Family Law Basics in Middlesex County, NJ
Family law in Middlesex County, NJ encompasses a wide range of legal issues that impact families on both personal and financial levels. The scope of family law in Middlesex County includes divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, equitable distribution of assets, post-judgment modifications, domestic violence matters, military divorces, relocation matters , and grandparents’ rights, all under the umbrella of family law. Because each case is as unique as the family involved, seeking the counsel of a family law attorney who can navigate the complexities of the law, as well as has intimate knowledge of the local courts and judges, is necessary to successfully resolve family law disputes in Middlesex County, NJ.
When to Retain a Family Law Attorney
Navigating family law matters without legal counsel can be very difficult, especially for those seeking to establish the validity of a prenuptial agreement, dissolve a marriage via divorce, or seek custody of, or visitation with, a child. If you find yourself dealing with any of these issues, or any other matter involving family law, it is essential that an experienced attorney be contacted at the first sign of trouble. A knowledgeable lawyer will be able to provide legal counsel tailored to your unique situation and needs.
Divorce – The dissolution of marriage is a delicate matter requiring the guidance of a lawyer with extensive experience in the field of family law. The process can involve complicated issues that must be analyzed and resolved to protect the interests of you and your family going forward. For example, a divorce case may involve allegations of infidelity or other misconduct, the division of assets (including businesses and investment portfolios), relocation out of state with a child, or a contested child custody dispute.
Custody – Custody disputes are often bitter and complex because they generally involve parents who strongly disagree on the best interests of their child or children. With this in mind, representation from an attorney with a comprehensive understanding of child custody laws in New Jersey is essential if you are to emerge from such a case in the best possible position. Particularly where issues such as domestic violence, relocation, and shared parenting time are involved, it is critical to the success of your case that you have a tenacious lawyer on your side.
Support – In addition to property distribution and custody, many divorcing couples must address alimony and child support. Alimony payments are designed to support a lower-earning spouse, while child support payments are meant to secure the financial future of a child. If you are owed either form of support, or if you are forced to pay support you can no longer afford, it is imperative to your case that you contact a skilled attorney capable of properly analyzing and pursuing your interests in court.
The Qualities of a Good Family Law Attorney
When you are entering into an already difficult situation like litigation or divorce, you don’t want to have to worry about whether or not your attorney is qualified. Ensure you choose the most capable family law attorney by knowing which qualities to ask about before making a decision.
First and foremost on the list is experience. You want an attorney who is not only knowledgeable about current laws, but also has a lot of experience practicing family law. If you get the feeling that they do not consider family law to be a specialized area they are passionate and driven about, then it’s probably best to keep looking. At the same time, you want to feel confident that the experience your attorney has is relevant to your case. Divorce and child custody matters require different skill sets, and prove to be problematic when attorneys who practice in both areas attempt to juggle both. You want an attorney whose primary focus is on the issues at hand, be it divorce, child custody, child support, or domestic violence. This ensures they are well versed in the complex legal issues that arise in these matters, so you don’t have to worry that advice or strategy is based on a misunderstanding of the applicable law.
Clear communication skills are also important in your attorney. You should not only expect timely responses to phone calls and emails, but you should also feel encouraged to participate in a discussion with your attorney. It is imperative that you feel comfortable having open conversation with your attorney, who will be your strongest advocate in court.
Also, you should seek reviews from past clients and others in the industry. Don’t be afraid to ask an attorney for several references, and take the time to verify them before making a decision. Generally, you can find attorney ratings on websites like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell. Be cautious when reading reviews online, as many are not legitmate.
How to Navigate the System in NJ
As if the entire family law process wasn’t difficult enough, it often is complicated by the legal system. Filing requirements and procedures vary at the Courts, and over time have changed in attempts to make the process more efficient and workable. The courts are continually adding new technologies and updating their systems. This is all well and good, but a family law attorney can help get through this maze. A Middlesex County family law attorney has likely been working in the family court system and with its personnel for many years. Court staff members often call lawyers when there is a problem or question as to how forms are to be filed , how long the family law court will take to give a decision, or what forms must be used for a specific type of motion. Oftentimes, family court staff will also advise the lawyer how to answer a question or how to fill out the paperwork that they have provided. Family law attorneys call these "tips" that they learn from court staff and "inside information." It is in your best interests to have a family lawyer who has insight into how the family law court functions – this cannot be overstated!
Middlesex County family law attorneys have experience and knowledge of how the court system works.
Why Retain a Middlesex County Attorney
Choosing a local Middlesex County, New Jersey, Family Law attorney provides several benefits beyond simply retaining the services of an attorney well versed in all aspects of Middlesex County Family Law. First and foremost, your Middlesex County specific attorney will be familiar not only with the types of cases going on in Middlesex County court but also likely the judges and/or magistrates on the cases with which they are most frequent; not only that but also any standing orders that exist and practice in that county.
A local attorney will also typically have local connections that they can leverage on your behalf. Lastly, a local attorney is apt to be most familiar with community based legal problems which may be part of your specific legal issue.
Selecting the Right Family Law Attorney
When it comes to family law matters, finding the right attorney is crucial to your case. Decisions made during a divorce or custody battle can have lasting implications for you and your children, so you want a legal advocate who can ensure that your rights and interests are fully protected. Below, we explain how to find the right family law attorney for your unique needs.
We know that the process of finding a family law attorney can be overwhelming. You’ve probably heard of a few from friends and family, but you aren’t quite sure which one would be the best fit. What’s worse is that even if you have a few options in mind, some family law offices are much better at marketing than others. Law firm websites are all about putting their best foot forward, and you can usually read testimonials on a site or third-party review sites.
While these reviews can be helpful, they should not be your only consideration. Some testimonials are fake, and others are fabricated or taken out of context by the attorney. You should also take into account that the former client who wrote the review may have had a totally different experience than what you could expect based on your unique situation. Finally, a good family law attorney isn’t always the most well-reviewed; some attorneys win a lot of cases but do not have great relationships with their clients because of their abrasive personalities. If you are the same way, then an abrasive attorney might work well for you.
If online reviews are not your only consideration, you can ask your friends, family or colleagues for referrals, and consider their experience with that specific attorney . Once you have a short list of several family law attorneys that you are considering, set up an initial consultation with each of them. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the family law attorney you choose since you will be having intimate conversations with them about your family and finances.
Find out everything you can about your prospective attorney’s experience with similar cases. In rare cases, a novice could get lucky, but usually a successful family law case comes from a successful family law attorney. This is especially true for multi-state cases, where something as simple as where a child is living could significantly impact which state jurisdiction will preside over the case. Find out how long the family law attorney has been practicing and what their education has been like. Ask to see their law school transcript to find out whether they did well in the area of law that your case will be focusing on. While good family law attorneys do not need to come from top law schools, they still should have done relatively well in school.
If a divorce is imminent, the length of your relationship with your attorney may not be very long, but you should still consider how likely it is that you and the attorney will continue to get along. What is the attorney’s communication style? Call or email the attorney and see how long it takes them to get back to you, then do the same with another attorney on your list and see if there’s a difference. Remember that it’s important that you feel comfortable with the attorney because you will be giving them intimate details about your lives. Is the attorney empathetic? Does the attorney put you at ease? Does he or she listen or interrupt?