Top best Divorce & Separation Lawyers in ZIP 12603 | 5 available

Maura has been practicing with the same firm, and specifically in in the area of matrimonial and family law, for 23 years.  She handles all facets of divorce and family law matters. While she strives to arrive at negotiated settlements for her clients, she also litigates cases in the Dutchess and Putnam County Courts.   She also practices collaboratively.

I was raised in Dutchess County and returned to New York in 2001 after practicing law in Hawaii for nine years.. My background includes family law, estate planning, consumer rights, and all facets of poverty law, and I now concentrate my practice in the areas of Matrimonial and Family Law.  I have expanded my practice to include Collaborative Divorce as an alternative to traditional litigation as I believe it is a far better way to resolve family conflict.  I am also a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers so I can stay abreast of the constant changes in this area of the law.. I was previously been appointed as Attorney for the Child to represent the interest of minor children involved in custody and visitation disputes by Dutchess County Supreme Court and Family Court Justices and I received the Dutchess County Family Court’s “Law Guardian of the Year” award in 2008.. AREAS OF PRACTICE:DivorceAlimony & Spousal SupportChild SupportCustody & VisitationFamilyCollaborative Law. BAR ADMISSIONS:Hawaii, 1992District of Columbia, 2001New York, 2002U.S. District Court District of Hawaii, 1995U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 2002. EDUCATION:Western New England University School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts, May, 1992 J.D.Douglass College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, May, 1989 B.A.. HONORS AND AWARDS:Recipient, Dutchess County Bar Association “Law Guardian of the Year” Award for 2008BV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:Member, Hawaii State Bar Association, 1992 – PresentMember, District of Columbia Bar Association, 2001 – PresentMember, New York State Bar Association, 2002 – PresentMember, Dutchess County Bar Association, 2002 – PresentImmediate Past-President 2016-2017; President 2015-2016; President-Elect 2014-2015; Vice President 2013-2014; Secretary 2012-2013; Assistant Treasurer 2011-2012Member, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, 2002 – PresentMember, American Bar Association, 1992 – PresentMember, Rotary Club of Maui, Maui, Hawaii, 1994 – 2000Rotary Club of Maui, Maui, Hawaii, 1996 – 1997 Community Service DirectorRotary Club of Poughkeepsie, Poughkeepsie, New York, 2004 – 2005 MemberMember, Maui County Bar Association, 1992 – 2001Member, Maui County Estate Planning Council President 1995-1996Member, Dutchess County Family Court Advisory Board, 2007 – PresentDutchess County Bar Association Grievance Committee MemberAmerican Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Fellow. VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY:Member, Vassar Brothers Hospital Foundation Board, 2017 – Present. PAST EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS:Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Kauai County Branch Lihue, Hawaii, Managing Attorney, 2000 – 2001Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Database Manager, 2000 – 2001Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Maui County Branch Wailuku, Hawaii, Managing Attorney, 1997 – 2001Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Maui Branch Wailuku, Hawaii, Staff Attorney, 1996 – 1997The Law Office of Judith L. Neustadter Wailuku, Hawaii, Of Counsel, 1994 – 1996Hawaii Lawyer’s Care/AmeriCorps National Service Maui, Hawaii, Attorney, 1994 – 1995Foley Maehara Judge Nip & Chang, nka Brooks Tom & Miller Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii, Associate, 1992 – 1993Ostertag O’Leary & Barrett, Associate, 2001 – 2008. FRATERNITIES/SORORITIES:Phi Alpha Delta

I started the practice of law as an Assistant District Attorney in Dutchess County at age 24.   It is there where I quickly gained experience as a trial attorney having completed over 30 Jury trials during my approximatly five years with the office.  Since then I have done hundreds of both Jury and bench trials ranging from Murder cases to Divorce litigation.  I bring this extensive trial experience to the table to benefit my clients in the negotiations knowing that if needed and called upon we can bring the appropriate position before the Court at trial.. Having grown up in the Mid-Hudson Valley and  practiced  here my entire career I am invested in my community.  I attented high school at Roy C. Ketcham obtained my BA at Marist College and my Juris Doctorate at Albany Law.  I am a father of 4 wonderful children and the Law firm actively donates and sponsor to various youth baseball, soccer and basketball teams. Our firm believes it is important to give back to the community that has givien us their trust and who we have been particpants in our entire lives.. I meet new people going through difficult times every week and love coming to work every day knowing that there will be new problems that I can use my skills to help solve and help others move past troubled times.. .

Family law matters deal with the most intimate areas of people’s lives. At Brooke, Brady & Schopfer, LLP, our practice focuses on family law representation, with no distractions. That enables us to approach each case with a high level of understanding and dedication.. If you are going through a divorce, suffering from domestic abuse, looking for help enforcing child support or dealing with any other family law issue in Dutchess County, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer at our firm to schedule a free initial consultation.. At Brooke, Brady & Schopfer, LLP, we do not take a single-minded approach to resolving family law issues.. Our Poughkeepsie divorce and family law attorneys have abundant experience as litigators, but we also have experience with out-of-court alternatives such as the collaborative law process. Many of the cases we handle are resolved in negotiations between spouses rather than a determination by a judge.. We believe in keeping your options open, and our team approach means that if your case changes direction, our lawyers are equipped to meet any of your needs. We work with families to help work out the critical issues of divorce, including child support, child custody and property division.. Family Court: A Unique EnvironmentIn New York, family law issues can be resolved in family court or in the main civil court (the Supreme Court). We know the ins and outs of family court in Dutchess County and we will work hard to achieve an outcome that meets your objectives.. If you need to speak with a qualified divorce attorney or family lawyer in Dutchess County, New York, we are pleased to offer a free consultation without obligation. Call today to schedule an appointment with an attorney at our full-service family law office in Poughkeepsie, New York.