Divorce can affect your finances, children, home, and future. If you are preparing for divorce in Garfield, early legal guidance can help you understand your options before small uncertainties become bigger disputes.
At Cowen & Jacobs, we’ve helped New Jersey families navigate divorce and family law matters for more than 35 years. Whether your case involves custody, support, alimony, property division, or safety concerns, we build a strategy around your family’s needs.
When you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to listen.
Ready to take the first step? Schedule a free, confidential consultation today,
Most New Jersey divorces are resolved within 12 months of filing. Uncontested cases can often move faster, while disputes involving custody, finances, businesses, pension plans, or other complex assets usually take longer. For Garfield residents, divorce cases are typically heard through Passaic County’s family court system.
Every family comes to us with a different situation. We handle the following family law matters with a focus on your safety, your future, and your best interests:
Custody is often one of the most sensitive parts of a divorce. We help you prepare for parenting time, decision-making authority, and best-interest factors so the court has a clear picture of your child’s needs and your role in their life.
Child support is typically addressed alongside custody and parenting time. We review income, overnight schedules, childcare costs, health insurance, and other relevant details to help pursue a fair support arrangement during the divorce process.
Alimony can become a major issue when one spouse earns more, left the workforce, or supported the household in other ways. We help you evaluate the length of the marriage, income, earning potential, and marital lifestyle so your position is grounded in the facts.
Dividing marital property can affect your financial stability long after the divorce is final. We help identify, value, and organize assets such as real estate, retirement accounts, businesses, deferred compensation, and investment property so nothing important is overlooked.
A prenuptial agreement can shape how property, assets, and financial obligations are handled in divorce. We review the agreement for enforceability, disclosure issues, and procedural concerns so you understand whether it may be upheld or challenged.
When safety is part of the divorce, fast legal action may be necessary. We help clients seek emergency protections, address restraining order hearings, and account for how domestic violence concerns may affect custody, parenting time, and long-term security.
Cowen & Jacobs is a women-owned Hackensack firm with decades of divorce and family law experience serving families in Bergen County, Passaic County, and nearby North Jersey communities.
In most cases, at least one spouse must meet New Jersey’s residency requirements before filing. We can help you confirm where and when your case should be filed.
Your spouse does not have to agree for the divorce to move forward. The case may take longer, but the court can still address custody, support, property, and other disputed issues.
Yes. Temporary orders may address financial support, parenting time, housing, or other urgent concerns while the divorce is still active.
In some cases, yes. A major change in income, parenting needs, relocation, or a child’s circumstances may support a request to modify an existing order.
Bring any court papers, financial records, prenuptial agreements, custody concerns, and a list of questions. Even partial information can help us understand your next steps.
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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We proudly represent families in Garfield, Passaic, Clifton, and surrounding Passaic County communities, as well as Bergen, Hudson, and Essex Counties.
Barbara Cowen has spent her career helping clients through emotionally charged family law matters, including divorce, child custody, support, domestic violence, prenuptial agreements, post-divorce enforcement, and divorce mediation. Admitted to practice in New Jersey in 1981, she brings decades of family law experience, careful preparation, and personal attention to clients facing difficult decisions about their children, finances, and future.
Sara Jacobs brings a strong dispute-resolution background to divorce-related matters, including mediation and arbitration strategies that can help reduce the time, cost, and stress of litigation when appropriate. Her experience as a Superior Court arbitrator and independent arbitrator supports a practical, settlement-focused approach while still preparing clients for contested issues that may need stronger advocacy.
A fresh start is possible, but getting there takes careful, experienced legal guidance. At Cowen & Jacobs, we’ve helped families in Garfield and throughout New Jersey find their footing during some of the most challenging transitions of their lives. We’re here to do the same for you.
Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential consultation and take the next step with confidence.
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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