Family Law
When it comes to family, legal matters can be challenging, sensitive and highly volatile. At Bouvier Law, you’ll find our family and matrimonial law attorneys combine compassion with practical advice to deliver caring, yet effective resolutions for our clients. We offer clients personalized attention and one-on-one service. You will never get lost in the shuffle. Our attorneys are compassionate advocates who accord every case a high level of importance. Our goal is to successfully resolve family legal matters while minimizing cost and emotional upheaval for our clients. With over 40 combined years of experience in handling family law matters right here in Buffalo, our practice is well-seasoned in issues involving:
Divorce & Separation
Personalized service throughout the Divorce Process
Finding the right divorce lawyer can make a difference in resolving what can be a difficult time of transition. Whether it’s about understanding how to file for divorce or serving divorce papers, our attorneys will guide you through the process, provide you with personalized attention, and be sure to help you navigate the complexities of Divorce:
- High Asset/Net Worth Divorce
- Marital Agreements
- Contested, Uncontested, and No-Fault Divorce
- Filing for Divorce
- Legal Separation
- Modification of Agreements
- Negotiation and Settlement
- Same-sex Relationships
- Separation Agreements
- Pre and Post Marital (post-nuptial) Agreements
- Co-Habitation Agreements
- Asset Division
- Spousal Support
- Child Support
- Mediation
- Post-judgment Modifications
Bouvier Law LLP provides comprehensive legal representation to clients throughout the divorce and separation process. Our lawyers are by your side every step of the way beginning with the initial divorce filing through the negotiation process, litigation before both the Family Court and Supreme Court, and the appeals process. We also help clients modify existing divorce agreements to better reflect the realities of their evolving daily lives.
Bouvier Law LLP will negotiate to resolve issues in the most amicable way. We never encourage litigation when a beneficial settlement agreement can be reached. We rely on our experience to craft comprehensive, smart legal strategies that protect our clients’ interests, resolve their legal disputes and help them move forward with their lives.
High-Asset / High Net Worth Divorce Representation
Unfortunately, many marriages end in separation or divorce which can be overwhelming not only for the spouses but the entire family as well. The divorce process involves resolving some issues like the division of property, spousal maintenance (or alimony), and child custody and support. If you are considering a divorce, it is essential that you know your rights to protect your interests, your children’s well being, as well as your assets and finances. High-asset divorces are among the most complex and potentially contentious. At Bouvier Law LLP, we have the experience and sophistication to handle matrimonial and family law matters for professionals, including athletes, doctors, attorneys, and high-profile executives.
Experienced matrimonial and family law attorneys at Bouvier Law LLP employ forensic accountants and other specialists to review and provide guidance on the following issues:
- Equitable division of debt;
- Potential tax consequences of asset division;
- Prenuptial Agreements;
- Vocational and business valuation and assessment;
- Division of retirement and other income accounts;
- Strategic structuring of payout settlements;
- Child and spousal support distributions;
- Determination of marital and separate property; and
- Review of Property Settlement Agreements.
Working with the experienced attorneys at Bouvier Law LLP allows high net worth — and high-profile — couples to retain their privacy and their profits during this difficult time.
Our lawyers represent clients during every stage of the property division process in both property settlement agreements and courtroom litigation. We often connect clients with tax and investment professionals who can advise them on how to best manage their money after the divorce is final.
Child Custody & Visitation
When a change of life occurs, children can often complicate issues and finding the right solution can take the utmost care and attention. Our family law attorneys not only understand the child custody laws but also the emotional toll custody battles can take on all family members. Our care and concern is genuine, and we’ll help you find the best solution for your family if you are facing any of these issues:
- Custody and visitation
- Custody for unmarried parents
- Child support
- Paternity
- Parental Rights
- Grandparents’ rights
- Parenting schedules
- Parental relocation
- School district changes
- Custody and Visitation modifications
- Post-judgment modifications
Navigating the family court system can be challenging, particularly without an experienced advocate on your side. If you are facing divorce, custody or other family law issues, you deserve effective legal counsel to protect your rights and interests.
At Bouvier Law LLP, we provide realistic and solution-oriented legal guidance in family law matters. Our attorneys draw on years of experience in family law — including serving as a court-appointed attorney for children in Erie County courts — to help clients achieve favorable outcomes. We possess unique insight into crafting effective strategies for navigating family law issues.
Pre-Marriage Planning
When you decide to get married, it’s a big step and an even bigger commitment. You agree to be taking on care and responsibility for a spouse, and even children. Being fully aware of the laws with regard to marriage is a responsible way to be prepared to avoid any problems down the road. Prenuptial agreements, commonly known as “prenups,” are legal documents that outline how engaged couples will divide their assets if they divorce. And, in recent years, more people have been requesting them, according to a survey of matrimonial lawyers. Our firm offers services concerning the following:
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Pre-marriage asset consultation
- Property valuation
A pre-marital (or pre-nuptial) agreement is entered into before the marriage and specifies each future spouses property ownership and the property rights of each party if they decide to divorce. The benefits of a prenuptial agreement include:
- Provides financial clarity
- Reduces conflicts in a divorce
- Avoids division of property by the court
A well designed premarital agreement will also clarify the management of joint bank accounts, household bills, and credit card payments, determine the amount of income that will be set aside for savings, and also specify how disputes will be resolved. In order for the agreement to be approved by the Court, it must be fair, and both parties must enter into it free of coercion.
Modifications of Divorce Judgment
Our family and matrimonial law attorneys know that life circumstances change and we routinely pursue modification proceedings in the courts. In order to modify a divorce judgment, there must be proof that there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances that affects child custody and support or spousal maintenance (alimony). Circumstances that can be the basis for a modification include:
- Relocation involving minor children
- Change in employment status
- Increase or decrease in income
- Unforeseen expenses
- Issues concerning visitation
Although our matrimonial attorneys are experienced litigators and comfortable handling a case within the confines of a courtroom, we are committed to resolving cases as amicably and expeditiously as possible. If you are considering a legal separation or divorce, call the law offices of Bouvier Law LLP today.
