What If My Ex and I Want to Get Back Together After a Divorce?

Have you found yourself on the unexpected journey of rekindling love with your ex after you’ve divorced? Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal path of saying “I do” again with your former spouse in New Jersey.

Divorce disrupts many happily-ever-afters, but for some, it’s just a temporary pause before they rewrite their love story with a remarriage. Whether you desperately miss your ex, or you’ve each had time to mature and grow on your own, you might find yourself part of the 15% divorced couples who happily say “I do” to each other all over again.

The good news is that you’ve got a great shot at making your marriage work the second time around. A study of more than 1,000 couples who remarried showed that more than 70% of the couples stayed together for the long haul. While reconciliation doesn’t happen for all couples, you can rebuild your relationship successfully if you’re willing to put in the work. Let’s take a look at what couples who want to remarry each other in New Jersey should consider emotionally and legally.

Why Do Couples Remarry Each Other?

Couples who divorce and later decide to remarry each other often do so for various reasons. While each couple’s situation is unique, some common reasons include:

Personal Growth: You and your ex may undergo significant personal growth and self-discovery during your time apart. This growth can lead to positive changes in your attitudes, behaviors and communication styles, so you can reconnect on a healthier level.

Learning From Your Mistakes: Divorce can serve as a learning experience for both partners. Recognizing and addressing the issues that led to the initial separation can create an opportunity for you and your ex to work on those problems and build a stronger relationship.

Time and Reflection: The time apart during a divorce gives you and your ex space to reflect on your relationship, gain perspective and appreciate what they had. This can lead to a renewed commitment and a better understanding of each other’s needs and desires the second time around.

Better Communication: Effective communication is vital in any relationship, and your time apart may give you opportunity to develop better ways of expressing yourself and listening to your partner.

Changed Circumstances: External factors like financial stability, career changes or family situations may evolve or improve over time – alleviating stressors that contributed to your initial breakup, making it easier for you to reconcile.

Children and Your Family Life: If you and your ex-spouse have children together, their well-being may be a strong motivating factor for your reconciliation, so you can provide a more stable and cohesive family environment.

Lifelong Love and Connection: Some couples simply never lose the love and connection they shared. Even after divorce, the emotional bond may remain strong, prompting them to seek another chance at building a life together.

Therapy and Counseling: Couples may attend joint and/or individual therapy both during the divorce process and afterward, helping them navigate challenges and improve their relationship skills.

Maturity and Emotional Intelligence: With time and experience, people may become more emotionally mature and develop better emotional intelligence. This increased maturity can lead to a more stable and fulfilling relationship upon reconciliation and remarriage.

Understanding the Legal Landscape for Remarrying Your Ex in New Jersey

In New Jersey, remarrying your ex is a relatively straightforward process within the legal system, offering minimal obstacles for those seeking to reunite with each other after a divorce. Of course, as we’ve said, remarrying your ex isn’t the best choice for everyone – so it’s a smart idea to consult with a counselor or clergyperson to ensure you’re moving forward in a healthier way than before.

It’s also a savvy move to talk with an experienced family law attorney for legal guidance in your specific circumstances. A number of legal issues were resolved in your finalized divorce agreement that most likely will need to be modified when you marry again, including:

• Child custody and child support payments
• Alimony payments
• Division of assets and property
• Health and life insurance
• Pet ownership
• Debt distribution
• Retirement planning
• Inheritance rights

If you and your ex had child support and alimony agreements in place after your divorce, for example, a remarriage doesn’t automatically nullify those preexisting financial arrangements. It’s crucial to review all of these agreements with your family law attorney to make sure that you and your spouse don’t suffer any ramifications. For example, one of you may stop paying alimony, but if you don’t notify the court then you may be issued a violation for “skipping” a payment.  Your attorney can help you request modifications and issue communications to align with your renewed marital status.

As another illustration, in the course of your divorce, you might have relinquished your inheritance rights, thereby forfeiting any claim to a share of any inheritance acquired by your former spouse. When you remarry that person, your inheritance rights aren’t automatically reinstated. Your family law attorney will need to initiate a legal process to reapply the inheritance rights to your spouse during your new marriage.

Get the Right Family Law Attorney On Your Side Today for Your Remarriage

Even when you’re remarrying a former spouse, remarriages have a higher rate of divorce than first marriages. If you decide you’re ready to remarry your ex, it’s key to get legal help to protect your rights. We want to help you see the entire picture — so our number one priority is advocating to accomplish your goals. Because we have decades of experience and are NJ Certified Matrimonial Law Attorneys, we know the right questions to ask to move your remarriage forward in the most positive way possible.

Our attorneys at Smedley Law Group are here to help. Contact us today to see how we can help you reunite with your former spouse.

Contact the Experienced Family Law Attorneys at Smedley Law Group For Guidance About Remarrying or Reconciling With Your Former Spouse in South Jersey

If you’re considering a remarriage with your ex-spouse in New Jersey, you’ll want to speak with a qualified attorney. The experienced family law attorneys at Smedley Law Group represent clients throughout the state, including West Deptford, Woodbury Heights, Runnemede, and Westville, and can answer questions and make sure you meet all the legal requirements to remarry your ex. We understand how challenging this time can be for you, especially if you also need to navigate legal complexities like child custody, support or alimony from the previous divorce. We’re here to protect your interests as you reunite with your former spouse. Call us at (856) 251-0800 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 750 Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you’re seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly