Family Law

Overview

Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C.’s premier Family Law Group is comprised of trusted advisors dedicated to serving clients and families throughout the state of New Jersey, with office locations in Bergen and Monmouth counties. Whether you are facing a complex litigation requiring trial, are in a position of negotiating issues toward an agreement, seeking resolution through mediation, or pursuing an uncontested divorce, our compassionate and experienced professionals are here to guide you. Moreover, our team’s collective decades of experience are coupled with the valuable insights of our colleagues at Pashman Stein, including retired family law judges, experienced trial attorneys, and seasoned mediators.

We represent our family law clients in an efficient and cost-effective manner, bringing civility and respect to each case and recognizing that each client’s family and personal circumstances are unique. We are proactive in developing innovative solutions to challenging issues, with understanding and sensitivity.

Multidisciplinary Approach

Our Family Law Group understands that other significant legal matters often overlap with matrimonial issues, and our firm’s holistic and multidisciplinary approach to practicing law ensures that you can access and receive additional strategic guidance and counsel. Whether you are modifying your will or need other estate planning; protecting your business interests; purchasing or selling real estate; facing quasi-criminal or criminal charges; or considering bankruptcy, our Family Law Group collaborates with attorneys in the firm’s Trusts & Estates, Corporate & Business Law, Real Estate, Criminal Law, and Bankruptcy practices as needed to best support you and your objectives.

Appellate Advocacy

If your case is on appeal, or if you are considering appealing an unfavorable decision and need a fresh perspective and legal analysis, our Family Law Group works closely with the firm’s renowned Appellate Advocacy practice, which handles appeals with skill and strategy. In addition, the Honorable Ellen L. Koblitz, a retired Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division who also served as a Bergen County family court judge for more than 10 years provides invaluable insights on appellate matters to our clients and team. Together, our Family Law and Appellate Advocacy practices are a formidable team, focused on achieving the best possible outcome for your case.

Full Scope of Family Law Matters

With a deep understanding of New Jersey family law, we are committed to providing you with the support and expertise needed to navigate the legal complexities surrounding your family issues, and are at your side during all stages of divorce and other family law litigation from pre- to post-judgment, including:

Divorce/Dissolution Matters
- Alimony
- Business Valuation
- Child Custody
- Child Support
Equitable Distribution Non-Dissolution Matters (Custody in Non-Divorce Cases)
Domestic Violence and Victim’s Assistance and Survivor Protection Act (VASPA) Matters
Quasi-Criminal Matters
Child Abuse/Neglect Matters
Adoption Matters
Termination of Parental and Adoption Rights
Kinship and Legal Guardianship
Juvenile Family Crisis

Additionally, we counsel our clients on matters involving cohabitation, college contribution, civil unions, emancipation, family-related immigration issues, grandparent rights, guardian-ad-litem work, international custody, LGBTQ families, palimony, parenting time, prenuptial agreements, and relocation, among others.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

We appreciate the value of civility in matrimonial disputes and know that not every issue requires litigation. As such, we regularly look to alternative dispute resolution, often with counsel from our internal team of arbitrators and mediators, who include:

Honorable Ronny Jo Siegal (Ret.), Partner, a former judge who served for more than eight years with the New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part. Judge Siegal is an arbitrator and a court-approved family law mediator.
Honorable Ellen L. Koblitz (Ret.), Special Counsel, who served as a Judge for more than 27 years, including 10 years as a Judge in the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court, including two years as Presiding Judge, 10 years as Presiding Judge of the Family Part, and two years as Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division in Bergen County. Judge Koblitz mediates Chancery, Civil and Family Part matters, is a court-approved family law mediator, and is an Arbitrator at the American Arbitration Association (Consumer Panel).
Jhanice V. Domingo, Esq., Partner and member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, Family Law, and Litigation practices, is a court-approved mediator and handles both court-appointed and private mediation of family law matters. Jhanice also serves as an Early Settlement Panelist and Economic Mediator for various counties in north, central, and south Jersey, including, but not limited to: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties.