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Guide to Uncontested Divorce in New Jersey

December 23, 2025

Uncontested / Simple Divorce in New Jersey: A Plain-English Guide (Including the NJ Case Information Statement “CIS”)

If you live in New Jersey and you want a lower-cost divorce without a courtroom fight, the biggest question is usually not “Can I do this without a lawyer?”, but rather “Can I handle the paperwork the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part requires?”

In many uncontested New Jersey cases, the most stressful (and most important) paperwork is the Family Part Case Information Statement (CIS), commonly referenced as CIS (CN 10482). DIY filers search for “how to fill out NJ CIS” because it’s detailed, financial, and easy to get wrong, and the court takes it seriously.

This guide explains both cooperative uncontested cases and the very common “default” path in New Jersey, what qualifies as “simple,” what the main steps look like, and where the Complaint for Divorce and the CIS fit into the process.

Important: PlainDivorce is not a law firm. This is legal information only, not legal advice. Court rules, forms, and fees can change, and local practice can vary by county. If you’re unsure about your rights, safety, or what is fair in your situation, talk to a New Jersey family law lawyer or legal services organization.

Table of Contents

uncontested divorce in New Jersey

1. What Is an Uncontested or Simple Divorce in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, people say “simple divorce” to mean a divorce that does not turn into a major court dispute. Your case is handled in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part, and in real life “uncontested” often looks like one of these two paths:

  • Uncontested (cooperative): one spouse files, the other spouse participates, and you present an agreement to the court.
  • Default (very common in “uncontested” reality): one spouse files and properly serves the papers, but the other spouse does not file an Answer by the deadline. The case proceeds through the default process and may end in a Final Default Judgment of Divorce.

That default nuance matters: many NJ divorces are “uncontested” because nobody fights, not because both spouses file together or sign everything immediately.

Quick terminology note: You may see references online to “Form 1D.” That label is commonly used in the Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) divorce packet for certain no-fault cases. It is not an official NJ Courts/AOC form number. The court filing itself is generally referred to as the Complaint for Divorce.

2. Who Qualifies for an Uncontested Divorce in New Jersey?

2.1 Residency requirement

In many New Jersey divorce cases, at least one spouse must have lived in New Jersey for the 12 months immediately before filing (some grounds have different rules). You also must file in the correct county venue (often where either spouse lives, or where you last lived together).

2.2 Grounds for divorce (plain English)

New Jersey recognizes fault and no-fault grounds. For DIY uncontested cases, most people use no-fault irreconcilable differences (commonly described as a breakdown for at least 6 months with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation).

2.3 When your case is a good fit for uncontested/simple divorce

  • You agree the marriage is over and can keep the process civil.
  • You can exchange basic financial information honestly.
  • You can reach agreement (or have no major disagreements) on parenting, support, and division of assets/debts.
  • You can meet deadlines and follow the Family Part’s document requirements.

2.4 When uncontested divorce may not work well

  • Domestic violence, coercion, or safety concerns.
  • Hidden assets, unclear income, or one spouse controls all finances.
  • Complex assets (business ownership, multiple properties, stock options, large retirement issues).
  • Serious disputes about children, support, or property.

If any of those apply, it may still be possible to divorce, but a purely DIY approach can be risky. Consider legal advice.

3. The NJ Case Information Statement (CIS): The Hardest Part of Many DIY Divorces

If you only remember one NJ-specific term from this guide, make it this: Family Part Case Information Statement (CIS), commonly referenced as CIS (CN 10482).

DIY filers struggle with the CIS because it forces you to organize your financial life in a court-friendly format. Depending on your case, you may need to disclose things like:

  • Income (all sources), pay information, and deductions
  • Monthly expenses (housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, debt payments)
  • Assets and debts (bank accounts, retirement accounts, credit cards, loans, real estate)
  • Information relevant to support (child support and/or alimony) and financial fairness

Pro tip: Before you start filling out the CIS, gather your last 2–3 pay stubs, your most recent tax return, and current account statements (bank, retirement, credit cards, mortgage). Most CIS mistakes happen because people guess instead of using documents.

A structured self-help kit is most valuable here because it can provide organization, checklists, and examples of how typical information is written, without turning your case into a lawyer-led matter. (Still: if finances are complex or disputed, get legal advice.)

4. Step-by-Step Overview of the Uncontested Divorce Process in New Jersey (Including Default + the “Second Packet”)

Below is a plain-English map of a typical Family Part divorce flow. Exact filing methods and local procedures can vary, so always confirm with current NJ Courts instructions for your county.

Step 1 – Confirm eligibility (residency + grounds)

  • Confirm the NJ residency requirement applies in your case.
  • Confirm you can plead a no-fault ground (commonly irreconcilable differences).
  • Confirm you can locate your spouse for service (or understand what alternatives might exist if you cannot).

Step 2 – Reach agreement (or identify what will be “uncontested”)

In an uncontested NJ divorce, your agreements are commonly written into a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA). This is the document that typically covers property/debt division, support, and (if applicable) parenting arrangements.

Even if your case proceeds by default, having a clear MSA and clear financial disclosures can reduce confusion and delays.

Step 3 – Prepare the key Family Part documents (the “clerk rejection” checklist)

DIY filers often get rejected at filing (or delayed) because they submit the Complaint but miss one of the required attachments. While requirements can vary by case type, these are NJ-specific documents you will commonly see referenced in the initial filing package:

  • Complaint for Divorce (you may see “Form 1D” in LSNJ materials, but the court filing is the Complaint)
  • Certification of Verification and Non-Collusion
  • Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (filed separately for private identifiers)
  • Certification of Insurance Coverage
  • Certification of Notification of Complementary Dispute Resolution (CDR)
  • Family Part Case Information Statement (CIS), CN 10482 (commonly required in financial/support cases)
  • Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) (if you have terms to document)

Why this matters: If you file a Complaint but omit required attachments, the clerk may reject the filing or require corrections, which slows everything down and can trigger extra trips to the courthouse.

Step 4 – File your papers (including the JEDS tip)

New Jersey offers online submission tools (often discussed under JEDS, Judiciary Electronic Document Submission) for certain filing and document-submission situations. Availability can depend on case type and where you are in the process, so check current NJ Courts guidance for Family Part divorce filing in your county.

Step 5 – Serve your spouse correctly

Service is the step that gives the court jurisdiction over the other party. If service is done incorrectly, it can delay the case. Common service options may include the sheriff or a private process server, depending on your county and circumstances.

Step 6 – The answer deadline and the “Request to Enter Default”

After service, the defendant typically has a deadline to file an Answer. A common timeline people hear in NJ divorces is 35 days after service (verify the current deadline for your situation).

  • If the defendant files an Answer but does not contest: the case can move forward as uncontested, often with a short hearing or a paperwork-based process depending on current court practice.
  • If the defendant does nothing: you can usually move the case forward by filing a Request to Enter Default. Important: default entry updates the docket, but it is not the same thing as getting a final divorce judgment.

Default Reality Check (Hard Stop)

In New Jersey, “default entered” is often only Step 1. Many DIY cases stall because they never file the second packet needed to actually get a Final Judgment.

Step 7 – The “second packet” for default: Notice of Proposed Final Judgment + non-military proof

This is where many DIY default cases die on the vine. After default is entered, New Jersey generally requires additional documents before the court can grant a final default judgment, including serving the other spouse a Notice of Proposed Final Judgment and your proposed final judgment materials in advance (commonly described as a 20-day notice window before the final default hearing/entry).

Military status hard stop: For a default judgment against an individual, you generally must file a Certification/Affidavit of Non-Military Service (with supporting proof of your search). Courts use this to comply with federal protections for service members. If this proof is missing, the judge may not sign a default judgment.

Because local practice varies, always confirm your county/vicinage instructions for exactly what must be included in the default judgment request packet and how it must be served.

Step 8 – Final Judgment of Divorce (and proof of divorce)

Once the judge is satisfied that jurisdiction, service, default requirements (if applicable), and required paperwork are in order, and that children’s arrangements (if any) are appropriate, the court will enter a final judgment that ends the marriage.

After judgment, request certified copies for proof of divorce (name change, remarriage, records).

5. Special Issues When You Have Children

When minor children are involved, the Family Part focuses on the child’s best interests. Even in uncontested cases, judges may confirm that your parenting plan is workable and that support arrangements are addressed clearly.

  • Parenting time schedule and decision-making responsibilities
  • Child support and health insurance responsibilities
  • Allocation of unreimbursed medical costs and childcare expenses

Parents’ Education Program (Hard Stop in many cases): New Jersey has a required Parents’ Education Program fee associated with cases involving children (commonly reflected as an additional $25). Depending on your situation, completion can affect when the court will finalize custody/parenting-related issues.

If your situation involves safety concerns, relocation, special needs, or high-conflict co-parenting, consider getting legal advice before you finalize terms.

6. How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in New Jersey?

There is no guaranteed timeline, but most uncontested NJ cases are shaped by a few fixed realities:

  • Any required pre-filing time component tied to your chosen ground (for example, irreconcilable differences is commonly described as at least 6 months).
  • The time it takes to complete accurate paperwork (especially the CIS).
  • Service timing and the answer/default timeline.
  • Court processing time in your county.

Default timeline trap: Many cases slow down because the filer stops after “Request to Enter Default” and never completes the second packet steps (including the Notice of Proposed Final Judgment and non-military proof when required).

7. What Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost in New Jersey?

Typical costs in a New Jersey divorce may include:

  • Court filing fee: commonly $300 for the divorce filing.
  • If there are children: an additional $25 Parents’ Education Program fee is commonly assessed (often described as total $325).
  • Service of process: sheriff or private process server fees (especially in non-joint / default paths).
  • Copies / certified copies of the final judgment.
  • Notary costs for any required sworn documents.
  • Optional mediation or limited-scope lawyer review (if you want targeted help).

Always confirm current fees with NJ Courts because fees can change.

8. When a DIY Divorce Might Not Be Right for You

DIY should not mean unsafe or uninformed. Consider professional help if:

  • There is domestic violence, intimidation, coercion, or fear.
  • You suspect hidden assets or manipulated income.
  • You cannot complete the CIS accurately because the finances are complex or unclear.
  • You feel pressured into signing an agreement you do not understand.
  • You anticipate ongoing conflict about children or support.

In these situations, even a short consultation can prevent expensive problems later.

9. Where a Self-Help Kit Fits (Especially for CIS + Default Paperwork)

A New Jersey uncontested divorce can be paperwork-heavy. A self-help kit is most useful when it helps you do two things well:

  • Handle the CIS confidently: organize your financial information, understand what the CIS is asking for, and reduce the chance of omissions.
  • Stay on-track procedurally: file the initial packet → serve → track the answer/default timeline → and, if it’s a default case, complete the second packet (including the Notice of Proposed Final Judgment and non-military service proof when required).

PlainDivorce kits are designed for self-represented people who want structure: checklists, sequencing, and examples of typical wording and formatting. They do not replace legal advice, and they are not a guarantee of outcome.

Download Our New Jersey Uncontested Divorce Self-Help Kit

10. FAQ

What is an uncontested or simple divorce in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, “simple” usually means the divorce does not turn into a major dispute in the Family Part. Many “uncontested” cases are cooperative, and many others end as default cases because the defendant does not file an Answer, but the paperwork still must be complete for the judge to sign a final judgment.

Is “Request to Enter Default” enough to get divorced?

Usually, no. Default entry is often only a docket step. Many cases require a second packet to actually obtain a final judgment, including advance notice and additional certifications (and non-military proof when required).

Why is the NJ CIS such a big deal?

The CIS is where you lay out income, expenses, assets, and debts in the format the court expects. Incomplete or inconsistent CIS information is a common reason cases slow down.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in NJ?

The filing fee is commonly around $300. If there are children, an additional $25 Parents’ Education Program fee is commonly assessed (often described as total $325). Always verify current fees with NJ Courts.

11. Final Thoughts and Next Steps

If you want the simplest possible divorce in New Jersey, focus on the two make-or-break realities of the Family Part process:

  • Financial disclosure (CIS): it’s detailed, and it must be taken seriously.
  • Procedure (service + default): many “uncontested” NJ cases are technically default cases — and default requires more than just entering default.

Practical next steps:

  • Confirm residency and grounds.
  • Gather financial documents before you start the CIS (pay stubs, tax returns, account statements, debt balances).
  • Discuss and write down agreement terms (MSA), especially if you have children or shared assets.
  • Review current NJ Courts instructions for filing, service, and your county’s default judgment process.
  • If you have children, plan for the Parents’ Education Program requirement and fee.

PlainDivorce is not a law firm. This guide is legal information only, not legal advice. If you are uncertain about your rights, your safety, or the fairness of your agreement, speak with a qualified New Jersey family law attorney.

About Harry D

Expert contributor at PlainDivorce, helping Canadians and American navigate simple uncontested divorces with clarity and confidence.