Law Office of Geraldene Sherr Duswalt

Law Office of Geraldene Sherr Duswalt

34 Years Helping People with Compassion and Integrity

This lawyer is licensed to practice in New Jersey and has no record of discipline from the New Jersey bar association. *

Law Office of Geraldene Sherr Duswalt

Law Office of Geraldene Sherr Duswalt

34 Years Helping People with Compassion and Integrity

This lawyer is licensed to practice in New Jersey and has no record of discipline from the New Jersey bar association. *

Firm Overview

The focus of my firm is helping people to go on with their lives. My practice is primarily in the areas of Family Law, Matrimonial Law, Mediation, Bankruptcy, Debtor and Consumer Collection. I strive to provide effective and aggressive representation while keeping fees low and obtaining the best possible results for my clients. I provide personal and responsive service and focus on effective communication with my clients to minimize fees and maximize results. I specialize in a variety of services so that I can address numerous legal issues for each client. I have extensive expertise in each of the areas of my practice. I provide zealous and aggressive representation with dignity, compassion and integrity.

Main Office

Main
1812 Front Street
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Phone

(908) 322-5160

Fax

(908) 654-3970

Fees
Free Initial Consultation?

I offer a free initial telephone call and a free one half hour consultation for Nolo clients.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Some services are price fixed, such as Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and some are hourly, depending upon the individual situation.

Hourly Rates

Depends upon the case and the individual situation of the client. My fees are reasonable and I strive to keep my billing low and the quality of the work high. I will fashion payment options that work for each person within their budget and lifestyle.

Office Information
Office Hours

Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with evening and weekend appointments available

Office Manager

Yes, there are two receptionists that can help assist callers.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Languages Spoken

No

Child Custody

Child Support

Divorce

Is your firm willing to help a client with one discrete part of a case, without taking on the whole case?

There are times when it is appropriate or advisable to take on only part of a case and I will always evaluate each situation. I will try to formulate a plan that works best under the circumstances.

What are your policies about dividing work within the firm to make the process most cost-effective for the client?

I will handle all the legal aspects of every case. I attend all of the court appearances and conferences. I will never send another attorney to meet a client in court or cover a case and a client will never have to deal with another attorney that is not familiar with their case. I never bill a client for secretarial or paralegal work that does need to be performed by an attorney.

How frequently does your firm use mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law to resolve cases?

I am an ardent proponent of alternate dispute resolution as a way to settle cases cost effectively and in a way the empowers the client to fashion a remedy best suited to their needs. I will evaluate every case to determine if alternate dispute resolution is best suited to their case. I am a trained matrimonial mediator and can provide mediation services to couples seeking to avoid costly litigation.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

I have dedicated the past 23 years to helping people rebuild and take control of their lives. I have low overhead which I pass on to the clients so that my fees are low. I answer every call promptly, and attend to every aspect of your case. I encourage clients to call my cell phone or email my blackberry and I am available to my clients when they need me both during business hours and during evenings and weekends. I practice law with compassion, and honesty. My overriding concern is the wellbeing of my clients. I will work with people to come up with an individual plan for payment of fees that works within their budget. I recognize that each situation is different and I handle each case and every client on an individual basis with an individual plan for their legal matter and for payment of their legal fees.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

Communication between the lawyer and the client is of the utmost importance. The more educated a client is about the legal issues in their case, the better they can be at understanding the advice I give them. I encourage clients to be involved with every aspect of their case. However, there can be a lot of misleading or incorrect advice on the internet so that people should not rely upon information they read on-line or advice they receive from friends. I provide accurate sources of information when clients come to my office so that they can determine their legal rights based upon correct legal principals.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Yes, I am always willing to review any documents that a client has in their case.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

My goal is to help people through their legal difficulties in a way that makes sense in their individual circumstances and I recognize that some people cannot afford high fees. I will assist people on an individual basis to obtain the best possible outcome.

Law Office of Geraldene Sherr Duswalt
Geraldene Duswalt

I am a solo practitioner with an office in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and an office in New York City. I am also a qualified matrimonial mediator. I have been admitted to practice law since 1988 and have my current practice in New Jersey since 2006.

I will handle all the legal aspects of every case. I attend all of the court appearances and conferences. I will never send another attorney to meet a client in court or cover a case and a client will never have to deal with another attorney that is not familiar with their case. I never bill a client for secretarial or paralegal work that does need to be performed by an attorney.

License

Bar Number:
New Jersey, 2011

Law Office of Geraldene Sherr Duswalt
Geraldene Duswalt

I am a solo practitioner with an office in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and an office in New York City. I am also a qualified matrimonial mediator. I have been admitted to practice law since 1988 and have my current practice in New Jersey since 2006.

I will handle all the legal aspects of every case. I attend all of the court appearances and conferences. I will never send another attorney to meet a client in court or cover a case and a client will never have to deal with another attorney that is not familiar with their case. I never bill a client for secretarial or paralegal work that does need to be performed by an attorney.

License

Bar Number:
New Jersey, 2011

Firm Overview

The focus of my firm is helping people to go on with their lives. My practice is primarily in the areas of Family Law, Matrimonial Law, Mediation, Bankruptcy, Debtor and Consumer Collection. I strive to provide effective and aggressive representation while keeping fees low and obtaining the best possible results for my clients. I provide personal and responsive service and focus on effective communication with my clients to minimize fees and maximize results. I specialize in a variety of services so that I can address numerous legal issues for each client. I have extensive expertise in each of the areas of my practice. I provide zealous and aggressive representation with dignity, compassion and integrity.

Main Office

Main
1812 Front Street
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Phone

(908) 322-5160

Fax

(908) 654-3970

Fees
Free Initial Consultation?

I offer a free initial telephone call and a free one half hour consultation for Nolo clients.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Some services are price fixed, such as Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and some are hourly, depending upon the individual situation.

Hourly Rates

Depends upon the case and the individual situation of the client. My fees are reasonable and I strive to keep my billing low and the quality of the work high. I will fashion payment options that work for each person within their budget and lifestyle.

Office Information
Office Hours

Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with evening and weekend appointments available

Office Manager

Yes, there are two receptionists that can help assist callers.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Languages Spoken

No

Child Custody

Child Support

Divorce

Is your firm willing to help a client with one discrete part of a case, without taking on the whole case?

There are times when it is appropriate or advisable to take on only part of a case and I will always evaluate each situation. I will try to formulate a plan that works best under the circumstances.

What are your policies about dividing work within the firm to make the process most cost-effective for the client?

I will handle all the legal aspects of every case. I attend all of the court appearances and conferences. I will never send another attorney to meet a client in court or cover a case and a client will never have to deal with another attorney that is not familiar with their case. I never bill a client for secretarial or paralegal work that does need to be performed by an attorney.

How frequently does your firm use mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law to resolve cases?

I am an ardent proponent of alternate dispute resolution as a way to settle cases cost effectively and in a way the empowers the client to fashion a remedy best suited to their needs. I will evaluate every case to determine if alternate dispute resolution is best suited to their case. I am a trained matrimonial mediator and can provide mediation services to couples seeking to avoid costly litigation.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

I have dedicated the past 23 years to helping people rebuild and take control of their lives. I have low overhead which I pass on to the clients so that my fees are low. I answer every call promptly, and attend to every aspect of your case. I encourage clients to call my cell phone or email my blackberry and I am available to my clients when they need me both during business hours and during evenings and weekends. I practice law with compassion, and honesty. My overriding concern is the wellbeing of my clients. I will work with people to come up with an individual plan for payment of fees that works within their budget. I recognize that each situation is different and I handle each case and every client on an individual basis with an individual plan for their legal matter and for payment of their legal fees.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

Communication between the lawyer and the client is of the utmost importance. The more educated a client is about the legal issues in their case, the better they can be at understanding the advice I give them. I encourage clients to be involved with every aspect of their case. However, there can be a lot of misleading or incorrect advice on the internet so that people should not rely upon information they read on-line or advice they receive from friends. I provide accurate sources of information when clients come to my office so that they can determine their legal rights based upon correct legal principals.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Yes, I am always willing to review any documents that a client has in their case.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

My goal is to help people through their legal difficulties in a way that makes sense in their individual circumstances and I recognize that some people cannot afford high fees. I will assist people on an individual basis to obtain the best possible outcome.

Law Office of Geraldene Sherr Duswalt
Geraldene Duswalt

I am a solo practitioner with an office in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and an office in New York City. I am also a qualified matrimonial mediator. I have been admitted to practice law since 1988 and have my current practice in New Jersey since 2006.

I will handle all the legal aspects of every case. I attend all of the court appearances and conferences. I will never send another attorney to meet a client in court or cover a case and a client will never have to deal with another attorney that is not familiar with their case. I never bill a client for secretarial or paralegal work that does need to be performed by an attorney.

License

Bar Number:
New Jersey, 2011

Law Office of Geraldene Sherr Duswalt
Geraldene Duswalt

I am a solo practitioner with an office in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and an office in New York City. I am also a qualified matrimonial mediator. I have been admitted to practice law since 1988 and have my current practice in New Jersey since 2006.

I will handle all the legal aspects of every case. I attend all of the court appearances and conferences. I will never send another attorney to meet a client in court or cover a case and a client will never have to deal with another attorney that is not familiar with their case. I never bill a client for secretarial or paralegal work that does need to be performed by an attorney.

License

Bar Number:
New Jersey, 2011

This lawyer is licensed to practice in New Jersey and has no record of discipline from the New Jersey bar association. *

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.

This lawyer is licensed to practice in New Jersey and has no record of discipline from the New Jersey bar association. *

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.