If you or your spouse or ex-spouse are or were in the military, then there are special military benefits that should be considered. Our Family Law and Divorce attorneys are knowledgeable in those benefits and will advise you on how to protect you and your children from losing those benefits.
Child Support
A Child support is based on a guidelines formula which takes into account the parties respective incomes, daycare costs, health insurance costs, parenting time schedules and other factors.
Child Custody and Visitation
Whether your divorce is simple or complex, it can easily develop into a highly emotional battleground that can be costly and time consuming. We strive to avoid that from happening but will be there to protect you as needed. The attorneys of the law firm of Gerstein Grayson & Cohen are well equipped to assist you in all aspects of separation and divorce, including the negotiation, mediation, and if needed litigation of issues of alimony and spousal support, child custody and child support, visitation, the equitable distribution of assets, and more.
Adoption
Paternity
Premarital Agreement
We have extensive experience in drafting prenuptial agreements and we make the process as stress free and as legally uncomplicated as possible. Prenuptial Agreements are not just for rich people. Prenuptial Agreements in many cases avoid the expense and emotional turmoil of a divorce. Prenuptial Agreements help to establish certainty in a marriage. Prenuptial Agreements are particularly beneficial in second marriages when you wish to protect the interests of your children from a prior marriage, as well as yourself.
Guardianship
Guardianship is a matter of growing concern as the population ages and our loved ones reach the age where they cannot effectively manage their own medical and financial needs. In order to ensure that the people we care about are well protected, the courts can appoint a guardian or conservator to attend to these responsibilities. The attorneys at the law firm of Gerstein Grayson & Cohen understand and are very experienced in helping you and your loved ones through this legal process. We make the process as stress free and as legally uncomplicated as possible.
Spousal Support
Legal Separation
Divorce, Property Settlement Agreements, Custody and Visitation, Support, Paternity, Domestic Relations, Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Domestic Marital Agreements, Legal Separation, Domestic Violence, Protective Orders, Adoptions or Guardianships, Military Divorce, Same Sex Matrimonial Issues
Attorney Joseph A. Connell Sr. provides legal counsel pertaining to the immigration consequences of accepting a criminal plea essentially involves the study of two fields of law, one being criminal law and the second one being immigration law. The term “crimmigration” is used to describe the immigration consequences associated with criminal activity.
DUI/DWI
A The most serious traffic offense heard in Municipal Court is drunk driving. A conviction always involves both a driver’s license suspension (from three months to 10 years) as well as significant fines and surcharges. However, the vast majority of moving violations involve motor vehicle points, which in turn impact auto insurance rates.
Wrongful Death
Traffic Violations
Representation in Motor Vehicle Violations – such as Speeding Tickets, Traffic Offenses, DWI, or Auto Accidents, Disorderly Persons and other Municipal Court Violations.
Theft
Misdemeanors
A New Jersey does not have a system of felonies and misdemeanors. Instead, New Jersey has 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degree crimes, the 1st degree being the most severe. New Jersey also has quasi criminal offenses, such as disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly offenses and municipal
Embezzlement
Most businesses unfortunately will experience some type of Fraud be it Embezzlement, Theft, or Misrepresentation. The Attorneys at Gerstein Grayson & Cohen are knowledgeable and experienced in handling these types of matters and recovering for our clients the funds or property that were stolen or embezzled from them. We also recover for our clients damages for the harm suffered by them from the misrepresentations made to them.
Drug Crimes
A In New Jersey, Municipal Courts hear charges involving disorderly persons allegations, drunk driving and other minor traffic infractions and violations of municipal ordinances, and minor drug charges. More serious criminal matters, known as indictable offenses, are heard in the Superior Court.
Assault
A Disorderly persons offenses include simple assault, possession of illegal drugs and a variety of theft crimes, including shoplifting. Petty disorderly persons offenses include harassment.
Murder
A In almost all cases, a defendant’s rights in Municipal Court are identical to the rights of a defendant charged with a major felony, such as murder. That means the State must prove, to the satisfaction of the Municipal Court Judge, the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Juvenile Crimes
Shoplifting
Restraining Order
For example, in an unpublished opinion, New Jersey’s Appellate Division recently upheld a Final Restraining Order (FRO) even though the Judge did not follow the procedure outlined by the law. In
Business planning requires careful consideration in a number of different areas. The business law attorneys at Gerstein Grayson & Cohen can provide you with the advice you need regarding the selection of the correct type of entity for your particular circumstances, in order to provide you with the maximum tax benefit and maximum protection from liability. We can assist you with the purchase and sale of an entity as well as with business succession planning, tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, the organization and reorganization of partnerships and LLCs, and documentation of financing transactions.
Business Disputes
She graduated from Temple University, magna cum laude and from Rutgers Law School, magna cum laude and received the Prentice Hall award for distinguished work in Taxation. Cynthia taught Business Law and Income Taxation at Stockton College and Rowan University. She currently practices and specializes in the areas of estate and trusts and elder law planning.
Business Transactions
Mr. Grayson’s legal, tax and accounting background enables him to provide pragmatic advice to clients and to structure business transactions so as to minimize federal and estate tax liability. He is highly regarded, not only as an accomplished tax attorney, but also as an astute transactional attorney adept in handling sophisticated real estate, business and financing transactions.
Limited Liability Companies
When starting and/or operating a closely held business there are many questions and issues that need to be addressed such as those regarding what type of entity the business should be, what is the best way to finance the business, who gets to make the business decisions and what happens if one of the owners die, become disabled, or divorced. Even from the beginning, long-term planning including business succession planning must be taken into account. Questions of this nature require extensive knowledge in the complex areas of business law and tax law. The knowledgeable and experienced attorneys at the law firm of Gerstein Grayson & Cohen are able to provide business owners with sophisticated advice in the areas of tax and business planning for “C” corporations, “S” corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs) and partnerships. We are committed to helping our clients structure their entities and their transactions in a way that achieves the best results under federal, state and local tax laws while minimizing risk and liability to themselves.
Construction Contracts
The attorneys of Gerstein Grayson & Cohen understand the importance of getting construction projects completed in a timely and cost-effective manner. We work to head off problems, before construction claims occur, by drafting construction contracts properly, as well as to resolve disputes as efficiently and quickly as possible, if and when a construction contract issue does occur. Working with our team can make all the difference between a construction contract that anticipates the complexities and difficulties that might arise and a contract that falls short of that mark.
The Franchise Attorneys at the law firm of Gerstein Grayson & Cohen represent both buyers and sellers of Franchises, in the acquisition, financing and sale of Franchises, as well with respect to the formation of the entity that will own and operate the Franchise. We provide advise on the most optimal business entity structure for your particular situation, providing you with the most advantageous tax status while protecting you from personal liability. We will also guide you with respect to your lease or purchase of the property where the Franchisee will conduct its business, and the preparation of Employment Agreements, Vendor Agreements, and Agreements with Customers.
The practice of real estate law encompasses a wide range of transactions, from the buying and selling of residential, retail and commercial properties to representation of clients with the respect to the financing and leasing of real estate. Our knowledgeable extensive experience in these types of transactions, as well as in the acquisition and development of housing developments, shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, assisted living facilities and apartments, works to our client’s benefit, ensuring that each of our clients are well protected and well informed. We are very knowledgeable and very experienced in structuring, negotiating, and documenting complex real estate transactions of all kinds.
Premises Liability
Motor Vehicle Liability Actions, Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Claims, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Construction Accidents, First Party Claims, and Self-Insureds.
Construction Litigation
Negotiation and preparation of contracts and other documents, Construction Lien Claims, Prosecution, and Defense of Construction Defect Claims.
Real Estate Transactions
At Gerstein Grayson & Cohen, we have earned a reputation for providing our clients with the highest level of representation. We have represented clients in some of southern New Jersey’s largest and most prominent real estate projects. We have negotiated and prepared agreements of sale, conveyancing documents, financing documents and multiple-party exchange agreements. We have closed sales and financing in transactions ranging in size of up to seventy five million dollars.
Land Use and Zoning
Gerstein Grayson & Cohen can help with your Zoning and Land use Approval needs, as well. We can provide knowledgeable representation before Planning and Zoning Boards throughout southern New Jersey, and help you in applying for land use approvals such as site planning approvals, sub-division approvals and variances. The application process is a complicated process in and of itself and if not done properly can delay your application for being heard and approved for many months. With our legal guidance, we can help convince the Board of the legality and benefits of your proposed project.
Property Damage
Vehicle accidents happen all the time. In most cases these accidents are minor fender benders that result in no physical harm to anybody and only minor damage to the car itself. But all too often, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and bus accidents result in serious bodily harm or death and are the result of a driver’s negligence or driver making reckless or careless mistakes. In some cases the driver is driving too fast or disobeying other traffic laws. In many cases accidents involve drunk driving, substance abuse or distracted driving. When drivers get behind the wheel of their vehicle they are responsible for driving safely in order to protect themselves, their passenger and those with whom they share the road. When they fail in this responsibility, the Personal Injury Attorneys at Gerstein Grayson & Cohen are here to represent the injured party, helping them to recover moneys spent for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages and other expenses including pain and suffering.
Immigration attorney Joseph A. Connell, Sr. has over two decades of providing experienced, professional counsel and representation in all areas of family based immigration.
Employment Immigration
Business Immigration
Mr. Connell has represented both employers and employees in matters pertaining to employment visas for foreign nationals. He provides guidance to companies for immigration regulatory compliance, including I-9 audits and issues regarding employer sanctions. In business immigration, a commitment to quality and unparalleled service is vital to corporations which employ foreign nationals. He represents both the employers and employees in the following employment based visa categories...
Work Visas
Mr. Connell has represented both employers and employees in matters pertaining to employment visas for foreign nationals. He provides guidance to companies for immigration regulatory compliance, including I-9 audits and issues regarding employer sanctions. In business immigration, a commitment to quality and unparalleled service is vital to corporations which employ foreign nationals. He represents both the employers and employees in the following employment based visa categories...
If you become the victim of someone else’s negligence, we can help you get justice. Personal injury from falls, car accidents, work–related accidents, and other situations can receive compensation with our legal team. We will work hard for you to get justice when someone else is at fault for harming you. If a plaintiff wrongfully claims you are at fault for their personal injury, we will defend you, as well. Don’t be misled or let anyone get the best of you. Let us help you get the money to which you are entitled.
Medical Malpractice
Automobile Accidents and Non-Automobile Related Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Slips and Falls, or Work Related Injuries, Dog Bites, and Wrongful Death actions.
Auto Accidents
Dog Bites
Well behaved, well trained dogs can be wonderful companions to humans. They can provide comfort and love, and serve humans in a number of valuable ways. But all too often animals that are not properly restrained or trained become aggressive and can cause serious harm. There are an estimated 4.7 million dog bite victims in the United States every year. The average expense for medical treatment for a dog bite is $18,000, but very few of these victims are successful in getting the compensation that they are entitled to cover their expenses and damages from the incident. Having an experienced attorney to represent you against the dog owner and the dog owner’s insurance company will provide you with a powerful advantage and a much better chance of recovering the monies you have spent, as well as being compensated for the emotional impact and pain and suffering you have incurred.
As every individual has different circumstances and desires, sometimes trusts or other Estate Planning documents may also be necessary or advisable.
Wills
The Estate and Trust Attorney as well as the Trial attorneys at Gerstein Grayson & Cohen are also available to advise and represent individuals who wish to contest the validity of a Will because they believe that a Will does not accurately reflect the intent of the testator or that the testator was unduly influenced by another person. Undue influence of a testator happens in many different contexts. In view of these circumstances, the knowledge and experience the Estate Trust attorney of Gerstein Grayson & Cohen can help you obtain the funds and property to which you are entitled.
Trusts
A Will is an essential document that provides instruction for your survivors at the time of your death. It establishes who will be in charge of the distribution of your assets and how those assets will be divided. It is meant to be a reflection of your values and wishes and to provide clarity for your survivors. Though some choose to simply provide a Will, which is effective at the time of their death, others choose a Revocable Living Trust that is put into effect during their lifetime. This document generally retitles a person’s assets while allowing them to retain control of them, and provides the opportunity for a gradual distribution.
Power of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney is a document in which and individual appoints another individual to act for another person in case the individual is to become disabled or incapacitated, and cannot make financial decisions for him or herself.
Probate
In addition to assisting clients with Wills, Power of Attorneys and Trusts, the law firm of Gerstein Grayson & Cohen offers comprehensive Estate Administration and Probate services. Having to probate a Will and administer an Estate or Trust can be emotionally challenging, confusing, and time consuming. The Estate and Trust attorneys at Gerstein Grayson & Cohen can relieve you of that burden and guide you in performing your legal obligations as the Executor, Trustee or Administrator. The Estate and Trust attorneys at Gerstein Grayson & Cohen will prepare any necessary Federal and New Jersey Estate, Inheritance and Estate Income Tax returns for you to the extent such returns are required to be filed and we will obtain the required waivers so that you may have access to the decedent’s funds.
The accomplished trial lawyers at Gerstein Grayson & Cohen have experience in AAA arbitration and in all types of litigation involving real estate transactions whether it be prosecuting a claim for a client or defending a claim against a client of ours, such as for specific performance, foreclosure or breach of contract, and whether in Federal or State Court.
Tax Law
Many individuals and businesses only deal with tax issues after an issue arises. We strongly believe that the time to plan is before issue arise so as to avert tax problems.