When your marriage is ending, the right divorce lawyer in Hackensack does far more than file paperwork. At Cowen & Jacobs, a women-owned family law firm, we guide clients through divorce, child custody, support, and property division for families across Hackensack and Bergen County. Our office sits at Court Plaza South on Main Street, a short walk from the Bergen County Justice Center at 10 Main Street, where your case will be decided.
For more than 35 years, partners Barbara Cowen and Sara Jacobs have handled everything from amicable settlements to high-conflict litigation in the Bergen County Family Division. That time in front of the local bench shapes how we approach custody disputes, alimony, and the division of homes, businesses, and retirement accounts, so you always understand your options and what to expect at each stage.
Ready to know exactly where you stand? Schedule your free, confidential consultation today.
Going through a divorce means navigating unfamiliar legal territory. Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and help you make informed decisions at each stage, especially in a busy court system like Bergen County, where scheduling and case timelines can vary.
Case Management Conference
We appear with you at the Bergen County Justice Center on Main Street, where visitor parking is at the 55 Court Street garage, to set the issues, deadlines, and timeline so you are not navigating the courthouse alone.
You can reach a settlement and step off this path at any point. Our job is to get you the best outcome as efficiently as possible, whether that happens at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.
What your divorce costs and how long it takes comes down to one thing: whether you and your spouse agree.
Most cases are filed on irreconcilable differences: the marriage has broken down for six months, with no proof of wrongdoing needed. Few cases start as purely contested or uncontested, and our job is narrowing the disputes until only what matters is left.
Families from Hackensack, Teaneck, Englewood, Paramus, Maywood, and surrounding Bergen County communities rely on our firm for guidance during life’s most difficult transitions.
Every divorce is different. Whether you need help with custody, finances, or understanding what comes next, we provide experienced guidance tailored to your situation.
New Jersey courts prioritize your child’s best interests when determining custody arrangements, and Bergen County judges place strong emphasis on maintaining stability, especially when one parent stays in Hackensack while the other relocates to Englewood or another nearby town and the parenting-time schedule has to work around school and the commute between them.
New Jersey calculates child support based on both parents’ income, number of children, and parenting time arrangements. We ensure calculations are accurate and fair. When circumstances change, including job loss, salary increases, or evolving needs, we handle modifications to adjust support orders.
Courts examine multiple factors: length of marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, standard of living, and contributions to the household. We analyze whether alimony applies in your case, determine appropriate amounts and duration, and negotiate terms that reflect your contributions and future needs.
New Jersey divides marital property fairly, not necessarily equally. This includes your home, retirement accounts, investments, and debts. In Bergen County, where the marital home is often a couple’s largest asset, real estate values frequently drive equitable distribution, especially in higher-value Route 4 markets such as Teaneck.
For complex financial situations, we handle:
We bring in forensic accountants so nothing is missed. If you signed a prenuptial agreement, we determine whether it holds up and either enforce or challenge it.
New Jersey charges $300 to file a divorce complaint, plus $25 if you have children. Legal fees are the variable, billed hourly against a retainer that scales with the fight, not the paperwork. What drives it up:
An uncontested divorce costs a fraction of a contested one, which is why we use settlement tools first. Bergen County provides the first two hours of economic mediation free. We quote a specific retainer at your free consultation, so you know the number before you commit.
Plenty of firms handle divorce. Fewer have spent decades inside the courtrooms, panels, and committees that decide Bergen County cases.
No firm can guarantee an outcome. We can promise focused, locally informed advocacy.
Even if you live in Garfield or elsewhere in southern Bergen County, your divorce is heard at the Family Division of the Bergen County Justice Center at 10 Main Street in Hackensack. We file and appear there regularly, so we know the staff, the procedures, and the local scheduling realities.
At least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for a full year before filing on most grounds, including irreconcilable differences. If you recently settled in Hackensack or Fort Lee after a move, we can confirm whether you meet the one-year requirement.
Often, yes. If you meet New Jersey’s residency requirement, you can file in Bergen County even when your spouse lives elsewhere, though serving them and resolving support or property may take extra steps. We will map out what your situation requires.
During court hours, you can request a temporary restraining order at the Family Division inside the Bergen County Justice Center. After hours and on weekends, your local police department can reach an on-call judge. We represent you at the final hearing that follows.
Many Bergen County family matters now run as virtual hearings, while certain conferences and trials still happen in person downtown. We will tell you exactly which of your appearances require a trip to the courthouse.
Are you ready to get started on your case with a consultation? With over 35 years of experience, our attorneys are ready to fight for you. Reach out to us today to see what Cowen & Jacobs can do for you.
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Family law attorney practicing in New Jersey since 1981, handling divorce, custody, support, domestic violence, and mediation; J.D. cum laude from Pace, B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati, former New Jersey Superior Court law clerk, and active member of state and national bar associations.
Employment and personal injury attorney and longtime arbitrator in New Jersey, Sara draws on 14 years as a Superior Court arbitrator and extensive ADR experience to resolve workplace disputes and injury claims efficiently; she holds an LL.M. from NYU School of Law, serves as an adjunct professor, and is active in multiple bar and women’s law associations.
The hardest part of divorce is often the uncertainty: what happens to your home, your children, your savings, and the future you planned for. A clear strategy turns those unknowns into a plan you can actually see and steps you can actually take. Sit down with Barbara or Sara for a free, confidential consultation and leave knowing exactly where you stand and what to do next.
We are here for you and ready to help you resolve your legal issue. For a consultation discussing your case, call Cowen & Jacobs today.
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