Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Divorce Lawyers in Providence

Our Recommended Top 16

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 Providence Divorce Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

102

Reviewed

67

Curated

16

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
1 Turks Head Place- Suite 1440, Providence, RI 02903
  • Uncontested
  • Contested

Why choose this provider?

Larochelle Law counsels individuals in and around the Providence area. Its attorney, John P. Larochelle, handles complex divorce cases and represents clients in child custody disputes. He also advocates for the rights of clients in relocation hearings and has tried cases before the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The legal professional also practices criminal law. He received his Juris Doctor in 1994 and served as a Special Assistant Attorney General prior to opening his firm in 1997.

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

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.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
412 County Street, New Bedford, MA 2740
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Mediation

Why choose this provider?

Wilkinson & Finkbeiner is a law firm serving Providence and the surrounding communities. It conducts consultations with individuals filing for divorce to determine their situation and provide legal advice. Its legal team assists clients in various areas covered by divorce proceedings, including child support, division of marital property, alimony, and child custody and visitation. The firm's co-founder, David K. Wilkinson, is a family law specialist who teaches new lawyers about the field.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Wilkinson - Co-Founder11 yrs

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
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (1)

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
107 Warwick Ave. 2nd Floor, Cranston, RI 02905
  • Uncontested
  • Contested

Why choose this provider?

1776 Divorce is a law firm representing clients across Providence and the surrounding cities. It provides legal assistance to individuals facing uncontested divorce cases involving child support, custody, parenting plans, and marital settlement agreements issues. It also handles real estate deeds, pre-divorce planning, simple wills, and domestic restraining orders. One of its attorneys, Dan Chaika, brings three decades of experience handling divorce cases throughout the metro. Chaika also extends his practice to Connecticut and Massachusetts.

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 (6)

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
145 Waterman Street, Providence, RI 02906
  • Child Custody
  • Mediation

Why choose this provider?

Shapiro Dorry Masterson Limited Liability Company Attorneys at Law is a Providence-based firm that represents individuals and families on issues such as divorce, same-sex divorce, and child custody. In divorce proceedings, its lawyers help clients quickly resume their lives and reduce their financial burden by pursuing mediation and out-of-court settlements. In addition, they handle cases involving real estate, trust and estate, and landlord-tenant law matters. The firm's founding partner, Shawn M. Masterson, is a certified mediator.

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

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
1006 Charles Street, North Providence, RI 02904
  • Uncontested
  • Contested

Why choose this provider?

Mark Sales Law Office, LLC provides legal solutions for clients in Providence and its neighboring communities. With over 25 years of experience, the firm offers legal counsel and representation for family law cases involving contested and uncontested divorce, child custody, visitation rights, and child support. Additional areas of practice include paternity disputes, grandparents visitation rights, restraining orders, property division and settlement, alimony, and postfinal judgment of divorce. The firm also assists with personal injury, criminal, and corporate law cases.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Mark Sales - Principal32 yrs

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.
4.7
Google
4.6 / 5 (17)
Facebook
5.0 / 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
107 Warwick Avenue, Cranston, RI 02905
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Cardona & Perez Law Offices, LLC, offers legal representation to divorcing clients in Providence. It handles various types of divorce for individuals with different kinds of lifestyles. Partner Bienvenido “Ben” Perez Jr. has experience in divorce litigation and other family law-related issues, such as adoption and child custody, support, and visitation. His law firm also addresses legal concerns involving civil matters, criminal defense, immigration, and personal injury. It was founded more than a decade ago in Central Falls before relocating to Cranston.

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
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (9)
Google
4.5 / 5 (4)

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
426 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Mediation

Why choose this provider?

Rioles Family Law is a firm that caters to the legal needs of clients in Providence and the surrounding localities. The company helps individuals and families initiate and settle divorce proceedings. Its legal team provides legal representation and guidance in resolving disputes concerning child custody and support, separation of assets, visitation rights, alimony arrangements, and post-divorce settlements. The group also handles cases involving high-asset divorce. Brenda Rioles, the company's founder, has been litigating family and divorce cases for over three decades.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Brenda Rioles - Founding Attorney / Owner38 yrs

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.
4.6
Avvo
4.7 / 5 (10)
Facebook
3.9 / 5 (7)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (6)

(+1 additional source)

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
1529 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Brenda L. Ferry caters to clients in Providence and the surrounding areas. It represents individuals who are facing a divorce and assists them with related issues, such as alimony, child custody and support, domestic violence, equity distribution, and restraining orders. The firm also handles cases related to auto and motorcycle accidents, simple wills, and traffic court issues. The Law Offices of Brenda L. Ferry has been serving the community for 23 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Brenda Ferry - Principal25 yrs

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.
4.9
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (136)
Google
4.8 / 5 (70)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

(+1 additional source)

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
300 Centerville Rd, Summit West, Suite 305, Warwick, RI 02886
  • Alimony
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Assalone & Associates LLC is an all-female family law firm that serves the residents of Providence and the surrounding areas. With certified family law mediators on staff, it assists with every step of the divorce process. It also represents clients in court, when necessary. The firm handles matters such as property division, child custody, and child support. Founding attorney Veronica Assalone is a recipient of Rhode Island Monthly Magazine's Professional Excellence in Law award. She can also speak Spanish, French, German, and Italian.

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 (69)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (17)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

(+1 additional source)

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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
127 Dorrance Street, Penthouse Suite, Providence, RI 02903
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody

Why choose this provider?

Macktaz Law, Inc. handles divorce cases for clients throughout Providence and the surrounding communities. Macktaz is a former Assistant Attorney General who helps develop solutions tailored to the particular circumstances of each couple, assisting them with related family law matters such as child custody and visitation, alimony, and division of assets and debts. She and her team also facilitate divorce mediation, especially for situations involving children and parental rights. Other areas of practice include personal injury and criminal defense law.

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.
4.7
Google
4.7 / 5 (9)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

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
1130 Ten Rod Road Meadows Office Park, Unit A-103, North Kingstown, RI 2882
  • Child Custody
  • Uncontested

Why choose this provider?

Melissa Larsen is an experienced trial attorney with over two decades of litigation experience. Larsen serves Providence and the nearby metros. She represents clients in various legal matters involving divorce, child custody, support, visitation, and post-final judgment motions. She also handles other cases involving DUI and chemical test refusal, criminal defense, and personal injury. Melissa Larsen served as a municipal court judge for the city of Cranston and is currently the chairperson of the Rhode Island Bar Association's Criminal Law Bench Bar Committee.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Melissa Larsen - Principal25 yrs

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
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (8)

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.
4.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
365 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903
  • Asset Distribution
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Neville J. Bedford, 401 Divorce offers mediation services and legal representation to clients in Providence. Bedford, who started his law practice in 2003, focuses on issues related to family law, such as divorce and other related aspects like child custody and support. He ensures that in the process of getting voluntary settlement in divorce, dignity among parties is maintained and affected children's interests are not overlooked. In addition to family law, he also handles business disputes, intellectual property, personal injuries, and criminal law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Neville Bedford - Principal21 yrs

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.
4.9
Avvo
4.8 / 5 (6)
Google
5.0 / 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.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
––
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1000 Chapel View Blvd. Suite 270, Cranston, RI 02920
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Kirshenbaum Law Associates, Inc. represents clients facing legal dilemmas in divorce and family law proceedings in the Providence metro. The firm has been operating since 1984 and was founded by Allen M. Kirshenbaum, who has been a family law practitioner for more than 40 years. Allen and his legal team counsel individuals, groups, and families in divorce, child custody, division of assets, child support, and divorce modification cases. It also litigated cases involving same-sex marriages and adoption.

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
Google
4.3 / 5 (27)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (7)
Avvo
5.0 / 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
800 Hingham Street, Rockland, MA 02370
  • Child Custody
  • Alimony

Why choose this provider?

Melcher Law PC is a firm that practices and provides legal assistance concerning family law in Providence and nearby communities. It handles contested, uncontested, and negotiated divorce cases. Additionally, Melcher Law helps clients in alimony, property division, and child custody arrangements. It also aids with family law modifications and pursuing restraining orders when necessary. Principal Maura Melcher obtained her Juris Doctor degree in 2012. She provides pro bono work to those who are unable to afford legal services.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Maura Melcher - Principal12 yrs
Jude Kostas - Partner42 yrs

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
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)
Facebook
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

Website
190 Broad St. Suite 1E, Providence, RI 02903
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Bremer Law guides and represents clients in the Providence metro and the surrounding communities. It caters to individuals who are dealing with divorce and helps them address other family law-related matters. These include child custody and support, minor and adult guardianships, and out-of-state orders. The firm also works on criminal defense cases, such as assault and battery, chemical test refusal, disorderly contact, and DUI. Hans J. Bremer, the owner, is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association.

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.
4.6
Google
4.5 / 5 (88)
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (39)

Website
100 Armistice Blvd, Pawtucket, RI 02860
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Christine D. Patterson works with individuals in Providence who wish to legally end their marriages. The firm tackles divorce cases, including the resulting petitions for child custody, spousal support, and the settlement of common assets. The office handles petitions for relocation and paternity processes. It also takes on personal injury suits, such as vehicular accident claims. Counsel Christine D. Patterson has been practicing law for more than two decades and is licensed in Massachusetts.

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 (12)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (8)
Facebook
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 is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Providence, Rhode Island?

    Call 401-272-3121 to report non-emergencies to the police station in Providence.

  • How does domestic violence affect a divorce in Providence?

    Domestic violence can have a significant impact on divorce cases in Providence. Under Rhode Island law, the court prioritizes the best interests of the child, and if there is evidence of domestic violence, the judge will consider this when making child custody arrangements. In cases of repeated domestic violence, the abusive parent may even lose their parental rights entirely. Thus, domestic violence can play a crucial role in determining the outcome of a divorce case, particularly when it comes to matters of child custody.

  • If a person and their spouse are on good terms for their divorce, do they still require a Providence attorney?

    In the case of an uncontested divorce, where both parties are on amicable terms, it is still recommended to seek the assistance of a divorce attorney in Providence. While the divorce process can be done independently, having an attorney can ensure that all necessary topics are covered in the agreements drafted. Meditation is a popular option for couples willing to work together and compromise. Couples who want to end their marriage in a peaceful and pain-free manner can benefit from legal guidance to make sure everything is taken care of.

  • How is child support determined in a Providence divorce?

    The determination of child support in a Providence divorce is based on what is in the best interest of the child. If the spouses cannot agree, the court will make a determination based on several factors, including the income of each spouse and the amount of time they spend with the child. Custody must be established before support is determined, and the court will take into account the unique needs of each family. The process may be lengthy due to the many details that must be considered in order to ensure the child's best interest is met.

  • How long does it take to resolve a contested divorce in Providence?

    The length of time it takes to resolve a divorce in Rhode Island depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. If both parties agree and there are no major disputes, a divorce can be granted on the nominal date, which is approximately 65 days after the plaintiff files for divorce in Providence Family Court. However, if the divorce is contested, it may take 6 to 10 months or longer to resolve and may even result in a trial. A final judgment of divorce in Rhode Island cannot be granted until three months after the nominal hearing.

  • Is there a residency requirement to get divorced in Providence?

    Yes, it is mandatory to fulfill a residency requirement to obtain a divorce in Providence. This requires either the husband or wife to have been domiciled in Rhode Island for one year before filing for divorce in the state family court. Domicile refers to a primary place of residence; while an individual may be a resident of multiple states, they can only have one domicile, which is determined by factors like driver's license, voter, and car registration. This legal provision is necessary to establish jurisdiction for divorce petitions within the state.