Matrimonial & Family Law

• Elliot Wiener Featured in ABA Family Advocate Publication’s Winter Issue

  02/06/2024

  Elliot Wiener, Chair, Phillips Nizer's New York Matrimonial and Family Law practice, was featured in the Winter Issue of the American Bar Association’s publication, Family Advocate, with the article, "Sexual Addiction and Custody Disputes”. 

• Phillips Nizer LLP Ranked by Best Law Firms® in 2024

  11/06/2023

  Phillips Nizer LLP has been recognized in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®, nationally in 8 practice areas and regionally in 9 practice areas.

• Thirteen Attorneys From Phillips Nizer Selected to the 2023 New York Super Lawyers List

  09/24/2023

  Phillips Nizer LLP is pleased to announce that 13 lawyers have been selected to the 2023 New York Super Lawyers list. No more than five percent of the lawyers in New York are selected by Super Lawyers.

• Nine Phillips Nizer Attorneys Recognized in the 2024 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©, including “Lawyer of the Year”, Jan L. Bernstein

  08/17/2023

  Best Lawyers® recognized Alan Behr, Jan L. Bernstein, Regina E. Faul, Helene M. Freeman, Michael W. Galligan, Donald P. Perry, Evan J. Spelfogel, Martin B. Wasser and Elliot J. Wiener.  

• Jan L. Bernstein Named Best Lawyers® 2024 Family Law Arbitration "Lawyer of the Year" in Hackensack

  08/17/2023

  Phillips Nizer LLP New Jersey Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Chair, Jan L. Bernstein, was recently recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" for Family Law Arbitration.

• Eleven Phillips Nizer Attorneys Recognized in the 2023 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©

  02/21/2023

  Best Lawyers® recognized Alan Behr, Jan L. Bernstein, Regina E. Faul, Helene M. Freeman, Michael W. Galligan, Marc A. Landis, Donald P. Perry, Jeffrey Q. Smith, Evan J. Spelfogel, Martin B. Wasser and Elliot J. Wiener. 

• U.S. News - BestLawyers® Recognized Phillips Nizer LLP as One of the Nation's "Best Law Firms" for 2023 

  02/10/2023

  U.S. News - BestLawyers® recognized Phillips Nizer LLP as one of the nation's "Best Law Firms" for 2023. The annual rankings are presented in three tiers. A total of eleven areas of the firm's practice were recognized nationally, and in the New York City and New Jersey areas.  The rankings were announced on November, 2022.

• Elizabeth Adinolfi Participated as a Panelist at the Aspen Institute’s 2022 Artist-Endowed Foundation Leadership Forum’s Discussion on Guardianship and Conservatorships  

  06/01/2022

  Elizabeth Adinolfi participated as a panelist at the Aspen Institute’s 2022 Artist-Endowed Foundation Leadership Forum’s session, Closed Door Conversation: AEFs and Artists Diagnosed With Dementia: Ask the Experts Addressing Issues Relating to Guardianship and Conservatorships.  

• Phillips Nizer Family Law Alert: New York’s New Law on Pet Custody in Divorce Proceedings: Who Gets the Family Pet?  

  11/01/2021

  On October 25, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a new statute, requiring that the “best interest” of a divorcing couple’s pet or companion animal be considered when awarding custody to a spouse, and applying many of the same factors considered in determining child custody. 

• "#FreeBritney? Conservatorship Drama Sheds Light on Complicated System," WealthManagement.com, June 2021

  06/01/2021

• New Jersey Lawyer: Title IX and The Continuing Fight for Gender Equity in Athletics

  02/22/2021

  This article was originally published in the February 2021 issue of New Jersey Lawyer, a publication of the New Jersey Bar Association, and is reprinted with permission.
  
  The right of every girl to have an equal opportunity to participate in sports—one of the many guarantees of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972—remains unfulfilled even as we enter 2021.  The fight for this right has been taken up over the past decades by numerous brave individuals and social justice organizations. Yet the law’s promise of equality remains out of reach for far too many talented and deserving girls, especially girls of color, including in New Jersey.

• Jan L. Bernstein, NJ Family Law Chair, recognized as a Top Woman in Law by New Jersey Law Journal

  11/23/2020

• U.S. News-Best Lawyers® (2021)

  11/05/2020

  U.S. News - BestLawyers® recognized Phillips Nizer LLP as one of the nation's "Best Law Firms" for 2021. The annual rankings are presented in three tiers. A total of eleven areas of the firm's practice were recognized nationally and in the New York City metropolitan area.  The rankings were announced on November 5, 2020.

• NYSBA Family Law Review: Is a Restrained Lifestyle a Valid Basis for an Equitable Distribution Award? By: Elliot J. Wiener

  10/17/2020

• Navigating a Divorce in New Jersey During a Pandemic: Insights From Wealth Advisors and Family Law Attorneys

  06/15/2020

  With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting families and relationships across the country, now more than ever, working through the realities of divorce can be incredibly challenging.  In addition to the multitude of difficult decisions to be made, families are forced to determine how best to proceed when economic and social norms have been turned upside down. 
  
  Due to the challenges facing us in these unprecedented times, individuals considering or going through a divorce should keep in mind several factors.  In this article, various topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic will be explored from the different perspectives of New Jersey family law attorneys from Phillips Nizer and wealth advisors from Mariner Wealth Adivsors.

• NJ Family Law Coronavirus Series: Love and Domestic Violence in the Age of Coronavirus: Online Dating Relationships

  05/29/2020

  Now, more than ever, dating relationships are formed by electronic communications.  A new dating “app” appears every other day and there are seemingly infinite amounts of online dating websites.  In the current climate, with the national stay-at-home directives caused by the Coronavirus Crisis, people are even more reliant on technology and electronic communications to form dating relationships.   Unfortunately, while methods of communication may have changed, domestic violence has not.  This is the Fourth Article in our continuing series of Family Law Issues and the Coronavirus Crisis. 

• NJ Family Law Coronavirus Special Series - Quarantined With Your Divorcing Spouse? Five Helpful Tips From a Mental Health Professional

  05/05/2020

• NJ Family Law Coronavirus Series - Divorce and the Financial Crisis of COVID-19

  04/24/2020

• NJ Family Law COVID-19 Series - Parenting During a Coronavirus Crisis - Published by the New Jersey Law Journal on May 20, 2020

  04/04/2020

• Matrimonial and Family Law Group Joins Phillips Nizer’s Newly Expanded New Jersey Office

  11/01/2019

• I Did Not Do a Prenuptial Agreement. Now What?
  Mid-Marriage Agreements and Are They Enforceable.
  
  Jan L. Bernstein, Lindsey de Stefan

  03/26/2019

• "No Man Is Above the Law and No Man is Below It": How Qualified Immunity Reform Could Create Accountability and Curb Widespread Police Misconduct," 87 Seton Hall L. Rev. 543 (2017)

  03/26/2019

• U.S. News-Best Lawyers® (2019)

  11/01/2018 | U.S. News - BestLawyers® (2019)

  U.S. News - BestLawyers® recognized Phillips Nizer LLP as one of the nation's "Best Law Firms" for 2019. The annual rankings are presented in three tiers. A total of ten areas of the firm's practice were recognized nationally and in the New York City metropolitan area.  The rankings were announced on November 1, 2018.
   

• Super Lawyers® (2018)

  09/13/2018

  Seventeen Phillips Nizer attorneys were announced on September 13, 2018 as selected for inclusion on the 2018 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Attorneys represented a cross-section of several practice areas and industry teams.

• Case Information Statements in Alimony, Child Support and Equitable Distribution Cases - The Tips You Should Know

  By: Jan L. Bernstein, Esq

  08/23/2018

• U.S. News - BestLawyers® (2019)

  08/15/2018

  Best Lawyers® recognized Alan Behr, Helene M. Freeman, Michael W. Galligan, Donald P. Perry, Evan J. Spelfogel,  Martin B. Wasser and Elliot J. Wiener.

• Financially Ever After (Podcast) - "Journeying Through a Gray Divorce" (July 31, 2018)

  07/31/2018

  Richard provides insight into the legal aspects of how to deal with an unexpected broken marriage and specifically when adult children are involved.

• Should I Stay or Can I Go?  Current New Jersey Law on Relocating with Children after Divorce

  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  07/26/2018

• U.S. News - BestLawyers® (2018)

  11/01/2017

  U.S. News-Best Lawyers® announced on November 1, 2017, Phillips Nizer's recognition as one of the nation's "Best Law Firms" for 2018. The listing is presented in ranking tiers from 1 - 3. We ranked highly, Tier 1, nationally in Copyright Law, Trademark Law and Trusts & Estates Law. We were also ranked in the New York City Metropolitan listings.

• Super Lawyers® (2017)

  09/20/2017

  It was announced on September 20, 2017, that sixteen Phillips Nizer attorneys were selected for inclusion on the 2017 Super Lawyers list. Alternative Dispute Resolution, Banking, Business Litigation, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Trusts & Estates practices were represented.  

• Conflict Ridden Homes, Harm to Children, and Reform of DRL 234 (Family News & Views, a publication of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) - New York Chapter)

  08/01/2017

• Yesterday’s Divorce Won’t Do Today - Complex mix personal and professional require creative solutions, As Seen in Metropolitan Corporate Counsel (Jan 2017)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  01/11/2017

• Super Lawyers® (2016)

  10/21/2016

  On September 21, 2016 it was announced by Super Lawyers® that twenty-three Phillips Nizer attorney were selected for inclusion on the 2016 Super Lawyers and 'Rising Stars' lists.  This is the second consecutive year the firm has had twenty-three lawyers recognized.

• Till Death Do Us Part: Pitfalls of Life Insurance Provisions in Family Law Matters, As Seen in The New Jersey Law Journal – Family Law Supplement (January 25, 2016)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq. and Thomas Novak, Esq.
  
   

  01/25/2016

• U.S. News-BestLawyers® (2016)

  08/17/2015

  In an announcement on November 2nd by U.S. News-Best Lawyers®, Phillips Nizer was recognized as one of the 2016 "Best Law Firms" in the nation ranking highly nationally in Trusts & Estates Law, Copyright Law and Trademark Law. The firm was also ranked in the New York City Metropolitan area in Trusts & Estates Law, Copyright Law, Family Law, Intellectual Property Litigation and Trademark Law. 

• U.S. News-Best Lawyers® (2015)

  11/03/2014

  2015 was another successful year for Phillips Nizer having been named as one of the “Best Law Firms” in the nation. As in previous years, the firm achieved high rankings in Trusts & Estates Law, Copyright and Trademark Law and Family Law, receiving a “Tier 1” ranking in Trusts and Estates Law and “Tier 2” and “Tier 3” rankings in Copyright and Trademark Law and Family Law, respectively.

• Super Lawyers® (2015)

  10/01/2014

  Phillips Nizer was honored to announce that twenty-three of its attorneys were recognized as 2015 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars. Attorneys who were recognized represented over a dozen practice areas. The annual Super Lawyers® lists are a result of confidential peer review and independent research.

• ​Super Lawyers® (2014)

  10/01/2014

  In an announcement on September 23, 2014, twenty-six Phillips Nizer attorneys were recognized on the Metro New York 2014 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists. Twenty-two partners, senior counsel and counsel were selected as Super Lawyers.  Four counsel and associates were selected as Rising Stars.  The 2014 selections crossed all major practice groups.  The annual Super Lawyers® lists are a result of confidential peer review and independent research.

• ​U.S News-Best Lawyers® (2014)

  10/01/2014

  The Firm was recognized as one of the nation's "Best Law Firms" for 2014 achieving First Tier National rankings in Trusts & Estates Law and Trademark Law, and a National Second Tier ranking in Copyright Law.  In addition, the Firm received Metropolitan — New York City rankings in the First, Second and Third tiers.

• Super Lawyers® (2013)

  10/01/2013

  Nineteen Phillips Nizer attorneys were selected by Super Lawyers® and recognized in the 2013 New York Super Lawyers - Metro Edition publication.  As was the case in 2012, attorneys selected represented several practice areas. The Firm achieved a significant increase in the number of honorees, including one recognized as a "Rising Star".  Each year, attorneys are nominated across various legal practices and vetted through a process of confidential peer review. Independent research by the publisher is an important component before one can be selected as a "Super Lawyer".

• ​U.S. News-Best Lawyers® (2013)

  10/01/2013

  For the second consecutive year, Phillips Nizer was honored as one of the nation's "Best Law Firms".  The Firm received high ranks the areas of Trusts & Estates Law, Trademark Law, Copyright Law and Family Law.

• The Impact of Internet Pornography Use and Cybersexual Behavior on Child Custody and Visitation" (Journal of Child Custody, Vol. 10, Issue 1, 2013

  07/24/2013

• Super Lawyers® (2012)

  09/21/2012

  Phillips Nizer was honored with the selection of twelve of its attorneys for the 2012 New York Super Lawyers – Metro edition. The attorneys were recognized across seven practice areas — Alternative Dispute Resolution, Entertainment Law, Environmental Law, Estate Planning & Probate Law, Family Law, General Litigation, and Real Estate Law.

• "State of the Civil Union," Town Topics, Princeton, New Jersey, February 12, 2012

  02/12/2012

• U.S News-Best Lawyers® (2012)

  11/01/2011

  Phillips Nizer was recognized as a "Tier 2" law firm in the City of New York in Family Law and Trusts & Estates Law.  Law firms ranked on this list are presented in tiers and showcase firms nationwide in major legal practice areas.

• ​Super Lawyers® (2011)

  09/26/2011

  Thirteen Phillips Nizer attorneys represented across seven distinct areas were recognized as 2011 "Super Lawyers". Super Lawyers®, a publication of Thomson Reuters, reviews nominations of attorneys across various legal practice areas.  Those ultimately selected as "Super Lawyers" were vetted through a process involving peer review and independent research by the publisher.

• Interdisciplinary Forum on Mental Health and Family Law (numerous)

  07/24/2010

• Adjustment to Child Support Guidelines Calculations When Parents Have Equal Parenting Time, As Seen in the Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (July 2010),  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  07/11/2010

• Arbitration and Child Custody and Parenting Time Issues
  As Seen in the Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (March 2010)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  03/11/2010

• Family Values: Top Five Reasons the Recession Could Impact Your Divorce, As Seen in The Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (June 2009)
  Jan L. Bernstein

  06/11/2009

• Recession Relief: When and How Can a Former Spouse Modify a Support Award in Today’s Economy, As Seen in The Town Topics, Princeton, New Jersey (April 2009)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  04/11/2009

• A Separate Peace: Can You File for a Legal Separation in New Jersey?
  As Seen in the Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (March 2009)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq
   

  03/11/2009

• Yes We Can - Get a Divorce: The Most Often Used Causes of Action for Divorce, As Seen in The Town Topics, Princeton, New Jersey (Feb 2009)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.
   

  02/11/2009

• "Mediation or Arbitration - Can Your Family Law Issues Be Resolved Without Seeking Help From a Judge?" Town Topics, Princeton, New Jersey, January 21, 2009

  01/21/2009

• Deal or No Deal - How Courts Help to Settle Your Divorce Case, As Seen in the Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (Nov 2008)
  Jan L. Bernstein

  11/11/2008

• All Grown Up? Top Ten Questions on Why – and When – Child Support Ends
  As Seen in the Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (October 2008)

  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  10/11/2008

• Caution: Spouses at Work - An Overview of  Vocational Experts in Divorce Proceedings
  As Seen in Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (Sept 2008)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  09/11/2008

• Look Before You Let Your Child Leap - What You Need To Consider Prior To Allowing Your Child/ren To Relocate Overseas, As Seen in The Town Topics, Princeton, New Jersey (April 2008), Jan L. Bernstein
   

  04/11/2008

• The Psychology of Marital Dissolution: Getting Yourself into the Right Mindset to Divorce & Setting Realistic Expectations, As Seen in The Union-Morris Women’s Journal (Jan 2008)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.
   

  01/09/2008

• What Is a Lifestyle Analysis and How Does It Affect Alimony? As Seen in The Union-Morris Women’s Journal (Aug/Sept 2007)

  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  09/11/2007

• Who is the Right Lawyer for Me? Important Tips in Choosing a Divorce Attorney, As Seen in The Union-Morris Women’s Journal (Aug/Sept 2007)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  09/11/2007

• "New Jersey Civil Unions: What You and Your Partner Need to Know," Town Topics, Princeton, NJ, August 8, 2007

  08/08/2007

• "Collecting Support from Payor Who Has Filed Under Chapter 11" (The Matrimonial Strategist ALM Law Journal Newsletter, November 2007)

  07/24/2007

• Court-Ordered Psychotherapy In Custody Disputes: Do parties benefit when they are forced to participate?: (New York Law Journal, Matrimonial Law Special Section, July 30, 2007

  07/24/2007

• "Irreconcilable Differences: What it Means for My Divorce," Town Topics, Princeton, New Jersey, May 17, 2007

  05/17/2007

• The Stages of a Divorce Process, As Seen in The Morris County Women’s Journal (Feb/March 2007)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  03/11/2007

• New York State Judicial Institute Presentation on "Parental Alienation" (2007)

  01/03/2007

• How Can My Spouse and I Resolve Our Parenting Disputes Without Going to Court? As Seen in The Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (Nov 2006)
  Jan L. Bernstein

  11/11/2006

• I am Faced with a Divorce. How Do I Support Myself Now?
  As Seen in the Town Topics, Princeton, NJ (Aug 2006)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  08/11/2006

• "Reforming the Language of 'Custody' Law: Lets remove that term as well as 'visitation'" (New York Law Journal, Matrimonial Special Section, August 7, 2006)

  07/24/2006

• Are You Divorced? Have Circumstances Changed Since Then? If So, Now May Be a Good Time to Amend the Terms of Your Settlement Agreement or Judgment of Divorce - As Seen in the Morris County Women’s Journal (Feb 2006)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  02/11/2006

• Divorce and Money - What to Do If You Did Not Handle The Family Finances, As Seen in the Sussex County Woman (Oct/Nov 2005)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  11/11/2005

• Children in Divorce and the Partnership Between Family Lawyers and Marriage and Family Therapists, As Seen in The Family Focus: The Newsletter of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (Aug 2005)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  08/11/2005

• "Our Dual System To Modify Child Support: (New York Law Journal, Matrimonial Special Section, June 6, 2005)

  07/24/2005

• "The Use of Mental Health Professionals as Expert Witnesses in Family Law Litigation," Town Topics, Princeton, New Jersey, March 17, 2005

  03/17/2005

• Know Before You Go: Your Money and Your Divorce, As Seen in The Garden State Woman Financial Resources Guide (Feb 2005)
  Jan L. Bernstein

  02/11/2005

• An Overview of Equitable Distribution in New Jersey, As Seen in the Morris County Women’s Journal (Aug/Sept 2004)

  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq

  09/11/2004

• Custody Mediation In Court, As Seen in the Morris County Women’s Journal (June/July 2004)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  07/11/2004

• Prepare Yourself:  Pre-Marital and Pre-Cohabitation Agreements, As Seen in The Morris County Women’s Journal (April 2004)
  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  04/11/2004

• Relocation Out Of State With A Child During Or After Divorce, As Seen in the Hunterdon County Women’s Journal (Dec 2003)
  Jan L. Bernstein

  12/11/2003

• Am I Entitled To Child Support, And If So, How Much? As Seen in the Atlantic County Women’s Journal (Nov 2003)

  Jan L. Bernstein, Esq.

  11/11/2003

• "Visitation: A Right of Grandparents?" Morris County Women's Journal, December 1, 2002

  12/01/2002

• “He’s Not Abusive, But . . . “ Domestic Violence and You, As Seen in The Morris County Women’s Journal (Oct 2002)
  Jan L. Bernstein

  10/11/2002

• "Alimony and You: Perfect Together?" Somerset County Women's Journal, September 1, 2002

  09/01/2002

• Kids and Divorce: Who Pays for School?  As Seen in The Somerset Women’s Journal (June 2002)
  Jan L. Bernstein

  06/11/2002

• "Unconscionable Separation Agreements in New York" (New York State Bar Association Family Law Reivew, June 1999)

  07/24/1999

• "Moving On After Moving In: The Case for Including Unmarried Partners in New Jersey Family Law,: New Jersey Lawyer, November 1, 1993

  11/01/1993