Warren, NJ Family Law Lawyer

Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP

101 Town Center Drive, Suite 117 P.O. Box 4643 Warren, New Jersey 07059 USA

 (908) 922-4238
 (908) 753-4189

www.cswlawnj.com
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Law Firm Overview

At Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP law firm, we provide clients with a unique combination of personalized, compassionate legal counsel and a wealth of family law knowledge and experience. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping families resolve their disputes and to protecting their rights, financial security, and their children.

With over 85 years of combined legal experience, we offer a team of knowledgeable certified matrimonial attorneys, devoted to serving the immediate and long-term needs of our clients and their families. We can provide the effective representation you need to achieve results.

Our firm comprised of experienced and certified matrimonial attorneys dedicated to the practice of family law, including divorce, spousal support, custody, property division, and prenuptial agreements.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Collaborative Divorce, Grandparent Rights, College Expense, Parental Relocations, Civil Unions, Cohabitation & Palimony, Division of Non-Retirement and Retirement Assets and Debts, Parenting Coordination & Guardian Ad Litem, Enforcements & Modifications,

Practice Areas Description

- Divorce

Divorce is a difficult process that involves the division of property, emotional separation, and disruption for any family. When entering into the divorce process, it is important for you to explore all of your options and alternatives before making significant decisions that will affect your security, your children, and your future. At Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP , our attorneys provide honest, forthright legal advice and take necessary legal action to protect the rights and security of our clients. Whether we are representing your interests in mediation or advocating in court, we provide results-driven legal service on behalf of every client.


- Mediation

At Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP, we are dedicated to employing mediation, as well as other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), as a way to resolve issues in a divorce. Whether we are addressing child custody, child support, spousal support, the division of property, premarital agreements, or virtually every issue that can arise in a family matter, our New Jersey family law mediation attorneys can work to resolve the disputes of both parties in a cooperative forum.


- Arbitration

Arbitration can be binding or not binding, unlike mediation, and results in a decision made by an arbitrator. The parties determine, at the onset, whether the arbitrator's decision will be binding and establish the specific ground rules to be followed in the arbitration. Through the arbitration process, the arbitrator hears testimony and accepts evidence. At the end of the arbitration hearing, the arbiter will make a final decision about all of the issues presented in the case.


- Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative law provides a team approach that emphasizes negotiation and settlement without contentious and costly court battles. In a collaborative divorce or custody dispute, the parties hire attorneys who are trained in the collaborative process, and who are committed to resolving all issues in a non-adversarial way. Other professionals may be added to the team to assist in the collaborative process, but only as the parties and the attorneys agree they are needed. These professionals may be coaches, child specialists, financial advisors, forensic accountants or other experts needed to address specific issues unique to the case.


- Child Custody

Child custody can be one of the most contested and highly emotional issues in a divorce. If you are concerned about protecting your rights to maintain or share the custody of your children, it is important that you consult with a skilled Somerset County child custody attorney to ensure that your rights and your children are protected.


- Mediation

Our attorneys are experienced in mediation both privately and through the court-mandated program. Amy Zylman Shimalla and Amy Wechsler helped to create the custody mediation program that has been in effect in Somerset County since 1995. All of our attorneys are experienced custody mediators. We are also experienced advocates in representing parties who participate in mediation to address custody issues. In all cases, whether we serve as mediators or as advocates, the best interests of the child are a priority with the attorneys at Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP, in Warren, New Jersey.


- Grandparent Rights

The United States Supreme Court ruled that, in most instances a court cannot interfere with a parent's constitutional right to rear his or her children by mandating grandparent visitation. Nevertheless, there are exceptional circumstances in which grandparents can be entitled to visitation with their grandchildren. Our experienced attorneys can help you analyze your particular case and help facilitate resolution.


- Parenting Time/Visitation

When a family transitions from one household to two, the reality is that both parents will have to give up time with the children. At Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, L.L.P. we promote open and amicable resolutions to ease the strain and emotional trauma on everyone involved. When necessary, we have the skills and experience to protect your parental rights in court.


- Child Support

Whether you are worried about ensuring that you and your children receive support or you are concerned about avoiding unfair or excessive support obligations, our attorneys understand your needs and will work to protect your rights. Our attorneys are skilled at addressing a wide range of financial issues in family matters, from cases in which parties are struggling to make ends meet to matters in which the parties have substantial wealth and high incomes.


- College Expense & Child Support

Unlike most states which do not require parents to pay for college tuition, New Jersey is an exception. New Jersey case law provides standards under which courts will order parents to contribute to their child's college tuition, as well as the impact of college on child support obligations. The unique circumstances of each case are taken into consideration in making these determinations. That is why you need an experienced New Jersey college support agreement attorney with whom to discuss your particular case.


- Parental Relocations

Separation and divorce are emotionally difficult for everyone involved, especially the children. Most custody and parenting time agreements establish schedules and arrangements that allow adequate time and healthy on-going relationships with both parents. When one parent wants to move with the children to another state, or even another country, those schedules and relationships will be affected. A parent who seeks to relocate away from New Jersey with the children must either have the consent of the other parent or obtain a court order permitting the move. If you move without consent or a court order, you may face sanctions or even lose your custody rights.


- Spousal Support

Throughout a marriage, couples make decisions that affect how they divide financial and caretaking responsibilities. When the marriage ends, it can be difficult to assess the needs of both parties based on the arrangements that existed before the divorce. If you are facing divorce and are concerned about collecting or paying spousal support or alimony, our attorneys at Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP are dedicated to securing the financial futures of our clients throughout the divorce process.


- Prenuptial Agreements

Marriage is an exciting time, filled with romance and hopes for a long and prosperous future. Many couples are reluctant to sign prenuptial or premarital agreements because they feel that they bode poorly for the marriage. Despite these reservations, a premarital agreement can be an important tool to help protect the rights and interests of both parties at the time of death or in the event of divorce. Premarital agreements address how assets will be allocated or preserved in the event of a divorce, as well as whether, and to what extent, either party may have an obligation to pay alimony to the other. At Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP our Warren, New Jersey attorneys can assist you in drafting or reviewing a prenuptial agreement that will secure your financial interests and rights.


- Civil Unions

New Jersey has enhanced the legal rights and responsibilities of same-sex couples. While our civil union law is far from ideal, its stated goal is to provide the same legal rights as those enjoyed by heterosexual married couples, including rights involving dissolution of civil unions, which is the equivalent of a divorce.


- Cohabitation & Palimony

Just because you and your partner decide not to marry, that does not mean you do not have any rights or obligations under the law. Cohabitation agreements regarding property divisions and finances are recognized in New Jersey. A highly skilled New Jersey cohabitation and palimony attorney at Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP, can represent you in your cohabitation or palimony matter.


- Division of Non-Retirement and Retirement Assets and Debts

The division of property accumulated during the marriage (equitable distribution) is often one of the most contentious aspects of a divorce or dissolution. The attorneys at Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP are experienced in negotiating agreements that provide our clients with the assets to which they are entitled. As necessary, we work with appraisers, business valuation experts, and accountants to obtain accurate values of property such as real estate, securities, stock options, corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, retirement assets, valuable collections and personal property. To ensure your rights are protected in the division of assets, contact our office for assistance.


- Enforcements & Modifications

After a divorce is finalized, certain arrangements for child support, custody, spousal support, and parenting time will become part of an enforceable court order. However, these matters may be subject to modification should there be a substantial change in circumstances. At Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP we have significant experience in helping individuals and families modify or enforce divorce and custody related court orders.


- Parenting Coordination & Guardian Ad Litem

Child custody and parenting time disputes can range from narrow issues, such as holiday schedules, to broader issues regarding whether one parent will have primary custody, or whether custody will be shared. When establishing an overall custody plan, courts sometimes appoint a guardian ad litem to gather information about the parties and the children, and to make recommendations to the Court as to what the custody and parenting plan should be. Once a custody plan has been established, parties may still have continuing difficulties when it comes to implementing that plan and handling narrow issues. Parenting Coordination is an alternative to seeking court intervention as on-going problems arise.


- Domestic Violence

A divorce or other family dispute can involve domestic violence. Anger and emotions can lead to assault, threats, harassment or other abuse between family members, roommates and dating couples. When that conduct warrants protection under the law, our attorneys can provide representation. While domestic violence is taken very seriously in New Jersey, in some instances, individuals file false domestic violence charges to gain an advantage during divorce or other conflicts. At Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP in Warren, New Jersey, our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients when domestic violence issues arise.

Attorneys

	Heidi Ann Lepp Attorney Collaborative Law, Divorce, Family Law		Amy Zylman Shimalla Attorney Divorce, Family Law, Litigation, Mediation
	Amy Wechsler Attorney Alternative Dispute Resolution, Collaborative Law, Divorce, Family Law

More Information on Shimalla, Wechsler & Lepp, LLP

Warren, NJ Family Law Lawyers
Divorce Attorneys in Warren, NJ
Mediation Law Firm in Warren, NJ
Warren, NJ Arbitration Law Office
Collaborative Divorce Lawyers in Warren, NJ
Child Custody Lawyers in Warren, NJ
Warren, NJ Parenting Time/Visitation Attorneys
Child Support Lawyers in Warren, NJ
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