My practice is about helping you with family issues at all levels, including:

• Divorce

• Custody and contested custody

• Child support

• Visitation and support issues

• Post-decree issues

• Dissolution

Divorce today requires a complete understanding of all aspects of marriage, family, and the financial complexities that are a part of marriage. Custody, as well as visitation matters, are some of these complexities, and I will help you understand what your rights are.

When children are involved, the parties must reach an agreement as to what parenting arrangements would be in their best interest. The issues include whether shared parenting - often thought of as “joint custody” - would work best or if a more typical sole custody arrangement is called for. As your advocate, I can help you work with the other party and the court to come to a schedule that is in the best interests of everyone, primarily the children.

Contested custody matters can also involve people who have not married but have had children together. These matters can also include third parties, such as grandparents.

We want to be sure all parties have the opportunity to communicate with each other regarding the children. These parties can then negotiate a Shared Parenting Plan. This plan includes not only the allocation of time spent with each parent but also matters pertaining to school, religion, discipline, health, and child support. The court will adopt the Shared Parenting Plan if it is judged to be in the children’s best interest.

If shared parenting is not warranted, then either parent may ask the court to be named the sole residential parent of the minor children. The court will look to the best interest of the children in making a custody determination. The outcome is fact-dependent and, therefore, specific to each case.

In all family issues, you must be actively involved in reaching a decision that is right for you and your family. A substantial part of my role as your attorney is to provide you with all the information required to make those decisions and to assist you in understanding the legal process, your rights, and your responsibilities.

When there are children involved, it is vital to preserve as much reasonableness in the advocacy process as possible. To ensure that there will be the least amount of harm to the children, as your advocate, I will focus on helping you to the fullest extent possible, while staying within the bounds of what is reasonable for each party involved.

Few legal areas are as emotionally charged as divorce proceedings. Many legal matters arise when a marriage is to be dissolved, and it can be a confusing process. The more knowledge you have, the better you can cope with the stress and reach a resolution that works for you.

I have extensive experience in both litigation and non-adversarial alternatives, such as mediation. Mediation can save time and money, and preserve relationships to the extent possible. I also handle post-decree matters, including support and visitation rights, as well as the enforcement of court orders.

Family law is an aspect of the legal process that is, of necessity, intensely personal. Clients need strong support through these emotional times so that calm and reasoned decision-making can occur.

When you are forced to face the reality that your family can no longer function together, you must find the best route to effective and creative ways to resolve the important issues of custody and support, as well as the division of property and debt. The better you can do this, the better equipped you will be after the divorce to move forward and assist your children in adjusting to their changed family.

The court system has limited solutions that it can provide for your family. A creative attorney can permit your family to step out of the box and into a settlement that is personally designed to meet your family’s needs.

I STRIVE TO PROVIDE MY CLIENTS WITH SKILLED REPRESENTATION, SUPPORT, AND ADVICE DURING DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL TIMES.