Best Divorce Lawyers in Albany ny
Kevin M. Colwell
Divorce Lawyers
Albany Divorce Attorney Kevin M. Colwell is a founding partner of The Colwell Law Group, LLC, which has law offices in Albany and Saratoga Springs, New York. Nationally ranked as among the top attorneys in the country, Mr. Colwell focuses his practice almost exclusively on divorce and family law. He provides unmatched representation and support to clients throughout the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, and surrounding areas who have legal needs involving any of the following:
- Divorce
- Separation and annulments
- Child custody
- Paternity
- Stepparent adoptions
- Interstate child support and custody issues
In honor of his outstanding professionalism and superior client service, Mr. Colwell was selected as a Super Lawyer in 2020. He has earned an AV Preeminent peer review rating* from Martindale-Hubbell as well as a Top 100 designation from The National Advocates. In addition, he has received “Superb, 10 out of 10 client” ratings on Avvo as a Top Divorce Attorney, and he has received the 10 Best in Client Satisfaction Award from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.
Mr. Colwell’s success as an Albany Divorce Attorney comes from his extensive legal knowledge and experience coupled with his unwavering dedication to his clients and helping them achieve the favorable outcomes they expect and deserve for their serious family-related legal issues as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. He works closely with his clients to help them make the best-informed decisions on matters that will affect them and their children for years to come. He aggressively pursues the positive results they seek both inside and outside the courtroom.
A graduate of SUNY Geneseo, Mr. Colwell obtained his Juris Doctor in 1997 from the University of Dayton School of Law. The New York State Bar Association admitted him to practice the following year, and he is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Early in his legal career, Mr. Colwell served as assistant public defender with the Columbia County Public Defender’s Office, where he gained invaluable trial experience. Along with maintaining a successful legal practice, he enjoys camping, hiking and skiing with his family and two dogs (Elvis and Lucy).
Jo Ann E. Coughtry
Divorce Lawyers
Jo Ann is a highly rated divorce attorney with over 30 years of experience successfully representing clients exclusively in matters of Matrimonial and Family Law in New York.
Whether your case is complex, contested or uncontested, Jo Ann E. Coughtry has the experience to counsel you properly and advise of the best approach to accomplish your goals. You as a client deserve, expect and are entitled to attentive, competent, zealous representation regardless of the level of complexity of your case. Jo Ann strives to be the divorce attorney you are looking for near you in New York.
Jo Ann received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the Russell Sage College (Troy, NY) in 1987 and attended and graduated from Albany Law School (New York) with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1991. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association. She also served as an Assistant Public Defender for Albany County for over 30 years providing services to the indigent accused of a crime.
Not Every Case Requires a Courtroom
Jo Ann E. Coughtry is recognized for handling complex and contentious family law disputes in matters pertaining to divorce, custody, complex division of assets, child and spousal support. She is highly regarded of her knowledge of divorce law. She is an experienced litigator and has negotiated countless divorce and family law matters, and is known for her ability to get results for her clients while maintaining the sanctity and privacy of the family.
Ms. Coughtry’s primary goal is to assist her clients in resolving difficult divorce and family matters and helping move forward with their lives in a dignified and a respectful manner. Ms. Coughtry recognizes that some cases can be resolved through negotiations. She approaches her cases as warranted by the particular circumstances of the clients individual needs.
Lorraine R. Silverman
Divorce Lawyers
Lorraine R. Silverman is a Partner with Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC. She practices exclusively in the field of New York Divorce and New York Family Law and represents individuals in the negotiation and litigation of all New York family law matters, including, but not limited to New York divorce, New York child custody, New York child support, New York spousal support, New York domestic violence (New York Family Court Orders of Protection) matters, New York intimate partner companion animal (“pet”) custody disputes, and New York prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She has extensive experience representing clients in both Supreme and Family Court. As part of her practice, Attorney Lorraine Silverman also serves as an Attorney for Children in Albany County. Attorney Lorraine Silverman was selected as a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine for 2016 – Present.
Attorney Lorraine Silverman has also lectured for Certified Legal Education (CLE) programs sponsored by the Appellate Division Third Judicial Department’s Office of Attorneys for Children, the New York State Bar Association, the Albany County Bar Association, the Empire Justice Center, and The Legal Project. Attorney Lorraine Silverman has also provided educational trainings for the community on various topics related to New York divorce and family law.
Attorney Lorraine Silverman also serves her community politically. In 2018, she was elected by the Albany County Democratic Committee to serve on the Executive Board as Treasurer, she served as a Bethlehem Democratic Committee Person from 2017 to February 2022. In 2018, she served as Treasurer for a successful Democratic New York State Supreme Court Judicial Candidate. She served as Chair of the Albany County Democratic Committee’s 2018 Law Committee, and as Co-Chair of the 2021 Law Committee. She also served as Secretary for the 2018 and 2021 New York Third Judicial District Convention of the Democratic Party.
Attorney Lorraine Silverman graduated cum laude from Ithaca College. She then went on to receive her J.D. degree with a concentration in family and elder law from Albany Law School, where she received the Martin H. Belsky Graduation Prize for Commitment to Public Interest.
Joanne P. Monagan
Divorce Lawyers
I am an experienced divorce and family law attorney with three decades of practice representing clients in all aspects of matrimonial law. Client advocacy, protecting the rights and promoting the interests of adults and children that I represent, is my highest priority.
My experience includes all aspects of matrimonial law, including divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, equitable distribution of assets, mothers’ rights, fathers’ rights, adoption, domestic violence, and all related family law issues. I have had extensive trial experience, and have resolved hundreds of cases amicably, without litigation.
I have also been a Law Guardian representing children in custody, juvenile delinquency, PINS, and in child abuse and neglect circumstances. I have recently served as staff attorney for the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, focusing on child abuse and maltreatment accusations.
In addition to private practice, I served 10 years as Principal Court Attorney for a Family Court judge who also served as acting justice of the NYS Supreme Court. This decade of Court Attorney experience has enabled me to better understand the judicial perspective which has often been advantageous in seeking solutions to the unique circumstances of clients involved in complex family law issues. Above all, I am committed to client advocacy, protecting the rights and promoting the interests of adults and children that I represent.
Education
- Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New York
- J.D.
- Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York
- B.S.
Bar Admissions
- New York, 1990
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
Professional Associations
- New York State Bar Association, Member, 1989 to Present
- Rensselaer County Bar Association , Member, 1989 to Present
Charles T. Kriss
Divorce Lawyers
Albany law firm partner Charles T. Kriss, Esq. is an attorney committed to professional excellence and integrity in providing legal solutions that serve the best interest of his clients.
A New York State native, Charles has been practicing law in NY for over 40 years. He has chosen to focus his practice on matrimonial, family and bankruptcy matters because helping people through extremely challenging circumstances is very personally gratifying. He seeks to come alongside clients in an empathetic way, always seeking to treat clients in the same way he would like to be treated, as if he were a client.
He offers sound legal advice, a compassionate ear and attentive legal representation to achieve desired legal outcomes as your:
Matrimonial, Family Law and Child Custody Attorney
Albany Bankruptcy Attorney
General Legal Counsel
Adoption Legal Counselor
Church Law Attorney
Real Estate Lawyer
Civil Litigation and General Law Attorney
Request a Free Legal Case Evaluation with Charles T. Kriss, Esq.
Your initial telephone consultation is free.
April M. Dalbec
Divorce Lawyers
April Dalbec is a skilled litigator and trial attorney who is the Co-Chair of the Firm’s Matrimonial and Family Law practice group. She is also a member of the Firm’s Litigation practice group. Ms. Dalbec has over twenty years of litigation and trial experience in both civil and criminal matters. Her practice primarily focuses on matrimonial law (prenuptial agreements, divorce actions, post-nuptial and separation agreements, hearings and trials), and family court matters (custody, family offenses, domestic violence and child support). Ms. Dalbec continues to practice in the area of plaintiff’s personal injury matters.
April joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna in 2020. Prior to joining the Firm, she was with McNamee Lochner P.C., in the matrimonial and litigation departments for 10 years.
- Successful resolution of many matrimonial cases prior to trial with very beneficial outcomes for clients.
- Fully litigated a custody trial gaining the client sole legal and physical custody of her children.
- Won significant grandparent visitation rights for grandparents settling the matter after a day of presenting favorable evidence at trial.
- Successfully litigated and settled a plaintiff’s class action data breach matter for $2.7 Million.
- Won relocation rights for a mom to move with her children to another state after a full custody trial.
- Represented Senator Joseph Bruno in an extensive white collar federal criminal trial.
- Represented Plaintiffs in many successful catastrophic personal injury matters, including multi-party, class actions, and complex personal injury and products liability matters.
- Guest lectured regarding Plaintiff’s personal injury matters at Albany Law School.
- Guest lectured at Bryant & Stratton regarding criminal defense.
BARRETT D. MACK
Divorce Lawyers
Barrett D. Mack is the founder of Mack & Associates, PLLC. His practice exclusively concentrates in the areas of matrimonial and family law.
Barrett regularly handles any type of domestic matter including complicated divorce actions involving the valuation and distribution of assets, child custody litigation, and support issues. He practices in Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie and Sullivan counties.
Barrett is committed to giving back to the community by offering pro-bono representation for the Capital District Women’s Bar Association Legal Project, representing victims of domestic violence in Family Court, for which he received the 2006 Brigid Nolan Memorial Award from the Legal Project, the 2008 Pro Bono Award from the CDW-BA, and the 2014 Swyer Companies Leadership Award. Barrett was selected as a Super Lawyer for 2017 and 2018.
Barrett served the County of Columbia as an Assistant County Attorney for 8 years.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Albany, NY, can offer numerous benefits to individuals going through the process of divorce. Here are some potential advantages:
Expertise and Experience: The best divorce lawyers typically have extensive experience in family law and divorce cases. They understand the legal intricacies, procedures, and potential challenges involved in divorce proceedings.
Legal Strategy: A skilled divorce lawyer can develop a comprehensive legal strategy tailored to your specific situation. They can analyze your case, identify strengths and weaknesses, and work to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Negotiation Skills: Divorce often involves negotiations regarding property division, child custody, alimony, and other matters. A top divorce lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to secure favorable terms, ensuring your interests are protected.
Emotional Support: Divorce can be emotionally taxing. The best divorce lawyers not only provide legal guidance but also offer emotional support and empathy, helping you navigate the process with less stress.
Objective Advice: Divorce can cloud judgment due to emotional involvement. A skilled lawyer can offer objective advice, helping you make informed decisions that are in your best long-term interests.
Faster Resolution: Experienced lawyers can streamline the divorce process by efficiently handling paperwork, filings, and court appearances. This can lead to a faster resolution and reduce the time and stress associated with a lengthy legal battle.
Access to Resources: Top divorce lawyers often have access to a network of professionals, including financial experts, forensic accountants, and child psychologists. These resources can provide valuable insights and evidence to support your case.
Legal Documentation: Divorce involves a substantial amount of paperwork. A skilled lawyer can ensure that all legal documents are accurately prepared and filed, preventing costly errors or delays.
Custody and Support Issues: If child custody and support are involved, having a knowledgeable lawyer can help ensure that the best interests of the children are taken into account and that appropriate arrangements are made.
Fair Settlement: A skilled lawyer can help you achieve a fair and equitable settlement, ensuring that your rights and interests are protected, especially in matters of property division and financial support.
Complex Cases: In cases involving high net worth, complex financial assets, or other complicated matters, the expertise of a top divorce lawyer becomes crucial in ensuring fair outcomes.
Litigation Experience: While many divorces are settled outside of court, having a lawyer with strong litigation skills is beneficial if your case does go to court. Their courtroom experience can be an asset in presenting your case effectively.
Remember that the specific benefits you receive will depend on the quality and expertise of the lawyer you choose. It’s essential to research and meet with potential lawyers to find one who aligns with your goals and makes you feel confident in their ability to handle your case effectively.