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There are more than 17,000 attorneys who are members of the New Jersey Bar Association. An overwhelming number of attorneys practice matrimonial law in N.J. and choosing the family law attorney that’s right for you may seem like a daunting task.
The average divorce takes lots of time, energy and patience to finalize. Now is not the time to hire an inexperienced lawyer. Instead, to ensure the very best representation, your first objective should be to select a law firm that has a certified matrimonial attorney on staff. The attorneys that have this designation are generally considered top-tier family law attorneys because they have taken the additional step of receiving official certification. This designation, granted by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, is given only to those attorneys who have proven themselves to be especially knowledgeable and experienced in the field. There are only five areas of law that are currently eligible for certification in the State of New Jersey: matrimonial law, civil trial law, criminal trial law, workers compensation law, and municipal court law.
Certification Process
Fortunately, the New Jersey Supreme Court provides certification for matrimonial attorneys who meet requirements for experience, skills, and knowledge in matrimonial law. To obtain this rigorous certification, an attorney must demonstrate that he or she has practiced matrimonial law for at least five years, has a wide berth of experience in matrimonial law, and has completed continuing legal education courses. Attorneys must also obtain favorable evaluations from judges and fellow attorneys and pass a lengthy written exam about matrimonial law. Only those attorneys who have been deemed certified are permitted to advertise themselves as certified matrimonial attorneys on their letterhead and business cards.
Why Does Certification Matter?
Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s publication regarding certified attorneys, as of March 2014, only about 1,600 attorneys were certified in their field out of the approximately 75,000 active attorneys in the state. That means that only 2% of all New Jersey attorneys are certified in matrimonial law. These select few attorneys have proven that not only do they have the experience, but they also have proven their knowledge and shown that they are highly respected by their peers and the judges they practice before. A certified matrimonial attorney is someone who offers unparalleled expertise and wisdom to clients in this highly specialized area of law.
That statistic clearly illustrates just how special a designation that is; it is not easily obtained.
What Is Included in Matrimonial Law Certification?
Attorneys certified in matrimonial law have demonstrated experience, knowledge, and skill when it comes to their abilities in:
- Divorce
- Custody
- Child support
- Alimony
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements
- Adoption
- Division of assets and debts
- Domestic partnerships
- Domestic violence
- Post-judgment relief
Selecting a firm that has a certified matrimonial attorney will ensure that you have access to some of the best legal minds in the state. Their expertise is an invaluable resource to a family law firm. If you are in need of a matrimonial attorney and would like to discuss your case with a member of our team, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
