An Ideal Approach to Family Law in Hackensack
Supporting Families in Bergen County Through Legal Challenges
Selecting the right counsel is an important decision can be the difference between a divorce that is contentious and spiritually, emotional, and financially exhausting, and one that it civil, expeditious and redemptive.
Five Key Principles for Effective Family Law Representation:
- *I*ntegrity
- *D*iplomacy
- *E*mpathy
- *A*dvocacy
- *L*egal Knowledge
Integrity: The Foundation of Our Practice
Our approach is simple: integrity in everything we do. Integrity in our billing. Integrity in the courtroom. Integrity in our assessment of the merits of your case.
Integrity goes beyond honesty. Integrity is about being honest when nobody is looking. Integrity is about being honest when it would be easier to be dishonest. You have enough going on in your life to have to worry about whether the counsel you look to for advice is being honest with you. Integrity serves as the foundation of Laterra & Hodge, LLC. Our Hackensack attorneys stake our reputation on every representation we make to you, the court, and our colleagues.
Diplomacy: A Crucial Trait for Divorce Attorneys
Diplomacy is one of the most important traits a divorce attorney can possess. Unfortunately it is also one of the most overlooked and misunderstood concepts. Most people look first and foremost for an aggressive attorney- often to the exclusion of any other trait. Diplomacy and aggression are not mutually exclusive. They are both important and necessary to effective advocacy, and are both traits.
The opposite of diplomacy is not advocacy; nor is the opposite of diplomacy aggression. The opposite of diplomacy is antagonism. Antagonism is poisonous to a divorce proceeding. It yields a breakdown in communication, enriched positioning, and finger pointing. The bigger picture gets lost in the minutia of fighting over silverware and lawnmowers, and the finish line gets further and further way.
The goal in every divorce case is to reach the finish line as quick as possible with results that will give peace of mind. At Laterra & Hodge, our Hackensack lawyers’ job is to keep you focused on the finish line, to encourage you to refrain from taking the bait of antagonistic adversaries, and to put forth our best efforts to deescalate the tension, while at the same time standing up for your rights.
Empathy: Understanding Your Painful Journey
Empathy is so important because diplomacy and integrity are so difficult. When you are tempted or frustrated, we are there to talk to. When you feel you cannot take any more, we are there to pick you up and help you move on. There are few ordeals as painful as a divorce or separation. The legal proceedings associated with the divorce process represent just one aspect of the painful process. The grief associated with losing a husband or wife is great. And then there is the fear and uncertainty of what the future holds.
In 2005, the New Jersey Supreme Court rendered an opinion in Mani v. Mani, 183 N.J. 70 (2005), that marital fault does not matter to the courts. Tell that to a wife whose husband has walked out after twenty years of marriage after cleaning out the parties’ bank accounts; or to a husband whose wife has filed for divorce and for permission to move with the children across the country because she wants to remarry the man who contributed to the dissolution of the marriage.
The day we look at our clients’ matters as nothing more than a series of transactions is the day we dissolve this firm and change our professions.
Advocacy: Your Voice in the Legal Process
You have a story that needs to be told. You have interests that need to be protected. You have opinions on what is fair and equitable, on what is in the best interest of your children.
It is our job to make sure your story is heard, and that your opinions are considered. It is our job to speak on your behalf when your integrity is impugned. We are your mouthpiece, and we will amplify your concerns. We will not allow you to be pushed around. We have too deep a grasp on the law, and what you are entitled to, to be bullied.
Legal Knowledge: Staying Ahead in Family Law
Our attorneys stay up to the minute with the ever evolving field of family law. Every day, new trial court and appellate decisions are published, court rules are revised and amended- all of which reshape the family law landscape. Our Hackensack attorneys recognize that we can only do our when invest more of our time and energy into knowing this field more than our opposition. This means not only keeping up with changes in the law as they occur, but also keeping our fingers to the pulse to anticipate these changes, and the underlying public policy considerations behind these changes, before they occur.
When you are ready to get started, call (201) 580-2240 to schedule your free consultation.
Hear It Directly From Our Clients
Our Passion & Drive Comes From Helping Families Like Yours
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“A+ legal rep”
Scott is a gem! He is genuine, compassionate and gets the job done. He has impeccable listening skills and clearly can understand you even through all the emotion. He is an A+ legal rep...The most trustworthy and no nonsense get the job done attorney. He will get you the results you want and then some. Reach out to Laterra & Hodge pre or post judgment...Scott and his team are superb. Scott is the attorney you want standing by you.- Lisa A -
“The representation I received from Mr Hodge was second to none.”
About a year ago I went through a divorce. As anyone who has ever went through a divorce, they can be very difficult especially when children are involved. I have to say that the legal work and the representation I received from Mr Hodge was second to none. I highly recommend using Jeff, I hired a lawyer and gained a life long friend.- Joe K. -
“His firm gave me a sense of stability in the midst of chaos”
Provided a strong, comforting presence at a very stressful and upsetting time in my life. His firm gave me a sense of stability in the midst of chaos by reaffirming my beliefs in what is right in raising a child and what is important in recovery from divorce.- Laura R. -
“Scott gave me trustworthy advise and comfort during a nerve racking situation.”
Scott was very helpful and honest when consulting with me. While some lawyers may take advantage and prey on a client during a vulnerable time, Scott gave me trustworthy advise and comfort during a nerve racking situation. Very professional and reliable from what I've experienced so far.- Luis C. -
“Scott is very ethical in his approach”
Scott has my attorney on a very diificult and emotional case for the past four years. At every turn, Scott has been there for me, able to explain difficult legal issues with patience and insight on how it would impact my case. He and his partnter, Jeff Hodge, ably represented me throughout the process, succesfully arguing many of the important issues to me of the case such as custody of our children. Scott is very ethical in his approach, does not resort to overblown hyperbole, but presents strong, logical arguements that are well recieved by the courts. Scott and his firm are more than fair in their approach to billings and fees, I felt that I was a part of the process throughout the case and they always informed me of the impact to my case. I have referred two of my friends to Scott, who have needed the services of attorney, and write this open recommendation for anyone who wants a smart, ethical lawyer, they would do well having Scott as their counsel.- Frank M. -
“They treated a difficult, emotional situation with utmost professionalism respect and compassion”
From the beginning, Scott displayed his complete knowledge of the law and expertise. He is very attentive, good listener; always explain difficult legal issues with patience and insight on how it would impact my case. Majority of lawyers take advantage of the vulnerable situation and will take more unnecessary action to charge more money for the service, you will not see this at Laterra&Hodge. Scott is very ethical in his approach, does not resort to overblown hyperbole, but presents strong, logical arguments that are well received by the courts. Laterra&Hodge has a great team of attorneys including Scott, Jeff, and Sunita as well paralegal Valentina, the most professional person I have ever worked with returned every call or email same day. They treated a difficult, emotional situation with utmost professionalism respect and compassion. I certainly would give them my recommendation.- Artur M. -
“I trust him, and no one completes this process without trust issues.”
I entered the divorce process as a neophyte, and Mr Laterra was a partner in a larger, more established matrimonial specialty firm at the time. We were against a very 'bad one' (so described years later by a retired lawyer working in the matrimonial specialty that I met). He consistantly tried to keep the dialogue professional and keep communication clear and open. This (I later discovered) is vital to survivng the post settlement life, ever after. He was completely capable of countering all the unethical chalanges we faced with the ----, but didn't need to climb in the mud to do so. He is also consistantly honest in presenting your options, and expected outcomes. Recently he met with my best friend who had disoveries post settlement, and bluntly informed him that all he would get now from investing time, energy, and lots of money would be the mild annoyance of his former wife. So my friend decided her could do that himself for free. That's ethics. If you need to at times feel the need to go down and dirty, he won't stop you, but he will guide into doing the least damage to yourself, your kids, and the case-both long and short term. He will function as your partner in this difficult time, and be there for any fine tuning if required after (but not set it up to assure he will collect a pension from you). He is also, unfortunatly for him, self experienced. I trust him, and no one completes this process without trust issues.- Tony W. -
“He helps to make the journey a little better.”
I hired Mr Laterra to represent me when I was going through my divorce. During this very difficult time, he provided me with the knowledge, compassion and expertise that resulted in a fair and uneventful court settlement. He was able to keep me focused on the final outcome, even while the emotional toll of this ugly process was becoming too much to bear. Mr Laterrra has always been very professional and personable in his client relations. I never hesitate to call him and ask for his guidance. I trust him and the advice he gives me, even if it is not what I had originally wanted to hear. Also, as a client of his, I never felt like a "number" but as valued person. I cannot express the immeasurable value of this, especially when you are going through a major life crisis. I would absolutely recommend Mr Laterra's services for both the professionalism and compassion he displays in dealing with divorce proceedings. He helps to make the journey a little better.- Donna F.