Family Law Overview

Morristown Family Law Attorney

Attorney Frank Grather heads our family law practice. Mr. Grather focuses on being proactive in family law matters--looking out for the best interests of his clients and taking an active step toward securing their future. Family law representation at our firm includes divorce, and its related issues of equitable distribution of property, alimony (spousal support), child support, and child custody. Family law representation and disputes may also involve palimony, pre-nuptial agreements, domestic violence, domestic torts, adoptions, and paternity cases. Mr. Grather also mediates family law disputes and represents same sex couples in the dissolution of civil unions and domestic partnerships.

If you would like to speak with a lawyer about your family law concern, contact Broderick, Newmark & Grather, P.C. to arrange a consultation.

Experienced Representation in Important Family Matters

Mr. Grather has been practicing law since 1965. Throughout the course of his legal career, many changes have come about in the area of family law. He is familiar with these changes and uses his experience to effectively address our clients' legal concerns. Our firm's representation of family law matters includes:

• Divorce: Mr. Grather is experienced in complex divorce litigation, specifically as it relates to equitable distribution of property, alimony (spousal support), child support, and child custody.
  • Equitable Distribution of Property is determined by the Court in accordance with decisional law and statutory guidelines and can involve many complex issues such as how that property is to be valued, what property is available for equitable distribution, valuation of property, and how property is to be divided.
  • Alimony (Spousal Support) is determined in accordance with decisional law and statutory guidelines and may continue for a set period or throughout the course of an ex-spouse's life.
  • Child Support is that amount paid to the parent of primary residence of the children (where the child or children spend the greater amount of time) by the parent of secondary residence; child support guidelines set by court rule determine the amount of payments to be made. Calculation of the amount and advice as to when and how payments are to be made are some of the many services provided.
  • Child Custody: In cases where parents are separating or divorcing, the State Legislature has determined that it is in the best interests of minor children that both parents have close and continuing contact (absent special circumstances) with their child or children. Both parents have an equal right to custody. Courts can enter awards of joint legal and physical custody and/or sole custody or any other combination which the court determines is in the best interests of the child. Mr. Grather has a wide range of experience in this field and can advise parents to help them decide what is best for them and their child or children.
• Prenuptial and Pre-Civil Union Agreements: Mr. Grather has on many occasions represented engaged clients who need a Prenuptial Agreement to protect assets acquired before a marriage and those whose spouse has presented them with a Prenuptial Agreement before marriage. Mr. Grather has defended Prenuptial Agreements in litigation and has represented litigants wishing to nullify prenuptial agreements that do not meet statutory requirements.
• Mediation of Family Law Issues: Mr. Grather has been trained as a mediator by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in connection with Rutgers University. Mediation can be an effective tool for some divorcing couples and an effective tool, for an effective mediator can resolve all disputed issues (such as alimony, equitable distribution, child support, child custody) between spouses either prior to or during litigation.
• Domestic Violence / Domestic Torts: Mr. Grather represents clients who are the victims of domestic violence and also represents spouses who have falsely been accused of domestic violence. Spouses who have been the victims of domestic violence may in certain circumstances bring claims for damages against their abuser. Mr. Grather brings such claims.
• Adoptions: Step-parents who wish to adopt the children of their spouse can. The non-custodial parent needs to terminate his or her parental rights. The parent either consents to the termination or it is issued through a court order. Mr. Grather assists clients through the process of attaining a termination of parental rights and gaining legal parentage of a child.
• Paternity: Issues of paternity are generally addressed as they relate to child support. Mr. Grather represents clients in the establishment and defense of paternity.
• Domestic Partnerships: New to New Jersey, domestic partnerships can benefit from the experienced legal counsel of our family law attorney.
• Parental Relocation: Frank Grather heads the family law practice at Broderick, Newmark & Grather, P.C. Practicing law since 1985, Mr. Grather brings many years of experience to bear on issues related to parental relocation and he is a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
• Civil Unions: Civil unions between gay and lesbian couples have been legal in New Jersey since February 2007. Before that time, domestic partnerships were available in New Jersey; people over 62 continue to enter into domestic partnerships. Although civil unions continue to be an evolving area of the law, there are many things people in same-sex relationships can and should do to protect themselves, their partners, and their children.

Contact us today to arrange a consultation.