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2024

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Best Family Lawyers in Amherst

Our Recommended Top 10

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Amherst Family Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

85

Reviewed

55

Curated

10

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
5500 Main Street, Suites 263/265, Williamsville, NY 14221
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Matrimonial Mediation Services of Buffalo, Inc., offers legal representation to families and individuals in Amherst and the surrounding areas. Its family lawyers assist couples in resolving conflict with respect. Its team of mediation attorneys helps clients identify, collaborate, and negotiate an agreement that is acceptable to both sides while meeting their short- and long-term needs. The team also handles same-sex divorce, legal separation agreements, parental plans, post-divorce financial mediation and child custody, and post-nuptial agreements.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (19)

Website
43 Court Street, Suite 800, Buffalo, NY 14202
  • Asset Distribution
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Ashlea L. Palladino Attorney at Law provides counsel and representation for clients undergoing family conflicts. The firm serves individuals and couples throughout Amherst and the surrounding areas, focusing on various areas of family law such as legal separation and divorce, property division, alimony, child support, and enforcement and modification of orders. It also assists with filing orders of protection in cases of abuse or neglect. Palladino has been practicing family law since 2010 and serves on the board of Women Lawyers of Western New York.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (16)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (6)

Website
380 Cleveland Dr., Buffalo, NY 14215
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Schaus & Schaus LLP Attorneys at Law is a fourth-generation law firm that handles the legal needs of the people of Amherst. Its family lawyer, Barbara A. Schaus, guides clients through the complicated and emotionally-charged processes of divorce, child custody and support, timesharing, and alimony. She also helps with debt and property division. Barbara is admitted to practice before all courts in New York State, including the United States District Court, Western District of New York, and the United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York. 

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (18)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2560 Walden Avenue Suite 112, Cheektowaga, NY 14225

Why choose this provider?

Elaina M. Monte, Attorney at Law, serves clients in the Amherst metro and the surrounding areas. It offers legal advice and representation to individuals facing family law issues. The firm has experience helping people pursue justice for child neglect, seek child custody, divide assets during a divorce, and set up a protection order. Its attorney, Elaina M. Monte, has been practicing law for over 10 years. She is a board member of the WNY Veterans Housing Coalition.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (72)
Google
4.0 / 5 (41)
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
392 Pearl Street Suite 400, Buffalo, NY 14202
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Gabriele Law PLLC is a boutique firm that represents Amherst residents in family and matrimonial law litigation. It assists individuals and families in resolving divorce cases and related matters in a timely and cost-effective manner. Vanessa Gabriele and her team help with adoptions, prenuptial agreements, mediation, and protection orders. In addition, they handle high net-worth divorce cases. Gabriele is a member of the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association's Family Law Section.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (23)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2655 Sheridan Dr, Tonawanda, NY 14150
  • Alimony
  • Adoption
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Bengart & DeMarco, LLP, has been catering to Amherst-based clients for more than 30 years. Its team consists of attorneys and paralegals who work with spouses and families in litigation proceedings and negotiations concerning divorces, alimony, child custody, and asset division. They help resolve disputes by connecting both parties and communicating their respective goals in line with their long-term domestic, financial, and legal needs. Bengart & DeMarco also negotiates child and spousal support modifications, explains adoption requirements, and coordinates estate and business planning initiatives.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.4
Google
4.4 / 5 (13)

Website
2140 Eggert Road, Amherst, NY 14226
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Kate Johnson Law deals with the family-related matters of Amherst residents. The firm represents clients in negotiations, settlements, and court proceedings to help them achieve favorable outcomes in cases involving uncontested or contested divorce, asset division, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, child custody and support, spousal alimony, and enforcement or modification of family court decisions. Additionally, Kate Johnson Law handles estate planning matters to assist clients in making plans for their children's future and safeguarding properties for their families.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (22)

Website
43 Court St Suite 800, Buffalo, NY 14202
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

DiPasquale & Carney, LLP, offers legal counsel to individuals, couples, and families in Amherst and the surrounding areas. The firm handles various aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody and support, paternity matters, and enforcement of orders. Ryan Carney, one of its lawyers, has litigated cases in New York's Surrogate, Family, City and Town, County, Supreme, and Administrative courts. He also gives back to the community through Buffalo City Mission, where he helps homeless men and women with their legal problems.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.1 / 5 (9)

Website
5662 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221
  • Domestic Violence
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

For more than 30 years, Kevin P. Shelby, Attorney at Law, has been catering to clients in Amherst dealing with family law matters. The legal team guides couples going through a divorce, helping them resolve paternity, custody and visitation, and child support issues. It also helps with pre- and post-nuptial agreements and equitable property distribution. Additionally, the firm litigates cases that may result in criminal charges, such as domestic violence and neglect. The founding lawyer is associated with the Family Court Practice & Procedure Committee.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Website
500 Pearl Street Suite 810, Buffalo, NY 14202
  • Postnuptial Agreements
  • Child Custody
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Mattingly Cavagnaro, LLP, serves clients throughout Amherst. It handles a wide variety of matrimonial and family law cases, including child and spousal support, same-sex and international divorce, and pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreement issues. It also handles property and asset division, annulment, and mediation. Its attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience handling family and matrimonial law cases. Christopher S. Mattingly, co-principal of the firm, served as president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers' New York Chapter.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Facebook
4.0 / 5 (5)
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What kinds of cases do family lawyers handle?

    Family lawyers handle all types of family-related issues, including divorce, child support and spousal support, custody, adoption, paternity and guardianship. Family attorneys can also handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and divide marital assets based on the policies outlined in these documents. Domestic violence cases are also within the purview of family law attorneys.

  • Is family court different from district court?

    In most states, family court is a division of the district court rather than a separate court system. Family law judges primarily preside over family disputes, such as divorce and custody hearings. Most states require family law judges to receive special training on how to best address family law matters.

  • How long do custody cases last in family court?

    The duration of custody cases can differ based on the circumstances surrounding the claim. A case in which parents agree to split custody can be quick, while lawsuits in which both parents or guardians are fighting for full custody can take much longer. Most child custody cases last three to 10 days, but this can vary under more challenging circumstances.

  • Why is there no jury in family court?

    There are no juries in family court cases because the concept of innocence or guilt does not apply. While there may be some cases in which additional opinions could be helpful, most cases are based on the letter of the law versus individual circumstances. Some states, including Texas, permit jury trials for family court cases, but this is uncommon.

  • What are the most common cases in family court?

    Family law covers a variety of different cases pertaining to familial relations. The most common cases in family court include:

    • Divorce cases, including settling issues of alimony, property distribution, and child care
    • Child custody and the determination of paternity
    • Domestic violence protection orders
    • Name changes, including modifications due to adoption or personal preference
    • Guardianship, including who will handle the care of a child or adult should current caretakers be unable to do so
    • Adoptions and the termination of parental rights
    • Juvenile matters, including child abuse and neglect, foster placements, and criminal conduct
    • Emancipation, which is the process of declaring a minor as independent from their parents
    • Approval of underage marriages

  • Do family lawyers handle mediation?

    Mediation can be a valuable part of a divorce case, counseling spouses to work through areas of disagreement in a fair, calm, and unbiased manner. Most, but not all, family lawyers handle mediation. Anyone who believes they may need intervention services is encouraged to ask about an attorney’s experience with resolving disputes, to ensure that support is available if necessary.