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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION
FEB/MARCH 2018
Divorce Lawyers Dedicated Solely to New Jersey Family Law A firm devoted solely to practicing family law, Shimalla,Wechsler, Lepp & D’Onofrio, LLP, provides exceptional services through both litigation and alternative dispute resolution.We will defend your rights and best interests at every stage of the process, and seek solutions through an intelligent and practical approach to divorce. Dependable Legal Guidance Tailored to Your Needs and Focused on Results Our lawyers provide practical guidance, advice, and recommendations to help our clients establish realistic objectives and understand the various legal options at their disposal. Our attorneys specialize in: • Dissolutions of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships • Child custody, parenting time, and child support • Alimony, palimony, and spousal support • Equitable distribution of assets and liabilities • Domestic violence Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Our attorneys understand that divorce affects every family differently.We will take the time to understand your unique circumstances and devise legal solutions tailored to suit the needs of your family. In all cases, our lawyers will explain the avenues of mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law as non-adversarial alternatives to taking a case to court.When litigation in the courts is the appropriate option, we use our substantial experience and skills to take proactive and decisive action on your behalf. Our firm takes pride in providing results-driven legal services on your behalf and we remain dedicated to your best interests throughout the process. All four of our partners are trained in mediation and collaborative family law. In addition, our firm received a First Tier ranking in New Jersey Family Law Mediation by U.S. News – Best Lawyers ® for the Sixth Edition of Best Law Firms*, and three of our partners are certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Certified Matrimonial Law Attorneys. We are committed to providing superior legal representation that yields favorable results in an efficient and timely manner, while helping to reduce the emotional and financial toll on the family, and focusing on your specific goals to help you build a brighter future. High-Quality Family Law Solutions Backed by 110 Years of Experience Michele E. D’Onofrio Amy Zylman Shimalla AmyWechsler Heidi Ann Lepp Shimalla,Wechsler, Lepp & D’Onofrio, LLP 101 Town Center, Suite 117,Warren, NJ 07059 (908) 922-4238 info@swldfamilylaw.com • www.swldfamilylaw.com Serving clients in most NJ counties including Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Union & Morris counties. *Best Lawyers® inclusion is based entirely on peer-review. Information on the selection process can be found at http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/methodology.aspx. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Once your marriage or relationship is headed for divorce, separation or a cus- tody determination, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the most appropriate process based on your circumstances to get you and your family to a final resolution. You have a number of choices as to how to proceed including Litigation, Mediation or Collaborative Family Law. Litigation - Litigation is the tradition- al path most people think of when decid- ing to separate. In many instances, litiga- tion is commenced by the filing of a com- plaint, after which the attorneys for the parties will guide the process through the court system. Litigation often leads to settlement involving mediation and/or negotiations. If a matter does not settle, a judge will render a decision after a trial. Mediation - Mediation is a confiden- tial process in which a neutral profession- al (usually an attorney), meets with both parties to discuss and address all of their issues. Because the process is confiden- tial, clients are better able to openly talk about their concerns, ask questions, and discuss settlement options. The mediator facilitates communication, the exchange of information and negotiations. The parties can have their own lawyers pres- ent or they can participate on their own. Many mediation clients engage lawyers to provide advice as needed, but not nec- essarily to attend the mediation sessions. When mediation concludes, the media- tor prepares a Memorandum of Under- standing setting forth the parties’ agree- ment, which can then be converted to a binding settlement agreement. Collaborative Family Law - In Col- laborative Family Law, clients hire lawyers for the express purpose of settling the case without litigation. Although each client has his/her own lawyer to advocate for their interests, both of the clients and both of the lawyers together sign a Par- ticipation Agreement, by which all agree to work cooperatively, provide full disclo- sure of information, and to not initiate litigation. This process is a very real investment in making every effort to work together for the best interests of everyone in the family. Like mediation, Collaborative Family Law is a confidential process. In Mediation and Collaborative Family Law, couples are able to fashion agree- ments tailored to meet the individual needs of their families. There are no court orders or schedules that require submissions to a judge, court appear- ances, or trials. Meetings are held when it is convenient, and the clients deter- mine the timetable for working through the issues. Once an agreement is reached, parties sign a binding settle- ment agreement, and the formal divorce process can be filed and concluded with- in a matter of weeks. Mediation and Collaborative Family Law are not options in all cases. Litiga- tion is needed in some circumstances such as an uncooperative spouse, hidden assets, or abuse. In choosing the right process for your family, speak to some- one who is knowledgeable about these options so you can make an informed choice about the most appropriate way to proceed. The experienced and knowl- edgeable attorneys at Shimalla, Wech- sler, Lepp & D’Onofrio, LLP are here to assist you in all of your family law mat- ters, including all manner of divorce, cus- tody, support, domestic violence. Please visit our website or contact us at 908- 753-3833 to schedule a consultation. Resolving your divorce is a complicat- ed process. A trained family law attorney can guide you through the complexities. DIVORCE - MOVING FORWARD By: Amy Wechsler and Michele D’Onofrio www.theconnectionsnj.com