The state of New Jersey is an equitable distribution state. Marital property rights are treated as unvested. However, when a dissolution of marriage is filed, the marital property rights vest and the property divided equitably (in a fair manner) between the spouses. [i]
In making an equitable distribution of property, the court shall consider, but not be limited to, the following factors: a. The duration of the marriage; b. The age and physical and emotional health of the parties; c. The income or property brought to the marriage by each party; d. The standard of living established during the marriage; e. Any written agreement made by the parties before or during the marriage concerning an arrangement of property distribution; f. The economic circumstances of each party at the time the division of property becomes effective; g. The income and earning capacity of each party, including educational background, training, employment skills, work experience, length of absence from the job market, custodial responsibilities for children, and the time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party to become self-supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage; h. The contribution by each party to the education, training or earning power of the other; i. The contribution of each party to the acquisition, dissipation, preservation, depreciation or appreciation in the amount or value of the marital property, as well as the contribution of a party as a homemaker; j. The tax consequences of the proposed distribution to each party; k. The present value of the property; l. The need of a parent who has physical custody of a child to own or occupy the marital residence and to use or own the household effects; m. The debts and liabilities of the parties; n. The need for creation, now or in the future, of a trust fund to secure reasonably foreseeable medical or educational costs for a spouse or children; o. The extent to which a party deferred achieving their career goals; and p. Any other factors which the court may deem relevant. (New Jersey Statutes: Title 2A, Section: 34-23.1)
In every case, except cases where the court does not make an award concerning the equitable distribution of the property pursuant to subsection h. of N.J.S.2A:34-23, the court shall make specific findings of fact on the evidence relevant to all issues pertaining to asset eligibility or ineligibility, asset valuation, and equitable distribution, including specifically, but not limited to, the factors set forth in this section. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that each party made a substantial financial or nonfinancial contribution to the acquisition of income and property while the party was married. (New Jersey Statutes: Title 2A, Section: 34-23.1)
[i] Turner, Brett R., Equitable Distribution of Property, chapter 2, section 7 (3rd ed. 2005)
