- DivorceExperienced Attorneys Advising on Contested vs Uncontested Divorce issues in Woodland Park, Clifton, Paterson, Wayne, and across Northern New Jersey
- Child SupportUnder New Jersey law, both parents are required to share in the financial responsibilities associated with raising their child. Regardless of the parents’ relationship status, they are both responsible for the expenses necessary to feed, house, and provide for the other needs of the child that they share. In order to ensure that every child receives the financial support they deserve from both parents, New Jersey provides Child Support Guidelines, a set of complex formulas used to determine the appropriate amount of child support in each case. Although the Child Support Guidelines are relatively concrete, parents often disagree significantly about how much they should pay or receive every month. Additionally, these guidelines must be applied appropriately, with consideration given to all relevant factors, in order to arrive at an accurate child support determination. Due to the intricacies of child support calculations and the life-altering implications that result from these determinations, it is essential to consult with a knowledgeable attorney who can ensure that you are not paying too much or receiving too little child support.
- Child Custody and VisitationChild custody and parenting time, or visitation, can represent some of the most difficult and emotionally-charged issues to be resolved during a divorce. New Jersey law acknowledges that in most cases, it is in the best interests of the child to maintain frequent and continuing contact with both parents, while both parents share the rights and responsibilities of child-rearing. Although both parents likely want to develop an arrangement that is in the child’s best interests, they often differ drastically about what this actually means. Coming to an agreement with regard to child custody can be taxing emotionally for you and your children, while the outcome will spell long-term implications for their future. Understanding your parental rights and responsibilities and developing a child custody configuration that best serves the needs of you and your family can be challenging; however, a knowledgeable divorce attorney can serve as your greatest asset during this trying time.
- AdoptionIf you adopt your child from foster care, open adoption may not be possible, either because the agency has a policy of not releasing identifying information for any reason or because doing so in your situation isn’t in the best interests of the child. Most international adoptions are confidential as well.
- Premarital AgreementWhen you choose a person to marry, you are deciding on a person with whom to share the greatest moments, to weather the worst of times, perhaps to have children–in essence, you choose a life partner. The significance of this decision cannot be underestimated or under-emphasized. For the vast majority of people, they enter into marriage thinking that divorce is a virtual impossibility, that it happens to some couples but will never happen to them. Unfortunately, life can surprise us. Circumstances evolve, and people change. Spouses grow apart, priorities differ, and eventually, divorce may become the only viable option. When divorce does occur, the process can be long and challenging, particularly when the couple disagrees over how to handle specific issues. A prenuptial agreement can serve as an invaluable tool for avoiding lengthy and expensive divorce proceedings if this becomes an unwelcome reality. By discussing critical issues before entering into the marriage, you and your potential spouse can come to some agreements about your future life together, and arrive at some conclusions about how to address finances, children, and other important decisions should you choose to dissolve the marriage at any point.
- Spousal Support
- Legal SeparationBelieve it or not, there is no such thing as a “legal separation” in New Jersey. In fact, New Jersey does not recognize separation as a legal status, as it does with divorce. However, you do not need to enter into a period of separation without legal protection. With a separation agreement, you and your spouse can create arrangements surrounding children, assets, finances, and other issues, that can be upheld in a court of law. Separation agreements can also provide a framework from which to develop a marital settlement agreement if you do eventually choose to divorce. In essence, a separation agreement is a contract, which contains specific provisions aimed at resolving issues. In order to be deemed valid, a separation agreement must be drawn up in writing, signed by both parties, and notarized. It is not necessary to appear in court to implement a separation agreement, but due to the legal complexities of the issues and the long-term implications, it is highly advisable to consult with an independent attorney who can assist you with the process.
- AnnulmentAlthough both the divorce process and an annulment can end a marriage, when you get an annulment, it means that your marriage never existed.
- Criminal DefenseCriminal Defense attorneys with offices in Little Falls serving clients in Woodland Park, Wayne, and across Passaic County and Northern NJ
- DUI/DWI
- Traffic ViolationsThe Montanari Law Group, helps people fight their traffic tickets in municipal courts throughout New Jersey and New York. From offices in Little Falls, our lawyers advise and represent people charged with criminal offenses in communities throughout New Jersey and New York. Call us toll-free at 888-877-7985 or contact us by email to arrange an initial consultation with one of our experienced Passaic County traffic violations attorneys right away.
- Sex CrimesOne of the hardest things about being charged with a sex crime is that the police, prosecutors and general public want to believe you are guilty, even though you are innocent of the charges.
- Fraud
- RobberyThe United States criminal justice system is founded upon the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. This fundamental principle tasks the State with the burden of overcoming this presumption by proving a person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. At The Montanari Law Group, we are passionate about upholding this principle and vigorously defending the rights of our clients. Whether you have been charged with an indictable offense such as aggravated assault, robbery, or unlawful possession of a weapon; accused of a disorderly persons offense such as possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia; or cited for a traffic violation such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle, you deserve the most comprehensive, compelling defense representation. The penalties associated with these crimes may vary, but the life-changing implications of a conviction are consistent. Your reputation, your family, your career, your finances–all of these may suffer as a result of a guilty verdict, underscoring the need for a skilled legal advocate on your side.
- BurglaryDomestic abuse is relevant grounds for divorce if your spouse has committed one of the 14 predicate acts of domestic violence, which include: Homicide, Simple Assault, Aggravated Assault, Terroristic threats, Kidnapping, Criminal restraint, False imprisonment, Sexual assault, Criminal sexual contact, Lewdness, Criminal mischief, Burglary, Criminal trespass, Harassment, and Stalking.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsIf you have been charged with a lower-level criminal offense or a motor vehicle violation, your case will be adjudicated at the local municipal court. The municipal court is tasked with hearing cases involving disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offense, which are similar to misdemeanors and are not considered “felonies” under the law. However, these crimes still entail serious penalties, including a jail sentence of up to 6 months, significant fines, loss of driving privileges, and a charge on your criminal record. Some of the most common municipal court cases involve charges for...
- Embezzlement
- Drug CrimesThe war on drugs is alive and well in New Jersey. Whether you are charged with a relatively minor offense such as possession of marijuana under 50 grams, or a more serious crime such as the distribution of heroin, New Jersey dedicates enormous resources to the prosecution of drug crimes. From first-time drug offenders to those with multiple felony convictions, prosecutors and law enforcement officials aggressively pursue those accused of drug offenses. At The Montanari Law Group, we know all too well the consequences of a conviction, for high school and college students who end up with criminal records, to adults who end up in prison. That is why we aggressively represent our clients, employing every strategy at our disposal to have your charges reduced or dismissed entirely.
- AssaultAssault charges are extremely common in New Jersey. One of the most serious assault charges is an assault by auto. NJ lawmakers impose special penalties for assaults involving motor vehicles because the injuries are often severe in auto accidents. Anytime a person operates a motor vehicle in the State of New Jersey, they are expected to drive safely and with full awareness of the risks posed to other motorists. NJ prosecutors often seek maximum penalties in an assault by auto cases in order to discourage dangerous drivers and minimize the risk of serious accidents.
- Murder
- Juvenile CrimesFrom offices in Little Falls, our lawyers advise and represent families whose minor-aged children face criminal procedures in juvenile courts throughout New Jersey and New York. Call us toll-free at 888-877-7985 or contact us by email to arrange an initial consultation with one of our experienced Passaic County juvenile crime defense lawyers right away.
- Identity Theft
- HomicideThe Montanari Law Group, will work aggressively to help you get the best possible outcome for your criminal charges. We hold the state to its burden of proof that you must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Whether you are facing felony homicide or aggravated assault charges or a misdemeanor lesser degree of assault, our attorneys have the experience you can rely on.
- Shoplifting
- Restraining OrderWhen an alleged act of domestic violence occurs, there are two separate legal proceedings that may result, one of which is associated with the issuance of a temporary restraining order, while the other arises out of a criminal charge filed against the defendant. The restraining order and the criminal charge typically involve the same incident; however, these cases are adjudicated in two separate venues and the repercussions of each are entirely different. A temporary restraining order is intended to protect a victim of domestic violence from further abuse, while the purpose of a criminal charge is to punish the offender for a crime that already occurred. If you are involved in a domestic violence proceeding as the accused, the outcome can be life-altering, whether it exposes you to criminal penalties, a restraining order, or both. On the other hand, if you are the victim, a restraining order can provide legal protection against further instances of harassment, assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or another form of domestic violence.
- Forgery
- KidnappingThe following acts are considered domestic violence:Â homicide, assault, terroristic threats, kidnapping, criminal restraint, false imprisonment, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, lewdness, criminal mischief, burglary, criminal trespass, harassment, or stalking. When any of these events allegedly occurs, the victim can file criminal charges, a restraining order, or both. If a victim chooses not to file a restraining order, a law enforcement officer can file one on his or her behalf.
- Manslaughter
- Prostitution
- Corporate Law
- Intellectual Property
- Employment Contract
- Non-compete Agreement
- Real Estate TransactionsMs. Watkins is entirely devoted to Real Estate Transactions. She is committed to the success of her clients, as well as the agents and lenders involved in each transaction. She will spend time with her clients so they have the proper expectations of the contract and closing process. Rosemary will meet with buyers and sellers; review and negotiate purchase and sale contracts; review and negotiate home inspection findings and requests; order and review chain of title and survey. In addition, Ms. Watkins prepares closing documents and attends closing.
- Citizenship and Naturalization
- Personal InjuryA t The Montanari Law Group, we have a strong, smart approach to legal problems, and a personal, dedicated approach to our clients. We believe everyone has the right to effective representation for a variety of legal issues relating to family law, criminal defense, personal injury, and employment law.
- Auto Accidents
- Medicaid Planning
- Estate Planning
- Wills
- Trusts
- Power of AttorneyAs you can see, cohabitation agreements can be an extremely important tool to help unmarried couples solidify their legal and financial relationship to one another, while still remaining unmarried. If you would like to learn more about how a cohabitation agreement can be of benefit to you and your partner, and how to go about creating a comprehensive, fair, and legally binding non-marital agreement, call our office  today to schedule your free and confidential consultation with our experienced Little Falls Cohabitation Agreement attorneys.
- Tax LawMs. Watkins’ area of practice also extends to Real Estate Tax Appeals. She is easily accessible to discuss her clients’ concerns throughout the entire process of representation. Rosemary understands the importance of customer satisfaction.