We represent clients in divorce, custody, child support, alimony, and post-judgment matters before the Bergen County Family Part in Hackensack. After more than 35 years in practice, we handle everything from uncontested filings to high-conflict litigation.
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I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by Barbara Cowen during my divorce settlement.
Whether your case is contentious or amicable, we can help. Our attorneys handle cases involving the following family law matters for clients in Allendale, Hackensack, Teaneck, and other surrounding communities:
We represent clients in contested and uncontested divorces through mediation, collaborative law, arbitration, or litigation, covering equitable distribution, custody, support, and alimony.
We handle legal and residential custody disputes, parenting time, and relocation matters under N.J.S.A. 9:2-4, with parenting plans built to work for real-life school and commuting schedules.
We represent payors and recipients in support orders and modifications under the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines (Rule 5:6A), which use both parents’ incomes, overnights, and childcare costs.
We advise on spousal support under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23, covering all four alimony types (open durational, limited duration, rehabilitative, reimbursement) and modifications driven by income changes, retirement, or cohabitation.
We file and defend motions to modify custody, support, or alimony when a substantial change in circumstances (job loss, relocation, remarriage, or a child’s changing needs) justifies revisiting the order.
When a trial court ruling rests on an error of law or misapplication of the record, we handle appeals to the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court.
We represent victims and accused individuals at Temporary and Final Restraining Order hearings under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 et seq.), which carry lifelong consequences.
We draft and review prenuptial agreements under New Jersey’s Uniform Premarital and Pre-Civil Union Agreement Act (N.J.S.A. 37:2-31 et seq.), best handled well before the wedding to support enforceability.
Cases from Allendale are heard at the Bergen County Justice Center, 10 Main Street, Hackensack. A few patterns we see regularly with 07401 clients:
Family law disputes can feel overwhelming, especially when your family, finances, and future are all on the line. Clients turn to Cowen & Jacobs for honest guidance and strong advocacy through their most difficult times.
Here’s why families in Allendale come to us during their most difficult transitions:
Let us make this stressful time easier for you. Get in touch with us today.
No. New Jersey allows divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences without a separation period, provided you’ve experienced those differences for at least six months. Spouses can share a residence throughout the case if necessary.
Not without the other parent’s consent or court approval. New Jersey courts apply the best-interests-of-the-child standard to relocation requests, weighing the reason for the move, the impact on the child, and the parenting time alternative offered.
Both spouses are required to complete a Case Information Statement under oath. When disclosure is incomplete or inaccurate, we use formal discovery, subpoenas, and where needed, forensic accountants to surface what’s missing. Courts can impose sanctions for nondisclosure.
Yes. NJ courts can award attorney’s fees during the case (pendente lite) when there is a disparity in income or resources, or when one spouse is acting in bad faith. Limited finances should not dictate outcome.
The Early Settlement Panel (ESP) is a court program where volunteer matrimonial attorneys review your case and recommend a financial settlement. Bergen County requires economic issues to go through ESP before a trial date is set, and most cases settle at or shortly after the panel.
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"When I was let go unfairly, Cowen & Jacobs not only explained my rights but made me feel like someone finally had my back."
Are you ready to get started on your case with a consultation? With over 35 years of experience, our child custody attorneys are ready to fight for you. Reach out to us today to see what Cowen & Jacobs can do to assist you in your journey through the legal system, which can be very stressful, particularly with regard to child related issues.
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At our women-owned Hackensack firm, every client works directly with Barbara or Sara, never a rotating cast of associates.
Licensed in New Jersey since 1981, Barbara graduated cum laude from Pace University School of Law and clerked for the Hon. Arthur Minuskin in the Bergen County Superior Court. She serves on the Bergen County Ethics Committee and focuses on divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence.
Admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1984, Sara earned her J.D. from Touro Law Center and her LL.M. from NYU. She co-chaired the Bergen County ADR Committee and spent fourteen years as a Superior Court arbitrator, informing a mediation-first approach to family law.
The hardest part is rarely the legal process itself, it’s the uncertainty before you understand it. A free consultation is space to ask the questions on your mind, hear how the law applies to your specific situation, and decide your next move with clarity. No commitment required. Just answers.
We are here for you and ready to help you resolve your legal issue. For a consultation discussing your case, call Cowen & Jacobs today.
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