Divorce Decree May Not Be Final for 45 Days
A New Jersey divorce decree, even though signed by the judge, does not become final until the clerk of court enters the judgment by making a notation in the civil docket, or in other words, creating the official record of the case. Either party to the divorce may file post-judgment motions before the judgment becomes final, or appeal the judgment, within 45 days of entry of the judgment. A person who rushes to remarry after divorce could find that because his divorce is not final, his new "marriage" is void. If a person wants to remarry quickly after divorce, he should consider waiting at least 45 days after entry of the divorce decree to make sure the divorce is final.
