- Divorce"I hired Dori-Ellen for a highly contested divorce and custody trial in Middletown, CT. The other party in the case was seeking to gain 100% custody. There was a real risk that I could lose custody of my children. With Dori-Ellen I was able to get joint legal custody. Dori-Ellen is smart, intelligent, creative, aggressive, knowledgeable and experienced. She is a winner!"
- Child Support"I retained Dori-Ellen when I was served custody and child support motions for my 6 year old daughter. She understands parental rights and is extremely experienced. She was very realistic up front and helped me understand the court process and what to expect. She was always accessible. In the end, she won our case and achieved more than I had expected. I can't thank her enough for her hard work and dedication to my daughter. Thank you, DE."
- Child Custody and VisitationResolving child custody and visitation matters can be sensitive and emotional. I work closely with my clients in developing a negotiated parenting plan that is in the best interest of their children or, if necessary, working closely with my clients in preparing the strongest case for a positive resolution in Court.
- Adoption
- Premarital AgreementConnecticut does not recognize “separate property” claims by a spouse with respect to property either brought into the marriage or inherited during the marriage. A skillfully drafted prenuptial agreement can address this issue prior to a marriage. Additionally, the Court may take into consideration whether an asset was brought into the marriage or inherited by a spouse in determining how and to what extent it will be distributed as marital property in a divorce.
- Spousal Support"Dori-Ellen Feltman is an incredible attorney. She represented me brilliantly in my application for a modification of a spousal support order. My financial circumstances had changed from the time of the original divorce and she successfully reduced my alimony obligation by 90%. The judge even commented on the preparation and organization of her filings and arguments. If you want outstanding representation while dealing with a caring compassionate attorney, Dori-Ellen is the way to go."
- Child AbuseD. v D. (Stamford Superior Court, July 2014). Successfully prosecuted and secured a civil protective order issued against the Husband following demonstrated evidence of domestic violence and child neglect.
- Sex Crimes• “(4) ‘[A]bused means that a child or youth (A) has been inflicted with physical injury or injuries other than by accidental means, or (B) has injuries that are at variance with the history given of them, or (C) is in a condition that is the result of maltreatment such as, but not limited to, malnutrition, sexual molestation or exploitation, deprivation of necessities, emotional maltreatment or cruel punishment...(7) a child or youth may be found ‘dependent’ whose home is an unsuitable one for the child or youth, save for the financial inability of parent, guardian or other person maintaining such home, to provide the specialized care the condition of the child or youth requires...(9) a child or youth may be found ‘neglected’ who (A) has been abandoned, or (B) is being denied proper care and attention, physically, educationally, emotionally or morally, or (C) is being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances, or associations injuries to the well-being of the child or youth, or (D) has been abused; (10) a child or youth may be found ‘uncared for’ who is homeless or whose home cannot provide the specialized care that the physical, emotional or mental condition of the child requires...”
- Restraining OrderRelief from Abuse is a type of domestic restraining order designed to protect those in immediate danger of physical harm. The application, which consists of two forms (Application for Relief from Abuse form JD-FM-137) and an Affidavit (JD-FM-138 is personally filed with the Court clerk, following which the Court may award temporary, emergency “ex parte” relief, or deny the emergency relief but schedule a hearing on the allegations raised in the application within two weeks. The Court can grant wide ranging relief both on an emergency basis or after a hearing, including sole custody of a child, a full or partial no-contact order, and an order giving sole occupancy of the family residence to the applicant.
- Estate PlanningA pre-marital or prenuptial agreement is a written agreement entered into by two people who are intending to marry. It may include provisions such as how marital assets are to be distributed in the event of death or a divorce, and it could set limits on the amount of alimony paid by one spouse to the other in the event of a divorce. A prenuptial agreement is often contemplated where the parties marry at later ages and have already accumulated significant personal assets, and in second marriages where there are estate planning issues including children from a prior marriage. A prenuptial agreement can be an effective tool in protecting your assets, income and your children upon entering a marriage.
- TrustsMarital property in a Connecticut divorce includes all assets brought into the marriage, accumulated during the marriage, inherited during the marriage, and interests in other assets in which a party has an interest such as an irrevocable trust, a business or partnership, or a deferred compensation plan.