Divorce & Family Law

New Jersey Divorce and Family Law Attorneys

Assertive Representation and Decades of Experience

When the time has come to dissolve a marriage, a quality divorce attorney can guide you through the emotional upheaval and the legal disputes to a position of security and stability. Keith, Winters & Wenning, L.L.C. provides steady advice and vigorous protection of your interests throughout this potentially stressful process.

Our Bradley Beach law firm is on the cutting edge of Matrimonial and Family practice. We focus increasingly on Alternative Dispute Resolution to limit the acrimony, expense, and potentially harmful impact on children.  At the same time, we have the litigation savvy to protect your rights when a divorce goes to court. Serving Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex counties, we handle every facet of New Jersey Family law, including:

The New Wave in Divorce and Family Law

Increasingly, courts and clients are pushing for alternatives to adversarial negotiation and the nasty, costly business of courtroom battles. Our divorce lawyers are prepared and equipped for this change:

• Burton Fundler, a retired judge, extends his considerable wisdom to resolve divorce and family law disputes through Mediation or arbitration.
• Brian Winters is a Rule Qualified 1:40 mediator, an Early Settlement Panelist, and a member of the Jersey Shore Collaborative Group.  Brian has been Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Attorney.

Why Retain a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney?

Certified matrimonial law attorney is a designation granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court to attorneys who are able to demonstrate sufficient levels of experience, education, knowledge and skills in matrimonial law practice.  The Supreme Court, through its Board on Attorney Certification, designates only those lawyers who apply for certification and who are able to meet the standards set by the Board and approved by the Court.

A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law.  A New Jersey attorney who is certified by the Supreme Court as a matrimonial law attorney must have:

• been a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar for over 5 years
• fulfilled ongoing continuing legal education requirements
• demonstrated a substantial level of experience in matrimonial law
• been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his or her work
• taken and passed a written examination in matrimonial law
                    

Collaborative Law engages both parties to achieve an out-of-court agreement on property, child custody, and all terms of divorce. Whereas mediation involves a neutral third party to referee disputes, in collaborative divorce each person retains their own trusted lawyer. Though not binding on clients, the attorneys are ethically obliged to bow out if either client decides to go to court. In that case, you would have to hire a new attorney. Collaborative family law can also involve psychologists and other professionals to ensure that the best interests of children are considered. Contact us to learn more about the win-win approach of Collaboration Law.

Advocacy and Solutions

The divorce attorneys of Keith, Winters & Wenning, L.L.C. can handle equitable distribution of complex marital estates, including valuation of closely held businesses, real estate, investments, and retirement funds. We utilize experts as necessary to assure our clients receive their fair share in the property settlement.

When children are involved, our divorce lawyers seek to protect our clients' priorities while ensuring that the best interests of the child are served. We strive for custody and parenting agreements that are thorough and detailed to avoid future litigation.

Our family lawyers practice in every aspect of the field:

• We represent clients seeking or opposing post-divorce modifications, such as altering child support, adjusting parenting time, seeking sole custody, terminating alimony, or asking the court's permission to relocate out of state with children.
• We aggressively represent clients in contested custody matters.
• Brian Winters is an accomplished Appellate lawyer with substantial experience in appeals of divorce decrees and family court judgments.

• Our firm is proud to offer sound legal advice and comprehensive advocacy in adoption proceedings

Have you already been served with a Complaint for Divorce, Motion, or a "lawyer's letter"?  Do you have questions regarding legal terminology statutes or case law?  Ask us about any of the following:

Termination/Modification of alimony/Child Support : N.J.S.A. Section 2A:34.25; Lepis v. Lepis 83 N.J. 139 (1980)

Cohabitation: Konzelman v. Konzelman 158 N.J. 185 (1999); Gayet v. Gayet 92 N.J. 149 (1983); Garlinger v. Garlinger 137 N.J. Super 56 (1975)

Judgement of Divorce from Bed and board: N.J.S.A. Section 2A:34-3

Child Support and Alimony Considerations: N.J.S.A. Section 2A:34-23; Crews v. Crews 164 N.J. 11 (2000); Cox v. Cox 335 N.J. Super 456 (2000)

Equitable Distribution: N.J.S.A. Section 2A:34-23.1

Prevention of Domestic Violence Act: N.J.S.A. Section 2C:25-17 ct seq.

Change of Circumstances: Lepis v. Lepis 83 N.J. 139 (1980)

Removal of children from the state: Baures v. Lewis: 167 N.J. 91 (2001)

Emancipation: Filippone v. Lee 304 N.J. Super 301 (1997)

Paternity: N.J.S.A. Section 2A:17-56.53

Custody Evaluation: N.J.S.A. Section 9:2-4

Cause of Action for Divorce, Extreme Mental Cruelty, Adultery and 18 Month Separation: N.J.S.A. Section 2A:34-2

College Contribution: Newburgh v. Arrigo 88 N.J. 529 (1982)

Support Through Probation: N.J.S.A. Section 2A:17-56.9

Parent's Education Act: N.J.S.A. Section 2A:34-12.3

Anti-Retroactive Child Support Modification: N.J.S.A. Section 2A:17-56.23a

Whether you are contemplating divorce, or your spouse has filed papers, you need an experienced divorce lawyer who can negotiate acceptable, workable solutions, and serve as your legal backbone to stand up for your interests in litigation. Contact Keith, Winters & Wenning, L.L.C. for a free initial consultation.

Michael Wenning
Brian Winters
Brenda Winters
Burton Fundler
Amy Hansel