Business Details
Trusted Family Law & Divorce Services in Hackensack, NJ
The Erlina Perez Law Firm is dedicated to providing compassionate and strategic legal representation for individuals navigating family law matters in Hackensack and throughout Bergen County, New Jersey. With over 15 years of experience in family law, our founder and lead attorney, Erlina Perez, brings deep expertise in divorce, child custody, mediation, and immigration cases. Our practice is built on a commitment to treating clients with sensitivity and respect, recognizing the emotional challenges inherent in family law disputes.We prioritize amicable resolutions where possible, leveraging our familiarity with local courts and legal frameworks to streamline processes and reduce client stress. Our team combines legal rigor with personalized attention, ensuring clients understand their rights and options while working toward solutions aligned with their long-term interests and family well-being.
Services
Divorce Representation
Child Custody
Mediation Services
Immigration Law
Domestic Violence
Prenuptial Agreements
Child Support
Alimony Advocacy
Post-Judgment Enforcement
Equitable Distribution
Highlights and features
- We offer over 15 years of specialized family law experience in New Jersey courts
- Our lead attorney holds the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Eric D. Turner Award
- We provide bilingual (English/Spanish) legal services for diverse client needs
- Our practice emphasizes mediation to reduce conflict and legal costs
- We maintain a strong track record in complex child custody and immigration cases
Services
Divorce Representation
Our firm provides comprehensive divorce legal services covering asset division, spousal support, and contested/uncontested proceedings. We prioritize protecting client interests while minimizing emotional strain through strategic negotiation or litigation when necessary. Our Hackensack-based team leverages deep knowledge of New Jersey's equitable distribution laws and local court procedures to achieve fair outcomes.
Child Custody
We advocate for custody arrangements that prioritize children's well-being while protecting parental rights. Our services include developing parenting plans, representing clients in custody evaluations, and addressing complex issues like relocation or international custody disputes. We emphasize cooperative parenting frameworks while vigorously defending against unfounded allegations.
Mediation Services
Our certified mediators facilitate constructive negotiations for divorce and family law matters. We help couples reach mutually beneficial agreements on property division, child support, and custody issues through structured mediation sessions, reducing legal costs and preserving relationships for co-parenting success.
Immigration Law
We handle immigration matters related to family law cases, including conditional residency petitions and deportation defense. Our services ensure clients understand the intersection between immigration status and divorce proceedings, particularly for marriages under two years or cases involving international child custody.
Domestic Violence
Our firm provides urgent legal protection for domestic violence victims and defends against false accusations. We guide clients through restraining order proceedings, custody modifications, and criminal defense while coordinating with social services to ensure client safety and long-term security.
People
Erlina Perez
Founding Attorney
Erlina Perez specializes in family law with 15+ years of experience handling divorce, child custody, and immigration cases. A Rutgers Law graduate and former judicial clerk, she received the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers' Eric D. Turner Award. Fluent in Spanish, she advocates for clients in Hackensack's diverse communities.
Questions
What factors determine child custody in New Jersey?
New Jersey courts prioritize the child's best interests, considering parental cooperation, stability of home environments, and the child's relationship with each parent. Our firm helps develop parenting plans that address these factors while protecting client rights.
How is alimony calculated in Bergen County?
Alimony determinations consider marriage duration, income disparities, and living standards. While New Jersey lacks fixed formulas, our experience with local courts helps negotiate fair spousal support arrangements tailored to individual circumstances.
Can mediation resolve divorce issues effectively?
Yes, mediation successfully resolves many divorce disputes by fostering cooperation. Our certified mediators help couples negotiate property division, custody, and support agreements while maintaining control over outcomes rather than court-imposed decisions.
What happens to immigration status after divorce?
Conditional residency based on marriage requires filing Form I-751 within two years. Divorce may affect status, but waivers exist for victims of abuse or good-faith marriages. Our firm provides critical guidance to protect immigration rights during divorce proceedings.
How does equitable distribution work in New Jersey?
Equitable distribution divides marital assets fairly (not necessarily equally) based on factors like marriage length and financial contributions. Our attorneys protect client interests by accurately valuing assets and negotiating favorable property settlements.
What documents are needed for divorce preparation?
Essential documents include financial records (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements), property titles, insurance policies, and child-related documents. Our team guides clients through gathering these materials to ensure comprehensive divorce filings.
