Hackensack Family Lawyers

Goodman & Leopold L.L.P

3 University Plaza, Suite 350
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
USA

(201) 575-4925 or (877) 895-7203

(201) 343-7336

www.goodmanleopoldlaw.com

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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

The attorneys at the law firm of Goodman & Leopold L.L.P., are serious lawyers in serious times. We understand that no matter what family law issue you are facing, you are going through one of the most difficult times in your life. We know that family law matters involve delicate and private issues. Be assured that we take your case seriously. We will put all the legal knowledge and strength we have accumulated, over the course of more than 30 years of practicing law, into getting you the results you need. We will compassionately and intelligently guide you through the entire process.

At our law firm, aggressive means pushing forward to do what is right for you. And so, our attorneys provide aggressive representation in all areas of family law. We believe that the outcome of your case will set the stage for the rest of your life, so we want to make certain that the right decisions are made for you. Whether it will be resolved through settlement or trial we will thoroughly review your case. When we make our recommendation to you, we will take into account the investment of time and money that goes into a trial. We will only advise you to settle if we believe the results of the settlement would leave you in the same position, or better, than if your case was decided by a judge at trial.

Some lawyers become scarce after 5 p.m. — not us. When you call us or send us an e-mail, you can expect a quick response, not only during business hours, but whenever you need us. When you retain us, you will get our cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses. We are available at night and on weekends. You will deal with your lawyer directly at all times, from the start of your case to the finish. Contact us for a free consultation. Call 877-895-7203 or send us an e-mail to discuss your case with our Hackensack family lawyers.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Post Judgment Modification, Parental Relocation, Same-sex Marriage, Same-sex Divorce, Civil Union, Property Division, Equitable Distribution, Restraining Order Violation, Matrimonial Law,

Practice Areas Description

- Child Custody

If you have a child and are going through a divorce, you want to make certain you do everything you can to maintain your relationship with your child. One of the most shocking aspects of post-divorce life is having to adjust to not seeing your child on a daily basis. You want to make certain you can spend as much time with your son or daughter as possible and remain involved in their lives. The same is true if you are involved in a paternity dispute.

- Child Support

One fact that cannot be disputed during a divorce or paternity case is that it costs money to raise a child. Both parents will have to financially support the child, but one will most likely be required to provide his or her support in the form of regular child support payments. This is where the issue can become complex, because you want to make certain that the amount of child support is fair for you and your child.

- Alimony

Alimony, also referred to as spousal maintenance or spousal support, is not a factor in every divorce case. When a short-term marriage comes to an end, it will probably not be an issue. It may not be an issue in cases in which both spouses have a similar income, which is not uncommon. However, in long term-marriages in which one spouse stayed at home to raise a child or earned a significantly lower income than the other, alimony will be a factor.

- Paternity

Mothers and fathers of children born out of wedlock have rights. The mother has the right to child support from the father. The father has the right to child custody or visitation arrangements so he can be part of his child's life. With these rights come obligations. A mother cannot expect child support without being willing to let the father be part of the child's life. A father cannot expect to be part of a child's life without paying child support. No matter what situation you are in, taking advantage of your parental rights begins with a paternity case.

- Post Judgment Modification

Perhaps something has come up that nobody expected at the time your divorce arrangements or other agreements were made. Perhaps something has come up that should have been anticipated but was somehow overlooked. You may be able to make modifications to these arrangements so that they make sense based on your current situation.

- Parental Relocation

One parent cannot simply move out of the city, out of the state or out of the country. Parental move-aways in New Jersey are to be handled a certain way. Whether you are in the midst of a divorce or you and your former spouse have been apart for years, the courts want to make certain that your child's best interests are looked after. Ideally, courts always want both parents to be part of the child's life, and moving away could jeopardize that.

- Pre-nuptial Agreement

Preparation is always a good idea, even if the preparation is for something that you hope will never happen: divorce. Prenuptial agreements, as well as the lesser-known postnuptial agreements, are designed to protect both parties in the event that a divorce becomes necessary. These documents can protect homes, businesses and other specific assets, or simply outline how bank accounts will be divided. Not only does a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement make the divorce process more efficient, it makes it less costly.

- Divorce

The realities of divorced life can be shocking. The transition from living as a family unit under one roof, with one mortgage, is no simple matter. Simply making ends meet with one income instead of two can be a trial in itself. If there are children involved, you are going to go from seeing your son or daughter every day of the week to seeing him or her on a schedule.

- Same-sex Marriage

While same-sex marriage is unfortunately not yet legally recognized in New Jersey, same-sex couples do have alternatives. Domestic partnerships were recognized beginning in 2004. In 2006, this option was replaced with the more powerful civil unions. While a civil union offers many of the same features as marriage, it is not quite the same.

- Same-sex Divorce
Same-sex marriage is unfortunately not yet legally recognized in New Jersey, meaning that same-sex divorce is not technically a reality. However, the term same-sex divorce is often used to refer to the dissolution of a domestic partnership or civil union. This is a fairly new area of law that is currently being pioneered by forward-thinking law firms. We are proud to be one of them.

- Civil Union

Instituted in 2006, the Civil Union Act provides same-sex couples with almost all of the same rights granted to married couples under New Jersey state law. Unfortunately, same-sex couples who enter into civil unions are still not entitled to the various rights offered to married couples under federal law. This is due to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). By retaining an experienced family law attorney, a couple entering into a civil union can be confident that they are taking advantage of every right available and setting the stage for a strong future together.

- Property Division

When going through a divorce, one of the most pressing concerns is the division of marital assets. We will help you protect what you earned and accumulated during the marriage, and what you had prior to getting married. This is no simple task. While your focus may be on how your home will be divided, you also have other property you want to protect. The strategy used to protect it may depend on the nature of the property itself.

- Equitable Distribution

Equitable distribution is the legal term for the manner in which property is divided during a divorce. This is an aspect of divorce that almost always catches people by surprise. People often expect that property will simply be divided in half and split equally between spouses. That is not necessarily the case. Equitable does not mean equal.

- Domestic Violence

Divorce and domestic violence are two issues that will always be interlinked. Not only is spousal abuse a cause of divorce, but the divorce process itself, with all of the emotional tension involved, can lead to allegations of abuse, both true and false. Of course, domestic violence can occur outside of the divorce context as well. It can emerge in relation to paternity cases, or between spouses in a civil union. Even roommates who get into a physical argument could get caught up in a domestic violence case. Whether you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you have been accused of hurting someone, retaining an attorney is a good idea.

- Restraining Order Violation

If you believe that you are at risk of becoming a victim of domestic violence, or you already have been, there is no reason to hesitate in getting a restraining order. These are designed to protect you, and an experienced lawyer can help you take advantage of that protection. If a restraining order has been issued against you, and you believe it was unjust, our attorneys can help you review your options.

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