Practice Areas Overview

West Hartford, Connecticut, Family Lawyers

For more information about a practice area, click on the heading.

Divorce & Legal Separation

At Swerdloff & Swerdloff, we believe that the dissolution of a marriage—which is the legal name for divorce in Connecticut—is a restructuring of a family, not the destruction of a family. If you have children, you will still be a family after your divorce. You will have a lifetime of events ahead of you that will be family-oriented such as; weddings, the births of grandchildren, and events of religious significance.

Mediation

Mediation is a much less expensive alternative to a litigated divorce. Both parties are paying for the services of one mediator to guide them through the divorce process, rather than each side paying for a lawyer to advocate for their position. The process is also less draining emotionally. The mediator is not there to make or evaluate fights, but to relieve tension, explain the law, and help you reach a resolution you can both accept so that you can live more happily after the divorce.

Child Custody

Whether we represent the father or the mother in a child custody dispute, our approach as family law attorneys is to help you restructure your family, not destroy it. We want to make certain that the divorce process is as minimally destructive to your children as possible and that they continue to be nurtured and to grow into emotionally health adults. We will always be concerned for the best interests of your children.  We agree with the wisdom espoused by OurFamilyWizard.com: "The innocence of children, their dreams and well being should not be lost with the break up of a family".

Child Support

In Connecticut, every child of divorced or separated parents has a right to be supported by both parents. This is not a right that belongs to either parent; it is a right that belongs to each child. The parent with whom the child lives for the majority of time is usually the one who receives child support.

Property Division & Alimony

Property division in divorce can be straightforward. In a long-term marriage, the two parties put everything into one pot and then determine how it will be divided. However, many couples enter into marriage thinking that what is mine is mine and what is yours is yours. In these situations, property division—particularly the requirement for full financial disclosure—can lead to surprises.  We try to minimize the negative impact of such surprises.

Contempt & Modifications

In every case in which we become involved, our goal is that your final divorce order is sufficiently clear and comprehensive that it covers all child custody, child support, and other financial issues in such a way as to prevent future disagreements. However, life does come at you fast and there are times when you need help changing or enforcing a divorce order.  That assistance can require filing contempts or motions for modification.

Survivors of Sexual Abuse

There are not two sides to a case of child sexual abuse. A sexual experience between a child and an adult is abuse. End of story. Connecticut law protects survivors of sexual abuse by providing for payment of money damages from the abusers. The statute of limitations does not expire until the victim is well into his or her adult years.  By making a civil law claim for money damages, we are able to hold the abuser accountable and provide some measure of compensation to the victim, to the extent permitted by law.

Legal Malpractice

Not every bad result in a legal case is the result of malpractice. If a lawyer loses a case, you have a right to be disappointed in your choice of legal counsel. You would not have a valid claim for legal malpractice unless the lawyer's representation fell below the standard required for lawyers and this was the cause of the bad result. There are numerous errors and instances of misconduct that rise to the level of malpractice and allow claims for money damages against your former lawyer. These include failing to file the necessary documents within the required time limits, failing to properly prepare a case, and failing to fully know the relevant law regarding the case.

If you have a question or concern about a family, personal injury, legal malpractice, survivor of sexual abuse, or criminal law matter, we invite you to contact attorneys Mark and Ileen Swerdloff today.