Our Areas of Practice

Family Law

When it comes to family law, complex and sensitive issues can result in outcomes with lifelong emotional and financial consequences. At Riker Danzig, our family law attorneys have the experience and resources to address and resolve your family's needs and legal concerns. Our practice is unique in its emphasis on complex financial matters and issues beyond the traditional, such as cohabitation agreements and dissolution of domestic partnerships and palimony, including for same-sex couples. We are proud of our reputation for representing our clients loyally and vigorously in the successful resolution of their often-sophisticated divorce and domestic relations matters, whether through litigation at trial or on appeal, or through mediation/arbitration.

The depth and scope of services our practice offers places Riker Danzig at the forefront of family law matters in New Jersey. Our commitment to New Jersey families distinguishes us from other firms, contributing to our statewide reputation for excellence. Not only have we been practicing family law in New Jersey for decades, but our family law attorneys devote 100 percent of their time to family law. We have the advantage of offering the client a diverse hourly billing opportunity ranging from young attorneys with Family Part judicial clerkship experience to senior partners with over 25 years of experience in family law. Our diverse talents enable us to fully serve the unique needs of each individual client, while utilizing the resources only available at a large firm. The firm's full resources in trusts and estates, tax, appellate, corporate and real estate law, including the seasoned counsel of former New Jersey State Supreme Court Justices whose opinions have helped structure New Jersey's family law, lend strength to our integrated approach toward problem-solving.

We are also highly recognized for our contributions to New Jersey family law outside of the office. We have held positions on numerous New Jersey Supreme Court committees and in bar association sections, and are frequent authors and speakers on family law topics. Please feel free to browse the qualifications and background of our outstanding domestic relations attorneys.

Divorce
As attorneys focused on family law issues, we are sensitive to the needs of our clients and understand that every case is unique and must be approached individually. We work closely with our clients to achieve their particular goals, providing seasoned counsel in meeting present and future financial needs, and in resolving all issues concerning children, alimony, child support, medical coverage, education expenses, and equitable distribution of property. Our experience and knowledge of New Jersey divorce law allow us to confidently guide our clients through the legal process.

Child Custody
We understand the emotions involved during a divorce; this is no more true than when children are concerned. Custody matters require special and unique legal skills, as well as sensitivity. We handle contested custody, change of custody, and relocation cases. We thoroughly investigate the needs of the child, the parent's availability, and child care costs including education. In addition, we have been at the forefront of obtaining grandparent visitation rights and have represented clients in a variety of adoption issues.

Pre-Nuptial, Cohabitation, and Property Settlement Agreements
Our services include the negotiation and preparation of sophisticated pre-nuptial, marital, separation, and property settlement agreements. In this area, we are able to draw upon and integrate the firm's broad range of legal experience, in particular from the tax, real estate, corporate, closely held business and trust and estates departments. We also have been recognized for successfully representing clients in cohabitation cases.

Complex Matrimonial Issues
We are well versed in handling complicated valuation issues in high-income and asset cases involving closely held businesses, partnerships, professional practices, pensions, profit sharing plans, and stock options, units and warrants. In determining support and equitable distribution positions, we also provide sophisticated estate planning and tax advice.

Domestic Violence
One of our partners serves on the Board of Trustees of Jersey Battered Women's Services. Other of our family law attorneys have won precedent-setting court decisions for JBWS, protecting the privacy and safety of women in shelters. We assist our clients, both men and women, in obtaining and defending against domestic violence restraining orders.

Appeals
In addition to handling matters on behalf of our clients at the trial level, we have successfully represented clients in numerous appellate cases involving all aspects of family law, including in particular complex equitable distribution and valuation issues, custody relocation, child support, and alimony awards.

Post-Judgment Modification and Enforcement
Often issues arise after the final judgment of divorce is entered. We handle the full array of post-judgment applications including modification issues concerning alimony, child support, changes in primary residence and changes in parenting time schedules.

Palimony and Dissolution of Civil Unions
We have been leaders in New Jersey in writing on and addressing issues of non-married partners, including same sex partners. Dissolution of these relationships is often complex with its own very specific considerations. We have litigated and negotiated settlements in these cases, involving custody, support, palimony and division of property.