New Jersey Uncontested Divorce Settlement Companion — Sample Marital Settlement Agreement plus Filing Guides
Attorney-reviewed by Bonnie B. Henderson, Esq. Shop is not a law firm; purchase is not representation.
A premium sample marital settlement agreement plus plain-English companions for two people who already agree on every issue of a New Jersey divorce (property, debts, alimony, custody, parenting time, child support) and will sign and notarize that agreement. You get a should-I-use-this guide (uncontested vs. contested; ESP and mediation as NJ Courts describes them), a map of official Family Part papers by name and purpose (not a reprint), a filing checklist with verified court fees and URLs, and a bracketed MSA template covering equitable distribution, QDRO-as-separate-order language, NJ alimony types, parenting-time placeholders, and child support by the official guidelines worksheet (no invented support numbers). NJ Courts already publishes the court forms at no charge. Legal Services of New Jersey sells a $25 form kit — this is not that kit and does not copy it. You download current forms from njcourts.gov and file them yourself. Plum Packet is not a law firm and not a filing service. This is not legal advice, it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and nobody appears in court for you. Court filing fees are extra.
What’s included
Six PDF files:
| File | What you get |
|---|---|
| Readme | How to use the kit. |
| Disclaimer | Standalone, stronger than a formation kit: a signed MSA may be incorporated into a judgment; not tailored; no attorney-client relationship. Read it first. |
| Should I use this? | Uncontested vs. contested; when you still need a lawyer; ESP / custody mediation / economic mediation as NJ Courts describes them; this kit is not a substitute for the official Family Part CIS (CN 10482). |
| Court-forms walkthrough | Plain-English map of Complaint, CIS, summons/service, CDR papers, parenting workshop, child-support worksheets, and final-judgment / CN 12620 papers — by name and purpose. Not a reprint. You still download current PDFs from njcourts.gov. |
| Sample marital settlement agreement | NJ-oriented SAMPLE with [BRACKETED PLACEHOLDERS]: parties and marriage; irreconcilable differences; separate vs. marital property; real property; bank and retirement (this MSA is not a QDRO); debts; vehicles; alimony types under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23; custody and parenting time; child support per guidelines + attach worksheet; insurance; taxes; name restoration; disclosure; incorporation into a Dual Final Judgment of Divorce; NJ law; signatures/notary. |
| Filing checklist | After the MSA is signed: county Family Division directory link, JEDS vs. mail vs. in person, $300 complaint fee and $25 parent-education fee as posted, 60-day service, defendant $175 appearance fee, judgment-on-the-papers papers if your county uses them. |
Format: PDF.
Not included: NJ Courts forms (those are free); LSNJ’s $25 kit; filing or serving your case; a lawyer at the hearing; a child-support calculation; a QDRO; document review of your filled-in agreement; contested, default-only, or domestic-violence practice.
Who it’s for
- Two people who already agree on all issues and will sign a marital / property settlement agreement.
- Uncontested New Jersey Family Part (FM) dissolution, typically on irreconcilable differences as NJ Courts describes that ground.
- People who will download the current official forms, pay the court (or apply for a fee waiver), serve papers, and appear if the court requires it.
Who it’s not for
- Contested cases; anyone still negotiating; hidden assets.
- Domestic-violence / TRO situations without independent counsel.
- Complex pensions that need a QDRO specialist, closely-held businesses, or anyone who does not fully understand the terms.
- Anyone who wants Plum Packet to file, serve, calculate support, draft a QDRO, or show up.
- Anyone who only needs the free PDFs on njcourts.gov.
If any of those describe you, do not buy this kit. Use njcourts.gov or hire counsel.
Price
$179.00 (USD). One-time download. No subscription.
Priced as a premium sample agreement plus companion, above the $25–$129 DIY form-kit cluster (including LSNJ’s $25 kit of forms + instructions, which NJ Courts’ own divorce page mentions). You are not paying $179 for court PDFs. Those are free.
No court fees are bundled. You pay the Judiciary separately. As of the kit’s research date: $300.00 to file the dissolution complaint, plus $25.00 parent-education registration if custody or parenting time is requested (often added to $325 in informal writeups — official sources list the two fees separately). Defendant first appearance / responsive pleading: $175.00, plus $25.00 workshop if it applies. Confirm on njcourts.gov the day you file. Sheriff / process-server costs extra.
FAQ
Is this legal advice? Am I hiring Bonnie Henderson?
No. The kit is general information, a sample template, and checklists. Buying it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Bonnie B. Henderson, Esq., with any law firm, or with Plum Packet. Plum Packet is an online shop, not a law firm. Purchase does not include representation, a consultation, review of your papers, or anyone appearing in court. If you need advice, hire counsel separately — each of you, if your interests differ.
Do you file my divorce for me?
No. Plum Packet is not a filing service. You download current Family Part papers from NJ Courts and file them through JEDS, by mail, or in person.
Is this the official court form? Is this the LSNJ $25 kit?
No and no. NJ Courts already publishes the forms for free. LSNJ sells a complete form kit for $25 (the Judiciary’s divorce page says so). This product does not reprint court forms and does not copy LSNJ. Do not file this kit.
Why would I pay $179 if forms are free?
You shouldn’t if you only want PDFs. The $179 is for a sample MSA with NJ-oriented placeholders (including QDRO-is-not-this-document language and guidelines-based child support without invented numbers) plus a filing companion with verified official fees and URLs. If that is not worth $179, use njcourts.gov or LSNJ and skip this kit.
What is the filing fee?
As of August 27, 2026, NJ Courts posted $300.00 for the dissolution complaint (CN 11112, rev. 08/2026; divorce self-help). Parent education: $25.00 extra when custody or parenting time is requested. The $300 does not include the $25. Defendant: $175.00. Confirm the day you file.
Will the judge review our agreement for fairness?
Do not count on it. CN 12620 instructions for a proposed judgment without appearance say to include a statement that the court did not review or evaluate the MSA. Both of you should consider independent counsel before you sign.
Is this kit attorney-reviewed?
Attorney-reviewed by Bonnie B. Henderson, Esq. Shop is not a law firm; purchase is not representation.
Disclaimer
This product is general information and a sample agreement. It is not legal advice. Buying it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Bonnie B. Henderson, Esq., with any law firm, or with Plum Packet. Plum Packet is not a law firm and does not appear in court. A signed settlement may be incorporated into a judgment; it is not tailored to you. New Jersey fees, forms, and rules change — confirm on njcourts.gov before you file. You download the official court forms, file your own papers, and appear as the court requires. Court filing fees extra. Full text is in the Disclaimer PDF in the download.
Official starting point: https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/divorce