What Types of Experts Can Help with a Family Law Matter?
Jun 13, 2018 | Written by: | Share
There is an endless list of experts that are available to assist you and your family when dealing with family law related issues (divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, alimony, division of assets).
A great starting point to identifying appropriate experts is to ask your attorney. Attorneys can be valuable resources who can educate clients about various types of experts and consultants, as well as provide referrals at any time during the process.
Types of experts sometimes employed in family law cases include (in no particular order):
- Divorce Coach
- Accountant/Tax Advisor/CPA
- Employability or Vocational Counselor
- Substance Abuse Evaluator/Counselor
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Counselor
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Reunification Expert
- Business Valuation Expert
- Employee Benefits Advisor
- Healthcare Benefits Advisor
- Actuary
- Technology Expert
- Private Investigator
- Translator
- Appraiser (real property, art collections, sports memorabilia, wine collections, jewelry, horses, etc.)
- Certified Financial Planner
- Wealth Advisor/Strategist
- College Application/Preparatory Advisor
- Criminal Attorney
- Mediator
- Arbitrator
- Custody Evaluator
Although this list may seem intimidating (and expensive), it is simply a non-exhaustive list of options, and you may not need assistance from all these experts. However, it is critical for you to understand that there are numerous instances in which your attorney will need to consult with an expert in a particular field. It is in your best interest to select an attorney with knowledge of and connections to quality resources who are ready to assist.
For example, most attorneys should not provide tax advice, but instead, should refer you to a CPA or other qualified individual to address the possible tax ramifications of a settlement or other decision.
Another example is when your divorce or child custody matter may have criminal implications. Your divorce attorney should consult with or retain co-counsel to ensure that any protections available under a criminal action are not comprised in a family law matter.
A third example is the use of a financial planner; this is a usual and critical piece of a divorce case. You should consult with a financial planner, along with your lawyer, to ensure that there is an understanding of financial need versus reality. Proper planning and understanding of the facts in advance of a settlement often leaves clients feeling more confident and secure with their decisions.
The list of experts available to assist is potentially endless. They are not all needed in every case, as each client has different wants/needs/desires/resources that dictate the appropriateness of experts. However, regardless of whether ultimately used, your attorney should have a working relationship with vetted resources, ensuring that you receive the skilled attention necessary for your individual matter.
Diana Fredericks, Esq., is a partner with Gebhardt & Kiefer, PC and devotes her practice solely to family law matters. She is a Certified Matrimonial Attorney and was named to the NJ Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in the practice of family law by Thomson Reuters in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, and to the New Leaders of the Bar list by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2015. Contact Ms. Fredericks for a consultation at 908-735-5161 or via email.
If you have a suggestion for a future blog topic, please feel free to submit it via the Contact Us form.