Practice Areas

New Jersey Matrimonial and 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. At Copeland, Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP , we work to resolve family legal matters amicably and resourcefully in the best interests of our clients.

Our attorneys understand that every family is unique and that legal decisions will affect every client differently. We tailor our services to find a resolution that works for you.

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

In every legal matter, we take the time to understand the various needs of our clients. It is our priority to create tailored legal solutions to suit the specific needs and objectives of each client and his or her family. By comprehensively understanding your concerns, unique circumstances and your immediate and future needs, we can effectively work to resolve your dispute. When you need a lawyer you can trust, contact our attorneys for a consultation regarding your legal matter.

Our Attorneys are experienced in the following areas of family law:

Divorce: With compassion and effective advocacy, we work to protect the rights of our clients efficiently and effectively. In many cases, we are able to explore other dispute resolution avenues including mediation or 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 useful alternatives to divorce litigation and can save clients the time and expense of going to court. It can also prove to be a less hostile form of resolving a divorce or custody dispute because parties are able to communicate directly. Our experienced attorneys are skilled in mediation and arbitration and can effectively navigate the alternative dispute resolution process.

Collaborative Law: Similar to mediation, collaborative law enables individuals to resolve family law disputes without the emotional strain of litigation.

Child Custody and Parenting Time (Visitation): While child custody and parenting time decisions are made by the courts based on the best interests of the children, an attorney can help articulate your child's needs and your concerns. Our attorneys understand the gravity of child custody and parenting issues and are skilled in effectively advocating on your behalf to protect your rights and your children's interests.

Child Support: Even though a court will calculate the amount of child support to be paid, it is important that your attorney can properly advocate on your behalf throughout the child support determination process. Our attorneys are experienced at calculating child support and addressing your children's special financial needs, including health care 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 and contentious issues for parties facing divorce. Whether you are concerned about support obligations or collecting support, our attorneys are skilled in articulating your needs to ensure that your rights are protected.

Enforcements and Modifications: 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 applications to modify support or custody based on a change of circumstances. If you are seeking to enforce a payment, modify an existing payment order, or to enforce or modify custody or an existing parenting schedule, our attorneys can effectively represent your interests.

Parental Relocations Cases: It is very difficult for children to adjust to and cope with their parents living in separate households. Therefore, courts emphasize the importance of maintaining parenting time between each parent and the child. Therefore, parents who wish to move out of state or a significant distance away (but still within the state), must first obtain court approval (or the agreement of the other parent). We assist clients with petitions for such parental relocations as well as contesting relocation requests.

Prenuptial Agreements: A premarital agreement can help parties protect their separate property and agree on issues such as the division of property and spousal support if the marriage eventually ends in divorce. Our attorneys can assist you in drafting or reviewing a prenup to ensure that your rights or interests are protected.

Civil Unions: Same-sex couples entering into a civil union (or who have entered into 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 or terminating the agreement or union.

Equitable Distribution/Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO): The division of property in a divorce can be complex. Our attorneys are distinguished in our ability to properly secure the division of assets and retirement benefits at the time of divorce. Whether your case involves assets such as real property, business interests, securities, stock options, pensions, 401Ks, or a straight retirement plan, or debts such as mortgages, and credit card balances, we have the experience and knowledge to help you.

Domestic Violence: Our lawyers have represented all parties in domestic violence matters. We have assisted in finalizing temporary restraining orders. Our attorneys have also defended clients unfairly accused of domestic violence. When 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 Warren, New Jersey firm by e-mail or call 908.922.4238 today to schedule a consultation with one of our Warren, New Jersey divorce or family lawyers.

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

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