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Trenton Family Lawyer

Experienced Family Lawyers That You Can Trust

Whether you’re getting married, contemplating a divorce, going through the adoption process, or dealing with the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly known as the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS)), you need an experienced Trenton family lawyer who can guide you every step of the way. Our Trenton family lawyers and Trenton DYFS lawyers have been representing residents for decades, and we promise to use this experience to help you make informed decisions with your and your family’s best interests in mind.

Don’t wait to hire a Trenton family lawyer. You’re not alone. Oftentimes, people only seek professional help after trying and failing to handle a complex legal matter on their own. If you think you may need help, the odds are that you probably do, and we encourage you to schedule a time to discuss your legal needs with one of our trusted lawyers in confidence.

We Provide Personalized and Compassionate for All Family-Related Legal Matters

Within our family law practice, we provide skilled, personalized, and compassionate legal representation for individuals facing all types of family-related legal matters. This includes matters such as:

Adoptions

If you are planning to adopt in Trenton, it’s important for you to work with a family lawyer who has significant experience navigating the adoption process in New Jersey. Our compassionate family lawyers will help you have a seamless, stress-free experience as you navigate this complex legal process by guiding you through the process and preparing you for any setbacks. We assist individuals and couples with all types of adoptions, including:

• Private adoptions
• Foster parent adoptions through the New Jersey Department of Children and Families
• Same-sex couple adoptions
• Step-parent adoptions
• Grandparent adoptions
• Adoptions of children with special needs

Child Custody and Visitation

Under New Jersey law, all child custody arrangements must reflect the best interests of the children involved. During divorce or separation, parents must address New Jersey’s long list of statutory “best interests” factors as they develop a parenting plan with court approval. Our family lawyers are sensitive in this oftentimes difficult, emotional process by helping fight for fair child custody and visitation rights. We also continue to advocate for our clients post-divorce and post-separation with child custody enforcement and modification proceedings.

Child Support

New Jersey law requires both parents to provide financial support for their children following a divorce or separation. In most cases, calculating child support involves applying the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines to parents’ financial circumstances. But, in some cases divorcing and separating parents will need to consider other factors when calculating child support, such as saving for their children’s college outside of child support as well. As experienced family lawyers, we understand how important it is to account for all factors and we’re ready to help you with all your child support needs. 

Divorce

We understand that getting divorced is a process that needs to be effective in protecting each spouse's interests. That is why it is imperative that divorcing spouses rely on the sound advice and representation of an experienced family lawyer.

Our Trenton divorce lawyers at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. have significant experience in the divorce process. When you choose a lawyer at our firm, we promise to guide you step-by-step through the process of:

• Marital property division
• Marital debt division
• Child custody and parenting time
• Child support and other child-related expenses
• Spousal support (or alimony)

We work to help our clients achieve peaceful resolutions, recommending that our clients pursue mediation when it makes sense to do so. However, if court is necessary, we work tirelessly to protect our client's interests.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence in Trenton, our family attorneys can help you obtain protection under New Jersey's Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PDVA). Under the PDVA, victims of domestic violence can obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO) on an emergency basis, without their abuser having the right to appear in court. Our Trenton domestic violence lawyers at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. can assist you in immediately obtaining a TRO and guide you through the final restraining order that will provide long-term protection.

DYFS/DCPP Matters

The New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS, now also known as the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, or DCPP) is the state’s child welfare agency. It has the authority to separate children from their parents in appropriate cases, and it can also seek to permanently terminate parents’ rights.

If you are facing a DYFS investigation or need to restore your parental rights, we can help. One of our Trenton DYFS lawyers can arrange to meet with you as soon as possible and explain everything you need to know and deal with DYFS on your behalf.

Emancipation of Minors

When a child is emancipated in New Jersey, the child’s parents no longer have an obligation to provide financial support or have the right to make decisions on the child’s behalf. As a result, seeking emancipation is an important decision that has significant implications for everyone involved. If you have questions about emancipation, our family attorneys can help you.

Guardianship

Serving as a guardian allows family members or other loved ones the opportunity to provide necessary care and support to adults with disabilities and those who have become incapacitated. Establishing guardianship can be critical for ensuring a loved one’s well-being, but the process can be difficult. Our firm has significant experience helping family members and others establish general and limited guardianships, assisting with establishing powers of attorney, and other guardianship alternatives as well.  

Paternity and Fathers’ Rights

Establishing paternity is important for a variety of different reasons. While a child born to married parents is presumed to be the husband’s offspring, parents must formally establish paternity in other scenarios. In many cases, establishing paternity and establishing fathers’ rights go hand-in-hand. Our firm handles both issues and can help you whether you are seeking to establish paternity, dispute paternity, or protect your parental rights.

Prenuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements serve several important purposes for both parties. If you are preparing to get married and have questions about entering into a prenup, we encourage you to speak with a Trenton family lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. We can either draft a prenuptial agreement that is custom-tailored to your family and financial circumstances, or we can review your fiancé’s proposed prenup to help you decide whether you want to make changes.

FAQs: Resolving Family Law Matters in Trenton, NJ

Do I Need to Hire a Family Lawyer if I Am Planning to Adopt a Child in New Jersey?

It’s a good idea to hire a family lawyer if you are thinking about becoming an adoptive parent in New Jersey. The adoption process is complex and you will most likely have questions along the way. A Trenton family lawyer who is experienced in guiding parents through the adoption process can help you complete all of the necessary paperwork, prepare for your home study, and address any issues that may arise.

Does New Jersey Allow Spouses to File for Divorce Based on Irreconcilable Differences?

Yes, New Jersey allows spouses to file for divorce based on irreconcilable differences, which is also known as a “no-fault” divorce. If you and your spouse are ready to end your marriage, you can file at any time without needing to state a specific reason. Additionally, if you want to get divorced and your spouse does not, this will be considered an “irreconcilable difference” in most cases.

Do My Spouse and I Need Separate Lawyers if We Are Planning to Get Divorced?

Generally speaking, each spouse should have his or her lawyer during the divorce process. While divorcing spouses technically have the option to work with a single lawyer in many cases, this approach has several drawbacks and limitations. To make sure you are making informed decisions, you will want to work with a lawyer who specifically has your best interests in mind.

Is There Any Reason Not to Do a “DIY” Divorce Online?

There are lots of reasons not to try for a “do it yourself” divorce. Most simply, there are just too many issues you can potentially overlook. If you fail to address necessary issues during the divorce process, either (i) the judge won’t approve your divorce settlement, or (ii) you will be forced to deal with these issues at some point after bringing your marriage to an end. This can be far more stressful, time-consuming, and expensive than hiring a lawyer to guide you through the divorce process.

How Long Does the Divorce Process Take in New Jersey?

The answer to this question varies case by case. Spouses who are ready to get divorced and have relatively few assets will often be able to get through the divorce process fairly quickly. On the other hand, high net worth divorces and divorces involving minor children can take more time. Generally speaking, you can expect the divorce process to take at least a few months, although it could take significantly longer.

What Can I Do if My Former Spouse or Partner Isn’t Paying Child Support in Trenton?

If your former spouse or partner has stopped paying child support in Trenton, you should consult with a local family lawyer. There are several ways to enforce parents’ obligation to pay child support, including garnishing their wages and intercepting their tax refunds. To make sure you can collect the child support you are owed as soon as possible, you should schedule an initial consultation promptly. Our family lawyers regularly represent clients in child support matters.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation with a Trenton Family Lawyer Today

If you would like to speak with a family lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A., we invite you to schedule a confidential initial consultation. You can call our Trenton office at 609-337-2090 or contact us online and we will be in touch as soon as possible.