Robert F. DaviesDivorce Attorney in Bergen County, New Jersey

About Robert F. Davies

Robert F. Davies practices divorce and family law through The Davies Law Firm, P.A., in Hackensack, New Jersey. The firm’s published biography states that he has represented clients in divorce matters since 1983.

His published practice areas include divorce, custody, paternity and support, equitable distribution, and domestic violence matters. The firm also lists alimony, college and education expenses, and pension-related issues.

His official biography states that he graduated from American University School of Law in 1983 and served as a Dean’s Fellow. It also describes his clerkship with the Honorable Thomas S. O’Brien in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey.

Career background

• 1983Graduated from American University School of Law
• Law schoolDean’s Fellow
• ClerkshipHon. Thomas S. O’Brien, Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division
• PracticeFirm reports representing divorce clients since 1983
• OfficeHackensack, New Jersey

Sources: Robert F. Davies’s official biography and firm practice information.

What his background means for your case

When you are choosing a divorce attorney, the useful questions are practical. Here is what his published background tells you.

A practical guide to divorce in Bergen County

Divorce is one of the most consequential legal processes a person goes through. Below is general information about how divorce and family matters typically work in New Jersey and Bergen County, so you can walk into a first consultation prepared.

What to gather before your first consultation

You do not need everything on day one. Having the basics makes a first meeting far more productive:

• Date and place of marriage, and dates of any prior separation
• Names and ages of any children
• Your last two to three years of tax returns and recent pay stubs
• Recent bank, investment and retirement account statements
• Mortgage, lease, vehicle loan and credit card statements
• Any prenuptial agreement or prior court orders
• A written list of your questions and your goals

Contested vs. uncontested divorce

A divorce is generally called uncontested when both spouses agree on all of the issues: property, debts, support, custody and parenting time. Those terms are usually written into a settlement agreement that the court reviews.

A contested divorce is one where the spouses disagree on one or more issues. Contested cases move through more court steps, and many of them still settle before trial. The path your case takes depends on how many issues are in dispute and how willing both sides are to negotiate.

How mediation fits in

Mediation is a process where a neutral mediator helps spouses negotiate their own agreement. Some couples choose private mediation before or instead of litigation. New Jersey courts also use mediation within the court process, including for custody and parenting time disputes and for financial issues that remain unresolved.

Mediation is not right for every case. Situations involving domestic violence or a serious imbalance of power often call for a different approach. An attorney can help you decide what fits.

Custody and parenting time

New Jersey distinguishes between legal custody, which covers major decisions about a child’s upbringing, and physical custody, which concerns where the child lives day to day. Courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child, and parents in a custody dispute are generally asked to submit a proposed parenting plan.

The Bergen County Family Part

Divorce and family cases in Bergen County are heard in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part, Bergen Vicinage, at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack. Depending on the issues, a contested divorce may involve financial disclosure using a Case Information Statement, case management, an Early Settlement Panel, economic mediation and, if necessary, trial.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Court procedures change, and every case is different. Speak with a licensed New Jersey attorney about your situation.