Experienced Family Law Representation When You Need It Most

A Skilled Somerset County Family Law Attorney On Your Side

Family law is an extremely personal field of law. There are few legal matters that hit closer to home. Somerset County family law attorney Katherine K. Wagner has dedicated years of her career to serving clients dealing with divorce and other related matrimonial issues. Whether you are getting divorced or are navigating separation, child custody, child support, alimony, modifications or other family law concerns, you can rely on her for knowledgeable and passionate advice and representation. Contact Katherine K. Wagner, Attorney at Law, today to tell her your story.

How Can Family Law Lawyer Katherine K. Wagner Help You?

Ms. Wagner is prepared to field any family law case or issue that comes her way. Review her FAQs for answers to many of the questions that she receives from clients on a daily basis. She is ready and able to provide advice and representation with regard to any family law issue, including the following:

Divorce: Ms. Wagner offers advice and representation to parties across all aspects of divorce.
Divorce with a business: If you are a business owner and you are getting divorced, you have a lot on the line, and Ms. Wagner’s goal is to protect your business from the pitfalls of a divorce.
Child custody: Whether you are negotiating child custody as part of a separation or divorce, trying to win back or otherwise modify custody rights, or protecting your children against an unsafe environment, Ms. Wagner is here to help.
Parenting time: Ms. Wagner will negotiate your parenting time arrangement and ensure that all parties adhere to any parenting time agreement.
Child support: Ms. Wagner has years of experience negotiating child support under New Jersey law and enforcing existing child support obligations.
Alimony: Ms. Wagner has represented clients on all sides of the alimony equation, seeking to maximize, reduce, and enforce alimony agreements on behalf of New Jersey clients.
Property distribution: Ms. Wagner will help you reach an amicable agreement where possible and will fight for your rights where necessary to ensure that your marital property is divided fairly and justly.
Post-judgment modifications: Whether you are seeking to enforce a child support or alimony order, exercise your parental rights, or modify an existing arrangement, Ms. Wagner will walk you through the legal processes.
Prenuptial agreements: Ms. Wagner offers advice and representation in drafting, executing and enforcing prenuptial agreements in New Jersey marriages.
Separation agreements: Ms. Wagner has years of experience helping separated couples protect their finances and their families before deciding whether to pursue a full, legal divorce.
Child relocation: If your circumstances as a parent change, Ms. Wagner will help you go through the legal steps necessary to ensure that your parental rights are protected and your relationship with your children preserved.

Ms. Wagner prides herself on providing individualized, dedicated legal services, combining skills developed over decades of family law experience with deep care and compassion for her clients and their families. She will fight for your rights and your family while providing the emotional support necessary to get you through this difficult process and get your life back where it needs to be.

A New Jersey Family Law Attorney With Decades Of Experience

Ms. Wagner has represented New Jersey clients across all types of family law matters for decades. Ms. Wagner knows how to work toward an amicable resolution to family law matters to reduce the cost, time and emotional heartache associated with divorce and other family law disputes. But with more than two decades litigating family law cases for clients of all types, Ms. Wagner is also more than prepared to fight for her clients all the way through trial and beyond.

Comprehensive Service From A Determined Somerville Family Law Lawyer

Ms. Wagner will handle all aspects of your divorce, separation or other family law legal proceedings, including:

Filing complaints, motions and other court documents
Arguing motions in court on your behalf
Identifying, locating and collecting relevant evidence, such as hidden or foreign assets
Tracking down and bringing in important witnesses
Identifying and retaining accountants, child psychologists, lifestyle experts and other expert witnesses helpful in proving your case
Advising you on settlement offers and other important case milestones
Advising you on related legal matters such as tax consequences and retirement accounts
Fighting your case all the way through trial, where necessary

Katherine K. Wagner is a name you can trust with your divorce or other family law matter. She provides full service from day one until your matter has reached a satisfactory conclusion. She will be with you every step of the way.

The Importance Of Having A Knowledgeable Family Law Attorney

There are many aspects of family law in New Jersey that have their own unique issues that must be handled with careful consideration. Obtaining proper legal representation from an experienced attorney in family law can help to minimize mistakes or oversight of potential issues that a general practice attorney may miss or with which they may simply not be familiar. If you are facing a life-changing event such as a divorce, you need representation from someone who has dedicated themselves to that specific area of law. Many people may seek the advice of an attorney who has handled their traffic court violation or handled their estate planning. However, these attorneys may not be experienced in all the various aspects of a divorce. It is an intricate and detailed area of the law and must not be handled by a novice attorney who thinks, “How hard can a divorce be?” Seek the representation of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney like Ms. Wagner.

For decades, Ms. Wagner has provided honest and compassionate advice to her clients, be they women/mothers, men/fathers, live-in or same-sex couples, as she guides them through the entire process. She understands what is involved and always educates herself on the ever-evolving laws regarding divorce, custody and marital issues in New Jersey.

Ms. Wagner prides herself on the exemplary service she provides every client, no matter how unique his or her situation may be. If you are facing family law issues of any kind, she can help you navigate the law and understand your rights.

What Is The Definition Of Marital Property?

Assets obtained by either spouse during the course of a marriage are considered marital property. It does not matter which individual earned the income or has legal title to the particular asset. Marital property is divided between the parties during a divorce, either through a settlement or a judge’s decision. If a property division matter does go to court, New Jersey’s equitable distribution law means that assets and debts are allocated based on what the judge thinks is fair. It will not necessarily be a 50-50 split. Assets owned individually by one spouse prior to the marriage are separate property and return to that individual upon divorce. You can also negotiate a premarital agreement that classifies specific items as separate property.

At What Age Will A Judge Consider A Child’s Preferences In A Custody Matter?

Under the relevant statute, a child must be of “sufficient age and maturity” to have their preference considered during a judge’s custody determination. No specific age is given and even if the youth has the requisite maturity, the judge might not honor their wishes.

What Is The Definition Of An Unfit Parent In New Jersey?

After a breakup, parents frequently disagree about the best way to raise their child. Sometimes these conflicts can escalate into an allegation that a co-parent is unfit. However, New Jersey law states that a parent is only legally unfit if their conduct has a substantial adverse effect on the child. If you’re thinking about making this type of allegation, you should realize that you will need to point to specific incidences of improper parenting and provide evidence as to how it harmed your son or daughter.

What Are Your Rights As A Father In A Custody Dispute?

New Jersey law does not draw any distinction between mothers and fathers in custody matters, though men and their attorneys should guard against conscious and unconscious bias about parenting roles. The law promotes custody and visitation arrangements that enable both fathers and mothers to maintain frequent, meaningful contact with their children. If you’re a father seeking primary residential custody, you should speak with your lawyer about how to demonstrate that your home is the best place for your son or daughter to spend most of their time.

What Is Considered Parental Neglect In New Jersey?

Regardless of their relationship status, mothers and fathers have certain legal obligations, which include a noncustodial parent’s duty to pay child support. This is a fairly straightforward requirement, but when one parent accuses the other of neglect, the situation can become much more complex. State law says neglect exists when someone with custody or control of a child willfully fails to provide food, clothing or maintenance for a child. Failing to send a child to school, get them medical attention or take other measures necessary for their well-being also constitutes neglect.

Contact An Experienced Somerville Family Lawyer Today

If you are considering divorce, facing child support or alimony issues, dealing with child custody arrangements, or need advice or representation regarding any other family law matters in New Jersey, reach out to a seasoned, effective and compassionate Somerville family lawyer. Ms. Wagner helps clients with family law issues in the counties of Somerset, Middlesex and Hunterdon, and the surrounding areas. She stands ready to guide and support you. Send her an email or call 908-526-0099 today to discuss your needs.