How Does NJ Case Information Statement Help Settle Your Divorce?
Once you file for divorce with the NJ family court, you will be required to file a ‘case information statement’ within 6 weeks of the response to your divorce. You and your spouse may find filling out the NJ case information statement or “CIS” difficult as it is time-consuming and requires a great deal of information. However, completing the document properly and quickly will assist in the resolution of your divorce.
Before you start, review the CIS’s various parts so that you can gather the required information. It is also essential that you understand how to present various aspects of your marital financial picture so that you obtain the best possible results for you and your children.
NJ Family Case Information Statement Sections:
Part A – Case Information
You need to provide basic information about you and your family, including birthdates, date of the marriage, and the list of issues that are not agreed upon in your divorce.
Parts B – Miscellaneous and C – Income Information
These sections describe your, and your spouse’s, employment and total annual incomes for both of you for this year to date and the previous year. You will need to assemble pay stubs and tax returns to do this properly. If you do not have this information leave it blank. This can be challenging if you are not the primary breadwinner and you spouse has not disclosed this information. If you do work, you will need to attach your last year’s tax return and 3 most recent pay stubs to the CIS when it is submitted to the court. Additionally, the form asks that you disclose if you/spouse are provided with stock options, bonuses, commissions and other earned and unearned income beyond your base salary.
Part D – Monthly Expenses
This part deals exclusively with the monthly expenses incurred during the marriage and your current situation if you are living separately from your spouse. It is best if you can use real data from bank and credit card statements. Guessing as to these amounts can result in inadequate support for you and your children.
The Monthly Expenses Are Divided Into Three Separate Schedules:
- Schedule A – Shelter: These include mortgage payments, utilities, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, repairs and maintenance, snow removal, landscaping charges, telephone, cable, internet, and other home-related monthly costs.
- Schedule B -Transportation: This expense covers monthly lease, loan, car payments, automobile insurance, boats, motorcycles, gasoline expenses, repairs and maintenance, license, and registration fees.
- Schedule C -Personal Expenses: It covers groceries, life and health insurance, expenses for medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, therapy or psychological counseling, eye care, and orthodontic work. Also, it includes child-related costs, expenses for domestic help, professional fees, cash and retirement savings, costs incurred to gifts for birthdays, holidays expenditures, entertainment expenses, hair care and even has lines to include other unusual expenses particular to the family.
“The monthly budget component of Part D is a critical part as it provides the amount of expenses used to determine the support needed to meet those requirements”.
Part E – Balance Sheet of All Family Assets and Liabilities
This part identifies your marital and separate assets and liabilities. Here, you should provide information regarding all existing bank accounts, real estate, IRAs, pensions, Keoughs, ESOPs, SEPs, SSPs, 403b, and 401k plans, 529 accounts, stock and bond accounts. This part should also itemize any business interests, collectibles, and other valuable personal property that you own. Also, you must fill out the amount of cash value if there are any whole life insurance policies. Assets which you believe to be exempt from equitable distribution (splitting with your spouse) can be listed as such. The dates of the balances listed should be close to the date of the CIS or the most recent statement that is in your possession.
Debts of the family are also to be listed including the credit cards used even if they are paid in full each month. Borrowings from family members can also to be included should family assist you with funds to pay for living expenses or hire an attorney. Make sure you keep accurate records of funds lent, even if it is on a piece of paper, if you want these to be considered in the finalization of your divorce.
Part F – Special problems
NJ Case Information Statement allows you to indicate if there are any special problems or challenges that were not included in the CIS but needs to be disclosed.
For example, it could be the requirement of a forensic accountant to value a family business or if you have a child with special needs or personal medical issues
Part G – Attachements
This part provides a list of required attachments such as W2 forms, pay stubs, and tax returns.
How Can Divorce Coach NJ Help You?
NJ case information statement is conceivably the most crucial document in your divorce. We guide you to make sure the numbers are right and presented in the most effective manner to ensure you are protected. We have over 10 years of experience in helping individuals through their divorce. We render financial, strategic, and emotional support that will reduce the stress and anxiety of your divorce. Our one-on-one program delivers extensive services based on your needs. We help our clients with valuable professional advice, which includes comprehending NJ CIS as well. Our assistance will result in a better outcome for you and your children.
We provide a free introductory consultation to all clients to see if our services will be a fit. Reach out via the contact form on www.divorcecoachnj.com to set up a time to chat.