Surviving Divorce

Insightful Divorce Lawyer and Mediator Bonnie Jerbasi Shares Ways to Ease the Stress of Divorce in NJ

Most people would never get married and one day want to see it end in divorce. In addition to the emotional angst of going through a divorce it is very complex and challenging dealing with other personal and family issues.

Of course there are difficult issues of equitable distribution of assets, parental custody, child or spousal support, and various forms of divorce decisions. Unfortunately New Jersey reflects the rest of the country in divorce its large number of divorce actions.

We asked one of Northern New Jersey's leading Divorce Attorneys, who happens to be also a Divorce Mediator Bonnie Jerbasi, her take on handling these family matters with less stress. Bonnie has quite a accomplished background in New Jersey Divorce matters.

Bonnie Jerbasi, Esq, founder of House Call Attorneys, has practiced law since 1986. A member of the New Jersey bar, Ms. Jerbasi has a wide range of experience in many areas of the law.

Ms. Jerbasi began her career handling wrongful death construction cases, federal criminal stock fraud matters, insurance defense cases and class action matters. She later worked for the State of New Jersey Public Defender’s Office, specializing in criminal appeals.

Bonnie then joined top-notch law firms in Northern New Jersey and handled a broad range of matters from personal injury cases to complex commercial litigation, including franchise litigation for major automobile dealerships, prenuptial agreement litigation, banking law cases and Chancery Division matters.

Bonnie has additional experience with family law, matrimonial cases, loan modifications, immigration, and the preparation of Wills, Living Wills and Powers of Attorney.

Interview with
Bonnie Jerbasi

Montclair411: Bonnie What's the Name of Company and what do you do?

Bonnie's Answer: My law practice is “House Call Attorneys LLC.” I have been an attorney since 1986 and I came up with this unique service a few years ago. I offer quality legal services as well as convenience.

Arrangements can be made for our New Jersey attorneys to meet with clients in their homes, offices, assisted living facilities, and other locations. Should clients prefer to meet in a more traditional setting, our law firm’s office is conveniently located on Park Street in Montclair, New Jersey. I also have a Family Law Mediation and Collaborative law practice.

Interview with Bonnie Jerbasi Part 2. Continued...

Montclair411: can you tell us a little bit about your background, like where you grew up and went to school? Can you also fill us in on your unique career as an attorney.

Bonnie's Answer: I was born and raised in Montclair and I love the town! After I married in the 1980’s I moved out of town but I recently moved back to Montclair and I am so happy that I did. There is no place like Montclair. I went to private school in Montclair and graduated from Lacordaire Academy in 1978. I received my B.A. from Montclair State University in 1982 and my J.D. from Rutgers Law School in 1986.

I began my career handling wrongful death construction cases, federal criminal stock fraud matters, insurance defense cases and class action matters. I then worked for the State of New Jersey Public Defender’s Office, specializing in criminal appeals.

I moved into law firm life by joining top-notch law firms in Northern New Jersey where I handled a broad range of matters from personal injury cases to complex commercial litigation, including franchise litigation for major automobile dealerships, prenuptial agreement litigation, banking law cases and Chancery Division matters...

I am a Court Approved Family Law Mediator and I have experience with family law, matrimonial cases, loan modifications, immigration, and the preparation of Wills, Living Wills and Powers of Attorney.

You could say that I’ve have had my hand in all aspects of civil law throughout my career.

Montclair411: At what point in your life did you decide you wanted to become an attorney?

Bonnie's Answer: I always loved being a student. If someone would pay me to be a professional student I would never leave the classroom. I went to college thinking of a career in teaching but I got sidetracked at some point.

After graduating Montclair State University I worked for a bank for one year. It was the most boring year of my life. A family friend suggested that I go back to school and I took the LSAT and did well. I only applied to one law school and figured if I was accepted it was meant to be. Rutgers accepted me and I started my 3 years of law school in 1983.

Interview with Bonnie Jerbasi Part 3 Continued

I also always had a strong sense of justice. My father was a Montclair Police Officer for 25 years and I was interested in the workings of the law and justice system. I think becoming a lawyer was my way of contributing to the system.

Montclair411: Who were some of your role models that influenced you to go into law?

Bonnie's Answer: My father, Salvatore Jerbasi, even though he passed away when I was 17, was instrumental in directing me into the field of law and justice.

Montclair411: What were some of the biggest challenges people have in dealing with legal issues in the state of New Jersey?

Bonnie's Answer: I believe that individuals in New Jersey have a hard time finding quality legal services at affordable prices. I have seen firsthand how some people have been charged exorbitant legal fees with very little return. Lawyers charge on an hourly basis and if the lawyer is not efficient the charges can be ridiculously high. That is why I offer some of my services at a set fee rather than an hourly fee.

Interview with Bonnie Jerbasi Conclusion

The same goes for businesses that need to use lawyers. Many times clients will come to me after representing themselves in contract negotiations when “things go south.” I am retained to undo the damage that was done by entering business relationships without benefit of legal counsel.

In these cases, had the clients retained a lawyer in the first place the conflict would most likely have been avoided. Once things go wrong, it can be expensive trying to deal with the situation.

Montclair411: How would you suggest that people do to best overcome these challenges?

Bonnie's Answer: If in doubt about a legal situation, hire a lawyer. In other words, if you are signing legal documents or entering into a partnership or even just preparing your Last Will and Testament, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Clients will save money by consulting a lawyer early in these processes rather than after things go wrong.

Likewise, even simple matters such as Estate planning and health care preferences can be handled by lawyers for a relatively small fee at the outset. I have seen so many families torn apart because someone passed away without a Will or was incapacitated in the hospital without their loved ones knowing what their preferences are contributing to the heartache and suffering of the family. All of this can be avoided with a quick trip to a lawyer.

Montclair411: What are some of the greatest lessons you learned in settling divorce and family law issues in New Jersey?

Bonnie's Answer: Great question! I wish I could tell each and every person involved in a divorce or family law dispute the following: “A case settled is a case won!”

While I am aware that divorce and family issues are strife with emotion, heartache and pain, I always tell my clients to put aside some of their feelings and deal with the issues logically and cooperatively. The last thing anyone wants is to have a third party (a Judge or arbitrator) decide family issues.

The parties are in the best position to plan for the future of their (now separate) family life and should make every effort to do exactly that. This is one reason I firmly believe in collaborative family law or the use of a Mediator trained and experienced in this area of the law.

Montclair411: I notice you are a family law mediator. Can you tell us what exactly that is?

Bonnie's Answer: As a specially trained Court Approved R. 1:40 Family Law Mediator, I can assist divorcing couples and civil union partners decide what process suits them best. The choices include divorce mediation, collaborative divorce or contested divorce. I am a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP).

I am qualified to represent an individual or couple in any of these processes. In addition, I make House Calls and will meet clients at their homes, offices or other convenient location.

Montclair411: What are the advantages to Divorce Mediation?

Bonnie's Answer: Mediation is cost effective as the parties control the costs. It is also efficient, confidential and self-determining, which means that the parties direct the process and make arrangements that best suit the family’s needs.

Best of all Mediation allows parents to decide what is best for the children. Together, arrangements for child custody, child support if needed, and a parenting plan are set forth, keeping the best interests of the children in mind.

Montclair411: How exactly can your skills as a Divorce Mediator help a person trying to navigate New Jersey's Family Court System or Divorce system?

Bonnie's Answer: As a Mediator I can take the case out of the system to allow the parties to work together through the issues. I can be appointed by the Family Law Judge or chosen by the parties before they even file a Complaint in the Court system. It is actually beneficial for the parties to consult a Mediator before entering the Court system since they will not be under the Court’s time constraints.

However, involving a Mediator at any point in the process is beneficial as it allows the parties the freedom to make their own choices.

Conclusion of Bonnie's Interview in the right column --->

Montclair411: How did you come with the unique concept of attorneys making house calls?

Bonnie's Answer: It literally popped into my head one day as I was trying to find a way to attract new clients. I had worked for law firms for many years and I was aware of the competition in New Jersey. There are just too many lawyers in this State and new law school graduates flooding the market each year.

I researched the Internet to see if anyone was offering house calls in the Tri-State area and was surprised to learn that no one offered that service. There have always been personal injury attorneys who would go to hospitals to meet with injured clients, but I didn’t come across any general practitioners offering house calls.

I grabbed the domain names and set up my website “House Call Attorneys.”

Montclair411: How does the House Call Service work?

Bonnie's Answer: I meet with new and existing clients at a location that is convenient for the client. It can be their home, a nursing home, hospital, office or even a Starbucks or local diner.

Before the first consultation, I will talk to the client to find out what legal services they need. I go to the first meeting prepared with as much information and documentation as possible in order to be efficient and keep costs for the client down.

For example, if someone wants a Will prepared, I will get the information before the consultation so I can bring the questionnaire or appropriate paperwork to them on the first visit. Sometimes one “house call” is all it takes to serve the client.

This approach saves time and money for the client.

I offer the same service to business clients. I offer “in house” counsel services to some businesses. An attorney will go once or twice a month to the business to deal with legal issues and charge a fixed rate to these clients. It saves them time and money and they can count on quality legal advice on a fixed schedule.

Montclair411: What are your top suggestions for people looking to settle a divorce or
family law issue amicably?

Bonnie's Answer: As I stated before, clients need to put aside emotions and focus on the reformulated family situation. It is far better for the parties to resolve their own issues rather than having expensive, drawn-out litigation that ends up with a stranger making key decisions about the family’s future.

It is not necessary to spend your children’s college education funds on lawyers to fight over family law issues. I know some people who have spent tens of thousands of dollars arguing over minor matters just to get the satisfaction of “beating” the soon-to-be ex-spouse.

Believe me these “victories” are not worth the fight.

Montclair411: Bonnie are there any organizations you would suggest that people going through divorce or family law matters should consider joining or seeking out?

Bonnie's Answer: I would suggest consulting with a collaborative lawyer or Family Law Mediator before filing any Court documents. This saves time and money and a lot of heartache.

Montclair411: Can you tell us your website's domain addresses and contact information?

Bonnie's Answer: I have two websites:

www.HouseCallAttorneys.com and...

www.JerseyDivorceMediator.com

My office is: 26 Park St., Suite 2004, Montclair, NJ 07042

Phone: (973) 509-4644 and Fax: (877) 296-3322

Email: bonnie@housecallattorneys.com

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AdPro Media Sales Properties, Montclair 411.com located 26 Park Street, Suite 2051 in the TechnoPulp Building, Montclair, New Jersey, 07042. Call 1-973-298-6148. Featuring Divorce and Family Law Tips of Attorney Bonnie Jerbasi, Esq. located in Montclair New Jersey.