Family Law

We are interested in complex and challenging litigation matters.

Family Law

• Name Changes
• Restraining Orders
• Enforcement Actions

Abuse

• Child Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Elder Abuse
• Sexual Abuse

Children

• Adoptions
• Child Support
• Children's Rights
• Custody
• Foster Care
• Paternity
• State Child Protection
• Visitation

Couples

• Civil Unions
• Marriage
• Power of Attorney
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Education & Schools

• Colleges & Universities
• Individualized Education Plans
• Private Schools
• Public Schools
• Student Rights
• Teacher Abuse
• Title IX
• Trade & Technical Schools
• Special Education

Elder Law

• Age Discrimination
• Competency Hearings
• Guardianships & Conservatorships
• Long-Term Care
• Nursing Homes
• Powers of Attorney
• Medicaid & Medicare Planning
• Advanced Health Care Directive
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• Healthcare Proxy
• Tax Planning
• Nursing Home Negligence

Rights

• Grandparent Rights

Divorce

We are interested in complex and challenging litigation matters.

Divorce

• Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
• Annulment
• Child Support
• Custody/Visitation Rights
• Delinquent Support Payments
• Division of Property
• Restraining Orders
• Uncontested Divorce

NH, Oct 2003
Bar Number: 15562

New Hampshire Board Certified Guardian ad Litem.

All New Hampshire State Courts, the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

The New Hampshire Bar Association (Family Law Section; Elder Law, Estate Planning, & Probate Section; Children and the Law Section); the American Bar Association (Litigation and Real Property, Trust, and Estate Law Section).

I attend continuing legal education seminars on Family Law, Probate Law, Litigation, Criminal Law, and other related areas. I also teach continuing legal education seminars on a variety of areas.

While a student, I worked as a Research Assistant for Dean Keith E. Sealing; my assistance culminated in the following articles: "PELIGRO! Failure to Warn of a Product's Inherit Risk in Spanish should Constitute a Product Defect, Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review" (Fall 2001); "Teaching Fundamental Learning Techniques with Moore v. Regents of the University of California," St. Louis University Law Journal (Summer 2002); and 'State Sponsors of Terrorism' Is a Question, Not an Answer: The Terrorism Amendment to the FSIA Makes Less Sense Now Than it Did Before 9/11 Texas International Law Journal (Winter 2003). Attorney Bernson has answered legal questions posed by local citizens in the Bar Association's column A Question of Law, which has been featured in the Concord Monitor and the New Hampshire Union Leader. My most recent article is "Employers Do Have a Role in Helping to Keep Workers Safe," featured in the Concord Monitor (October 31, 2004). Additionally, I have been featured in local articles about pressing consumer issues, including pursuing damages against inept and unethical building contractors. These articles include "Regulating Builders: Rising Complaints Spark Efforts to Protect Homeowners" and "Beware of a Contractor's Uncommonly Low Price, both featured in Foster's Sunday Citizen" (January 23, 2005).

As a trial attorney, I concentrate my practice in probate litigation, which includes guardianships, termination of parental rights, powers of attorney disputes, trust disputes; family law, which includes divorce, child custody, abuse and neglect, and child support matters; criminal defense, both felony and misdemeanor offenses, with an emphasis in juvenile matters; and general litigation matters, including landlord/tenant disputes, contract matters, among others.

3

New Hampshire

In 2008, Attorney Bernson, with her business partner, Stephanie K. Burnham Esq., formed Bernson & Burnham, PLLC, combining their areas of expertise of litigation, estate planning and wealth preservation, and small business representation. Thanks to a small elite staff, and dedication, your calls are returned promptly. Helping you obtain your goals is the only concern.

Bernson & Burnham, PLLC is located on the beautiful seacoast of Dover, NH, and also in the vibrant city of Manchester, NH. We pride ourselves on our no-nonsense representation of client interests. Aggressively seeking the best possible outcome for a client is at the heart of our practice. We strive to find unique and creative strategies to solving clients' legal dilemmas and look at the law differently.

Bernson & Burnham, PLLC is dedicated to providing competent and aggressive representation in the following legal areas: probate litigation including guardianships, termination of parental rights, powers of attorney disputes, trust disputes; family law including divorce, child custody, abuse and neglect, and child support matters; criminal defense, both felony and misdemeanor offenses; general litigation matters; small business assistance including formation, contract review and preparation, and collection matters; real estate including condominium conversions, assistance with subdivisions and condominiums, attorney general filings, purchase and sale agreements and title searches; and Bankruptcy assistance. We also offer wills, trusts and estate planning and wealth preservation assistance for people of all walks of life.

I formed Bernson Law Office in 2004 after practicing for a small conservative law firm on the seacoast. In 2006, Bernson Law Office became Bernson Legal and Guardian ad Litem Services, PLLC to more accurately represent the work that Attorney Bernson does. My legal work experience includes clerking for Northern District of New York (Syracuse) Judge Norman A. Mordue and New York State Supreme Court Justice, John J. Brunetti, for a law clerk for the New York State Attorney General's Civil Litigation office, working in the area of the New York State Unified Court System Appellate Division, providing legal representation to clients who are in-patient at psychiatric institutions.

I am a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association's Ethics Committee, which drafts Rules of Professional Conduct for all New Hampshire lawyers and issues advisory opinions on ethical issues submitted for review by local practitioners. I am a member of the New Hampshire Bar New Editorial Board, a publication of the New Hampshire Bar Association. I am also a member of the Court Improvement Project's committee on representing parents.

I regularly participate in activities which introduce the legal system to NH's youth. For two years, I have served as a judge at both the local and state level for the annual We the People competition, hosted by the Law Related Education Program of the New Hampshire Bar Association. Additionally, I have been a judge in the Annual State Mock Trial competition, which is also sponsored by the NHBA. I am presently the Assistant Head Coach for the University of New Hampshire's Mock Trial Team.

(603) 516-2424

Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Yes

No.

Flat fees are available for certain types of cases and are determined after consulting an attorney.

Fees are determined based on a variety of different factors. In these difficult economic times, Bernson & Burnham, PLLC recognizes that individuals and families are struggling to make ends meet. Because of our impassioned belief that everyone should have access to an attorney and competent legal advice, we now provide reduced fee legal services to new clients who have some ability to pay, but cannot afford full rates. Our three tiers of rates are based on income, and they are available for many types of legal matters. To be considered for this unique program, please complete the form located on our website. A member of our staff will contact you to discuss your eligibility.

30 minute consultations are provided at an hourly rate, based on eligibility. If the client retains the attorney, the consultation fee is waived.

Retainers are determined on a case by case situation, after evaluating the facts and circumstances, and the representation to be undertaken.