      
   4.9146 reviews

When to Get a Divorce Lawyer

Request a Case Review

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

10b9db026d89119e951a851045ac17eee7784f79

Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Read Time: 3 mins

Getting a divorce could be one of the hardest decisions you ever have to make, but when the choice is made, a further question remains: when should you get a divorce lawyer? Should you consult a lawyer before you reveal your plans to your spouse, or after? Generally, to protect your interests, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer as soon as possible in the process. Discussing your legal options with a professional can help clarify your intentions and provide the support you need to inform your spouse of your decision.

If your spouse has hired a divorce lawyer, you should get one, too. Doing so will ensure that your interests are fully represented throughout the process.

At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we have developed some simple guidelines to help you determine when you should initiate discussions with a divorce attorney.

When Should You Consult with a Divorce Attorney?

These are solid indicators that you should hire a divorce attorney:

You have already concluded that you want a divorce and you have questions about your rights;
Your spouse has hired a divorce lawyer or has served divorce papers on you;
You suspect that your spouse is hiding or depleting marital assets, or is involved in illegal or unethical activities that may harm you;
You have minor children and expect disagreements over custody and child-rearing issues.

Further, you should retain a divorce lawyer if there have been any incidents of abuse or violence during the marriage, and you are concerned that divorce proceedings will escalate those kinds of events.

How Will a Divorce Lawyer Help You?

Divorce settlements generally address three primary matters:

How will assets be divided? Both New York and New Jersey apply equitable distribution guidelines for asset distribution. This means that property will be divided in a way that is deemed to be most fair, which is not the same as a 50-50 division of property.

Which spouse will have legal and equitable custody of minor children? If the parties are unable to agree on custody, a divorce court might appoint a special guardian to assess custody from a perspective of the best interests of the children.

What alimony and child support payments will be made? Post-divorce payments are often the most difficult aspect of a divorce settlement. Even if a divorce is amicable, you should get a divorce attorney to review and explain the specific language of alimony and child support provisions. That review will help you to avoid confusion and unpleasant surprises in the months and years after the divorce is finalized.

How Can a Divorce Lawyer Ease the Process?

A divorce lawyer will be your advocate throughout the proceedings, help keep the process as civil as possible and work hard to save you time, money, and stress.

At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we understand that a divorce is one of the most difficult decisions that you will make in your lifetime. Our lawyers are committed to helping you make the best choices and move forward with your emotional and financial resources intact.

Our divorce attorneys in Rockland and Bergen counties represent individuals throughout New York and New Jersey. Please call our New York or New Jersey offices at your earliest convenience to schedule a private and confidential consultation with one of our seasoned, compassionate lawyers.

Why Trust Us?

150+ Reviews

50+ Years of Service

Full-Service Law Firm

Client Reviews

    
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   LWelsh 
 16 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Kenny Perlow 
 37 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Aliza Ali 
 101 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jana Montero 
 104 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Sakmann 
 110 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Liz Hecker 
 116 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Brandy Miller 
 139 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Greenspan 
 152 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jonathan Sampson 
 159 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Vinnie Kung 
 162 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

see all reviews

When to Get a Divorce Lawyer

When Should You Consult with a Divorce Attorney?

How Will a Divorce Lawyer Help You?

How Can a Divorce Lawyer Ease the Process?

Why Trust Us?

Rockland County, New York

Bergen County, New Jersey