Somerset County Family Law Attorneys

A family legal dispute affects all parties, their children, friends and family. The results can shape the lives of everyone involved well into the future. When you are facing a family legal dispute, it is important that you are represented by an attorney and firm you can trust to obtain results efficiently and effectively.

Over 105 Years of Combined Legal Experience

At Shimalla, Wechsler, Lepp & D'Onofrio, LLP, we work to resolve family legal matters amicably and resourcefully in the best interests of our clients. Our Somerset County family law attorneys understand that every family is unique and that legal decisions will affect each client differently.

Contact our Somerset County, New Jersey, office, to schedule an initial consultation regarding your family's legal matter.

In each legal matter, we take the time to understand the various needs and concerns of our clients. It is our priority to create legal solutions tailored to suit the specific needs and objectives of each client and his or her family. By comprehensively addressing your concerns, your unique circumstances and your immediate and future needs, we can effectively work to resolve your dispute.

Our Family Law Practice

• Divorce : With compassion and effective advocacy, we work to protect the rights of our clients efficiently and effectively. In many cases, we explore other dispute resolution avenues including mediation, collaborative divorce and arbitration before we take any court action. In the event litigation is necessary, our divorce attorneys are effective in achieving results to protect our client's rights, their security and their children.
• Mediation and Arbitration : Mediation and arbitration are often effective and appropriate alternatives to divorce litigation, saving clients the time and expense of going to court. These processes can also prove to be a less hostile and confrontational form of resolving divorce and custody disputes because parties are able to communicate directly. Our experienced attorneys are skilled in mediation and arbitration and can effectively navigate these alternatives to litigation.
• Collaborative Law : Collaborative law is a team approach, committed to settlement, which enables individuals to resolve family law disputes without the emotional strain of litigation.
• Child Custody and Parenting Time (Visitation) : Child custody and parenting time decisions are made based on the best interests of the children. Our attorneys understand the gravity of child custody and parenting decisions and are skilled in effectively advocating on your behalf to protect your rights and your children's interests.
• Child Support : While New Jersey has guidelines for determining child support there are several factors to determine in order to calculate the appropriate support amount. Our attorneys are well-versed in these factors and in what is required to calculate child support, as well as in addressing children's special financial needs, including health care, extraordinary expenses and college expenses, all in the context of protecting the rights and financial interests of our clients.
• Spousal Support : Support matters can be the most stressful, contentious and difficult to understand for parties facing divorce. Whether you are concerned about support obligations or collecting support, our attorneys are skilled in assessing and articulating your needs and concerns, and in protecting your rights to a fair settlement of support issues.
• Equitable Distribution/Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO) : The division of property and debt in a divorce can be challenging and complex. Our attorneys understand what is required to properly secure the division of assets and retirement benefits at the time of divorce. Whether your case involves real estate, business interests, securities, stock options, pensions, 401(k)s, or a straight retirement plan, or debts such as mortgages, credit card balances, or other obligations, we have the experience and knowledge to help you.
• Enforcement and Modification of Agreements and Judgments : In addition to representing clients during the divorce process, we assist clients with enforcement of orders for support, custody and equitable distribution of assets and debts. We also represent our clients in making or defending applications to modify support or custody based on substantial changes in circumstances.
• Parenting Coordination and Guardian Ad Litem : Parents having difficulty agreeing on issues that arise under an established parenting plan can avoid court involvement by seeking the help of a parenting coordinator. Our attorneys can serve that role, working with clients and making recommendations for implementation and minor modifications of existing parenting plans. In some instances, when a court is being asked to decide a significant custody matter, judges appoint a guardian ad litem to act as a fact-finder and provide a report and recommendations back to the court as to the most appropriate custody and parenting time plan for a family. Our attorneys have been appointed by courts to serve as guardians ad litem.
• Parental Relocations Cases : Courts recognize and emphasize the importance of maintaining parenting time between each parent and the children after divorce or separation. That becomes difficult, if not impossible, when a parent seeks to relocate with the children out of New Jersey, or even a significant distance away within the State. The parent wishing to make such a move must obtain court approval or the agreement of the other parent if the move is out of State, or if the move, even within New Jersey, is sufficiently far away that it will interfere with the parenting plan). We assist clients with petitions for such parental relocations as well as in opposing relocation requests.
• Prenuptial (or Premarital) Agreements : A premarital agreement can help parties protect their separate property and agree on issues such as the division of property and spousal support in the event of a possible divorce, or the death of either party during the marriage. Our attorneys can assist you in drafting and negotiating these agreements to ensure that your rights or interests are protected.
• Civil Unions : Same-sex couples entering into a civil union (or a domestic partnership) face many of the same legal problems that opposite-sex couples face. Our family lawyers assist clients with all legal matters surrounding the union or agreement, from establishing property agreements to determining child custody rights and in terminating the union.
• Cohabitation & Palimony : There are special issues to resolve when cohabiting partners and unmarried couples split up. We can help determine how property and debts will be divided, whether palimony is available, and whether other financial compensation is available for either partner.
• Domestic Violence : Our lawyers have represented parties on both sides of the issue in domestic violence matters. We have helped clients obtain final restraining orders in some cases, and in other cases, we have successfully defended clients unfairly accused of domestic violence. Whether you need defense or you are in an abusive situation, we are attorneys you can trust to protect your rights, security, and your children.

Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Child Custody Attorneys

Contact our Warren Township, Somerset County New Jersey, firm by e-mail, or call 908.922.4238 today to schedule a consultation with one of our Warren, New Jersey, child custody attorneys.

*Two of our named partners are Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Matrimonial Law Attorneys.

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