to get county‑specific referrals for counseling, support, housing, food, and more.
For kids & teens
When a child is struggling, PerformCare is New Jersey’s 24/7 entry point for behavioral‑health services and Mobile Response at home: 1‑877‑652‑7624. It’s statewide and can deploy help within hours.
Bergen County Divorce Resources: Co‑Parenting Apps That Courts Understand
You don’t have to guess how to keep communication civil. The right app creates a single, timestamped record—messages, calendar, expenses—that can cool conflict and cut through he‑said/she‑said.
OurFamilyWizard
Purpose‑built for co‑parenting, with a shared calendar, expense tracking, an “Info Bank,” and optional ToneMeter to flag inflammatory language before you hit send. Records are tamper‑resistant.
TalkingParents
Secure messaging with read receipts, Unalterable Records, shared calendar, file vault, and optional recorded/transcribed calling. Offers a free web plan and paid app tiers.
AppClose
Robust free option with real‑time messaging, scheduling, expense tracking, and payments; can generate records for court or professionals (with consent).
Our Family Part judges sometimes direct parents to communicate via a structured app or through a Parenting Coordinator in higher‑conflict cases. If your order mentions a specific platform or coordinator, follow it exactly.
Practical tip: Pick one app and stick to it. Name exchanges “School Lot—Door 3,” attach PDFs of doctor visits, and keep tones short and businesslike. The cleaner the log, the easier it is to resolve disputes.
Bergen County Divorce Resources: Support Groups You Can Join This Week
When your circle is tired of hearing about the divorce, a room (or Zoom) full of people on the same road can keep you steady.
Divorce‑specific
DivorceCare runs peer‑support groups across New Jersey; search by ZIP to find evenings near you (many in North Jersey and the Meadowlands area). Join at any point in the cycle.
Mental‑health & caregiving
NAMI Greater Bergen offers free education and support groups for individuals and families; check schedules for Connection and Family groups.
When alcohol or substance use is in the mix
If a loved one’s drinking is fueling conflict, Al‑Anon and Alateen have North Jersey meetings (in‑person and virtual). Use the official meeting locators to filter by county.
Parenting support
Statewide programs run free, professionally facilitated groups for parents—handy during custody transitions. Look at Parents Inc. (Parents Anonymous of NJ) for meeting options and a 24/7 helpline.
Domestic‑violence specific
If control, threats, or harm are present, reach out to Center for Hope & Safety (Bergen) or Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) for counseling, legal advocacy, and shelter navigation. Both have 24/7 hotlines listed above.
Extra Bergen‑Friendly Helps (Because Life Keeps Going)
Childcare & camps while you mediate or attend court
The Bergen County Division of Child Care Resources is the official Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) for our county. They’ll help you find regulated care, explain subsidies, and steer you to after‑school programs.
Health insurance after separation
If coverage is changing, explore GetCoveredNJ, the state’s insurance marketplace, for plans and subsidies during open enrollment or qualifying events.
Child support information
Check payment status, mobile app options, and notices through NJ Child Support (NJKiDS), and see the Judiciary’s child‑support page for procedures.
General county navigation
When in doubt, start with NJ 211. A specialist will point you to local food, housing, legal, and counseling resources—especially helpful if finances are tight during the case.
How We Use These With Clients (Our Playbook)
We start with your week—school, work, exchanges, homework—and pick a single co‑parenting app to centralize the calendar and messages. We’ll show you how to communicate like a pro: short notes, proposals instead of demands, and polite “confirming” messages that double as evidence if we need them. If a judge later wants records, we’ll export exactly what the court expects, cleanly.
On the mental‑health side, we help you find a therapist who “fits”—someone familiar with divorce dynamics and co‑parenting stress. If a child needs help, we’ll coach you through contacting PerformCare, then make sure the schedule supports counseling and activities without constant reshuffling.
When safety is an issue, we move fast. If you need a restraining order or safety planning, we’ll coordinate with ADV or Center for Hope & Safety while handling the court side here in Hackensack.
Frequently Asked (Practical) Questions
Should I tell the judge I’m using a co‑parenting app?
Usually the better path is to use it well and let the record speak for itself. If we need a court order directing app communication—or adding a Parenting Coordinator—we’ll ask.
We can’t afford weekly therapy right now—what else helps?
Try a mix: community counseling at Bergen Family Center, a free support group (NAMI, DivorceCare), and crisis lines if a tough moment hits at 10 p.m. You can layer in private therapy once finances settle.
What if our child has a blow‑up during exchanges?
If it’s a true behavioral health crisis, call 1‑877‑652‑7624 (PerformCare) for Mobile Response. They can come to your home or meet you to stabilize the moment, often within an hour.
Where do I go for court?
The Bergen County Justice Center at 10 Main Street, Hackensack. Your notices will specify time, room, and whether a virtual appearance is allowed.
Final Word—from Your Bergen County Family Law Team
You don’t need to do everything at once. Pick one therapist to call, choose one co‑parenting app, and try one group. Small, steady moves reduce conflict and make your case easier to resolve—on your terms.
If you’re ready for a plan tailored to your family, Sammarro & Zalarick can help you connect these resources to clear legal next steps. Our job is to simplify the process so you can focus on rebuilding.
Important Notes & Disclaimers
We don’t receive anything of value from the resources listed above and we’re not endorsing any specific provider. Emergency, counseling, and legal options change—always confirm hours, availability, and insurance. This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different; contact us for a confidential consultation.