How Long Does Divorce Take in Bergen County, NJ? You’ll hear everything from “a few months” to “well over a year.” The truth is somewhere in the middle—and it depends on how quickly we can get good information on the table, how complex your finances and parenting issues are, and how efficiently we move through Bergen County’s court programs. We’ll guide you step‑by‑step through each milestone so you always know what’s next.
As your attorneys, our job is twofold: keep the case moving and protect what matters—your kids, your home, your income, and your peace of mind. Below, we’ll walk you through the typical sequence in New Jersey and where delays usually happen.
How Long Does Divorce Take in Bergen County, NJ? First fork in the road: uncontested vs. contested
If you and your spouse agree on all terms—grounds, property division, support, and parenting—a divorce can move briskly once paperwork is clean and complete. That’s often called uncontested. If there’s disagreement on money or parenting, you’re in contested territory, and the court will route you through structured settlement programs before any trial is scheduled. The Judiciary’s self‑help pages explain this basic divide and what each path entails.
Timeline, phase by phase (what actually happens)
1) Filing the case (days to a couple of weeks)
We prepare and file your Complaint for Divorce with the Family Division. New Jersey allows electronic submission through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system, which is available 24/7. Using JEDS keeps day‑one logistics fast and predictable.
Bottlenecks to avoid: incomplete forms and missing filing fees. JEDS gives us a straightforward path to submit everything at once and track receipt.
2) Service on your spouse and the 35‑day response window (weeks)
After filing, your spouse must be served properly (sheriff, process server, or a qualified adult). Once served, the defendant has 35 days to respond by Answer, Answer and Counterclaim, or Appearance. If there’s no response, we can discuss default procedures. The Judiciary’s self‑help page states the 35‑day deadline plainly; it’s the first hard timing rule you’ll hit.
If the other side never appears, New Jersey’s default process includes notice and a hearing; the Legal Services of New Jersey self‑help guide shows the sequence and the requirement to send a Notice of Proposed Final Judgment at least 20 days before the hearing.
Bottlenecks to avoid: difficulty locating a spouse for service, or informal “hand‑offs” that don’t meet legal standards. We’ll use the sheriff/process server and keep the proof of service clean so the 35‑day clock is unquestioned.
3) Early case management and financial disclosure (first 1–3 months)
Shortly after the case begins, you’ll complete the Family Part Case Information Statement (CIS)—your sworn, detailed budget, income, assets and debts—required by Rule 5:5‑2. We file the official CIS form (CN 10482) and use Appendix V instructions to keep everything consistent with what judges expect. Getting the CIS right is the best way to stay on schedule.
Bergen Family judges or staff will issue a Case Management Order that sets deadlines based on the track your case is assigned to—Expedited, Standard, Extended/Complex, or Priority if custody is in dispute. The court’s form Case Management Order shows these tracks and the discovery time frames (e.g., expedited discovery typically capped at 90 days).
Bottlenecks to avoid: a sloppy CIS, late tax returns, or incomplete bank/retirement records. Those errors reproduce themselves at every later step. We front‑load the work and fix gaps early.
4) Discovery (usually 90–120 days on standard tracks)
Discovery is where each side exchanges financials, answers interrogatories, and, if needed, schedules appraisals or business valuations. On Standard tracks, courts usually set ~120 days; Expedited tracks may be ~90 days; Complex or Priority cases get customized schedules. Your Case Management Order will specify your deadlines.
Bottlenecks to avoid: slow document production, unresponsive third parties (employers, banks), and late expert availability.
5) Settlement programs: ESP and Economic Mediation (months 4–9, depending on track)
If money issues remain, your case will be scheduled for the Early Settlement Panel (ESP). Two experienced family lawyers volunteer to evaluate the case and make a confidential, non‑binding recommendation—an invaluable reality check.
If you don’t settle at ESP, you’ll be referred to Economic Mediation. Here’s a key timing and cost fact: when you use a mediator from the court’s roster, the first two hours are free (including one hour of prep and one hour of session). After that, the mediator charges their posted rate. The Judiciary repeats this “first two hours free” rule in multiple places, including its compensation guidelines and FAQs. Many Bergen cases settle here or shortly after.
Bottlenecks to avoid: going into ESP or mediation without updated CIS documents or realistic proposals. We prepare thoroughly so those sessions move the ball, not just mark time.
6) Parenting issues and court‑connected tools (on a separate—but parallel—track)
When custody or parenting time is genuinely disputed, the court often sends parents to parenting‑time mediation (screened for safety; it’s separate from money issues). In higher‑conflict matters post‑judgment, the court can use the Parenting Coordinator Program to help implement parenting plans and reduce day‑to‑day friction. If you have children, you may also encounter the Parents’ Education Program under the Parents’ Education Act. These programs can resolve issues that otherwise extend your timeline.
7) Intensive Settlement Conference and, if necessary, trial (late stage)
When issues remain after mediation, the court may set an Intensive Settlement Conference—a focused, all‑day push to resolve the case. If you still can’t settle, the court schedules a bench trial. Trial dates depend on judicial calendars and case complexity; this is where timelines can stretch.
8) Final Judgment of Divorce—and post‑judgment “to‑dos”
If you settle, we submit a Marital Settlement Agreement and the court enters a Final Judgment of Divorce. If you tried the case, the judgment embodies the court’s decision. Post‑judgment items—like dividing retirement plans—can take additional time. For example, 401(k)s and pensions require a QDRO (a specialized order plan administrators must “qualify” before paying). The U.S. Department of Labor’s QDRO guides explain why this step matters and why handling it early prevents months of delay after judgment.
What this looks like in real life (typical ranges—not promises)
- Uncontested: When both sides are aligned and paperwork is clean, a Bergen County uncontested divorce can move in a few months once service, CIS, and settlement papers are in order. How fast it goes depends on document readiness and docket flow; there’s no guaranteed clock.
- Contested with focused settlement: Cases that exchange documents promptly and make good use of ESP and Economic Mediation often resolve in the mid‑months of the case lifecycle—frequently before anyone needs a trial date. The “first two hours free” of economic mediation is a real accelerator if you arrive prepared.
- Contested with complex issues: Business valuations, custody evaluations, or multiple experts naturally extend the discovery period and push ESP/mediation later. Discovery timing is governed by your Case Management Order (tracks like 90/120 days, or custom schedules for complex/priority matters).
Our commitment: we’ll be honest about your unique timeline after we review your facts, because the “how long” answer means very little until we know what’s on your balance sheet and in your parenting plan.
Top bottlenecks—and how we keep you out of them
Incomplete or inconsistent financials
A CIS that doesn’t match paystubs, tax returns, or bank statements triggers delays at every turn. We build your CIS from source documents and update it as circumstances change so judges and mediators see a current, accurate picture.
Service problems
If service is botched, nothing else moves. We use the sheriff or a professional process server and keep clean proofs of service, so the 35‑day clock is enforceable. 
Missed settlement opportunities
Skipping preparation for ESP or Economic Mediation wastes months. We enter those sessions with updated CIS schedules and proposals tied to statute and guidelines. The court’s roster mediation program (with the first two hours free) is designed to help you resolve financial issues efficiently.
Parenting disputes stuck in the wrong lane
When parenting conflict derails timelines, court‑connected parenting‑time mediation and, where appropriate, the Parenting Coordinator Program can resolve day‑to‑day issues that otherwise clog your docket. We’ll ask for those tools when they’ll help.
Post‑judgment loose ends
Retirement divisions without QDROs can stall for months after your “final” day in court. We flag needed QDROs before the judgment so they’re drafted, approved, and submitted to plan administrators promptly.
Bergen County touchpoints you’ll actually see
You’ll have appearances and filings connected to the Bergen County Justice Center. The vicinage site lists Family Division contact information and helpful logistics. Many filings can be submitted electronically via JEDS, and parenting programs and mediation referrals are coordinated through the local Family Division.
What you can do this week to shorten your timeline
- Collect core documents. Two years of tax returns, recent paystubs, and the latest bank/retirement statements get your CIS right the first time. Use the official CN 10482 form and Appendix V instructions so nothing is missed.
- Decide on a parenting week. If kids are involved, sketch a schedule around school, homework, and activities; it makes custody/parenting mediation faster and more productive. The Judiciary’s parenting‑time mediation overview shows how the program works.
- Be ready for settlement programs. We’ll prepare a candid proposal for ESP, and—if needed—book an economic mediator from the court’s roster to take advantage of the two free hours that many cases need to cross the finish line.
Frequently asked divorce timing questions
Can an uncontested divorce be finalized quickly?
Yes—once service is complete, paperwork is accurate, and the judge has what’s required. There’s no fixed guarantee, but uncontested matters can move in a matter of months when the file is clean.
What happens if my spouse doesn’t respond?
If 35 days pass without an Answer/Appearance, we can pursue a default path. The self‑help materials explain notice and the default hearing process (including the Notice of Proposed Final Judgment timing).
Is mediation required?
Financially contested cases go to ESP, and if still unresolved, to Economic Mediation. The first two hours of roster mediation are free under Judiciary guidelines. Parenting‑time disputes may be sent to mediation as well, screened for safety.
How long is discovery?
Your Case Management Order sets it. Standard tracks often use ~120 days, expedited ~90 days, and complex/priority cases get custom schedules—especially when custody is in dispute.
Final thoughts—from your Bergen County divorce team
Timelines don’t have to be a mystery. When we prepare your CIS carefully, serve properly, and lean into ESP and mediation with the right documents and proposals, cases move. When emergencies or complex issues arise, we use the court’s tools to keep momentum without sacrificing your goals.
If you’re ready to map your timeline, we’ll sit down, review your facts, and build an action plan that fits your life—not the other way around.
Legal Notice
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every case is different. If you have questions about your situation, contact us for a confidential consultation.