Their eyes meet and the attraction is undeniable. Perhaps it happens while she’s running in the park and he’s walking the dog. After a brief chat, they plan a date that becomes the springboard to a blossoming relationship.
They marry and pledge their love forever. They buy a home, have children and purchase that vacation house and boat they’ve always wanted.
But then something happens. For any number of reasons, the threads of their partnership fray. Love and respect turn to anger and hate. Forever, it turns out, was merely a word spoken on their wedding day.
Now they each need a lawyer.
Divorce is one of the top four most stressful situations in a person’s life. It affects people emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. Individuals going through a separation or divorce want trusted advisors who will help guide them through the uncharted waters and steer them in the right direction. That’s why so many people in Bucks County turn to the attorneys of Williams & Hand P.C.
“People getting divorced come to us because we have dedicated lawyers who eat, live and breathe family law,” says attorney Kevin L. Hand. “Our clients understand that we are compassionate and will help them. They know that other matrimonial attorneys consult us, ask us about procedures and that we’re familiar with the judges, the masters and the process. We are exceptional at what we do because we work hard at it and care about our clients.”
Founded in 2004 by Jeffrey M. Williams, the boutique firm represents clients in all aspects of family law in Bucks and Montgomery counties. Williams has been named among the Best Lawyers in America by U.S. News and World Report, has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters every year since 2005, is the only Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers who practices in Bucks County, and has been selected by his peers as one of the Ten Leaders of Greater Philadelphia for Matrimonial and Divorce Law each year since 2004.
“I’ve been handling matrimonial work since 1984 and built the firm around four core principles—experienced guidance, compassionate advice, powerful advocacy and local knowledge,” says Williams. “We understand the sensitive nature of life-changing circumstances that arise when individuals are faced with divorce, support, custody and related matters.”
There is very little turnover of attorneys at the firm; they know each other well and work together using their specialized training for the best interests of their clients.
In fact, Jessica A. Pritchard, who has advanced training in parent coordination, has been with the firm since its inception and was named a partner last year. She works directly with parents to arbitrate ongoing child-related disputes either by private agreement or by court order. She serves to facilitate communication and decision making in order to diminish the need for court intervention.
Hillary J. Moonay is well versed in the financial aspects of divorce cases, including the intricate issues related to complex business valuations and forensic accounting matters. She is also trained in several areas of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and collaborative law.
Lynelle A. Gleason works closely with the firm’s divorce clients to resolve their matters while assisting with their wills, trusts and estate administration. She is also a member of the Attorney Psychologist Group, which meets regularly to discuss important child custody issues while aiming to effectively influence and improve child custody evaluation procedures.
Elizabeth J. Fineman has a strong tax background having earned her L.L.M. in taxation. Her advanced training in the tax arena serves as a valuable asset in the representation of clients, especially with regard to difficult financial issues.
While handling family law matters, Robert J. Salzer brings his experience as a former deputy district attorney for Bucks County to the team as a litigator and advocate on behalf of Williams & Hand clients.
As divorce attorneys, “our job is twofold,” Hand explains. “We must help manage client emotions that occur during the divorce process as well as get the best financial deal for them and their children.”
Williams & Hand offers services in all matters related to family law, including alimony and spousal support, child custody, child support, custody relocation, divorce, domestic partnerships and cohabitation agreements, equitable distribution, marital settlement and separation agreements, and matrimonial taxation. The attorneys also handle family law alternative dispute resolutions such as arbitration, collaborative law and mediation.
“People come in to see us all the time, worried because their wife or husband retained a big law firm in Philadelphia. We are as good as those lawyers,” Williams says. “And a benefit of our firm is that we know the predisposition of the local judges, either through the bar association or being around the county. Local knowledge, compassion, results and a solid reputation are why people come to us.”
Williams & Hand P.C.
43 N. Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
Office: 215-340-2207
Fax: 215-340-2208
E-mail: questions@bucksfamilylawyers.com
Website: www.bucksfamilylawyers.com
