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Connecticut Family Lawyer

If you are considering a divorce or experiencing a custody conflict, your family’s wellbeing and financial security are likely at stake. Family disputes and transitions are complex matters that can escalate quickly and become unmanageable if not handled properly.  We offer honest and dedicated representation and are here to guide you to a favorable resolution of your family law case. Our firm culture emphasizes accessibility and approachability for our clients, as well as respect for their concerns, time, and resources. Our Connecticut family attorneys have extensive experience handling complex financial and custodial disputes throughout the state. We are here to understand, help and advocate for your interests.

Understanding the Scope of Family Law

Two of the main services family law lawyers offer are divorce litigation and mediation. However, there are many other types of domestic issues for which families might seek legal help. The skilled legal team at Dolan Divorce Lawyers regularly handles cases concerning the following domestic matters:

The laws governing these issues are complex, and attempting to interpret legal statutes during significant life moments can be overwhelming. Thus, it is often beneficial for families to seek legal help from a knowledgeable and compassionate lawyer in the area.

Marital Dissolution in Connecticut

When seeking to end one’s marriage, it is essential to speak with a family attorney familiar with state legal statutes. Relationships end for many reasons, but there is not always one person responsible for the breakdown of the marriage. For this reason, the state allows spouses to file for no-fault or fault divorces.

Couples who simply have “irreconcilable differences” typically file for no-fault divorces. Conversely, if one person was unfaithful, the spouses might file for a fault-based dissolution. A lawyer can inform individuals of the legal implications of both filings.

Legal Representation You Can Count On

Our clients come to us at one of the most difficult points in their life. We are here to help you get through it.
Matthew Dolan
Family Law

Matthew F. Dolan is a lifelong resident of Connecticut. Attorney Dolan handles the firm’s Family Law matters, with a particular focus on high asset divorce cases. Attorney Dolan has been named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 for the State of Connecticut, he has been selected as a New England Super Lawyers Rising Star in the area of Family Law from 2015 through 2019 (each year, no more than 2.5% are named to the Rising Stars list).

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Nicole Bikakis
Family Law

Nicole C. Bikakis handles Family Law matters for the firm, with a particular focus on high asset and high-income divorce cases and custody disputes. Attorney Bikakis joins Dolan Divorce Lawyers after working as an associate attorney at Saxe, Doernberger & Vita, P.C., in Trumbull Connecticut. Attorney Bikakis was selected to the New England Super Lawyers Rising Star.

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Nicole A. Carnemolla
Family Law

Nicole A. Carnemolla is a partner at Dolan Divorce Lawyers. Nicole handles the firm’s family law matters, with a particular focus on high income/asset divorce cases and custody matters. Attorney Carnemolla joins the firm after working as an associate attorney at Lynch Law Group, LLC in Shelton, CT, where she handled both civil and matrimonial matters. While Attorney Carnemolla has developed significant experience in both civil litigation and matrimonial cases, she is continually drawn back to family matters and focuses her practice in that area.

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Nicole C. Mather
Family Law

Nicole C. Mather is a partner at Dolan Divorce Lawyers. Nicole handles family matters for the firm, with a particular focus on complex custody disputes and asset division. With over ten years of legal experience, she joined us from Cordell & Cordell, where she exclusively practiced family law as a senior litigation attorney. 

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Ruth N. Dwyer
Family Law

Ruth Nadeau Dwyer is a Partner at Dolan Divorce Lawyers.  Ruth handles Family Law matters for the firm, including divorce, custody, and post judgment matters.  Attorney Dwyer started as a Legal Research Clerk for the Connecticut Judicial Branch before joining Ackerly Brown LLP in Bantam.  During her 17 years at Ackerly Brown, Attorney Dwyer handled all aspects of family law, including litigation, mediation, and Guardian Ad Litem appointments, as well as civil litigation and probate litigation.  She was selected to the New England Super Lawyers Rising Star list from 2012 through 2019.

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Kevin O’Leary
Family Law

Kevin J. O’Leary is a lifelong resident of New Haven County who handles the firm’s Family Law matters. Attorney O’Leary joined the team after working as a Child Support Investigator for the State of Connecticut for seven years. While working as a child support investigator, Attorney O’Leary investigated paternity and support cases throughout the state.

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Mitchell Teta
Family Law

Mitch is a lifelong Connecticut resident. Mitch graduated magna cum laude from Quinnipiac School of Law, where he was an associate editor for the Quinnipiac Law Review, and received the Academic Achievement Award in contracts. Prior to law school, Mitch attended Southern Connecticut State University, where he graduated magna cum laude. After law school, Mitch obtained a certification as a counselor of domestic violence.

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Ellen M. Lynch
Family Law

Ellen M. Lynch is a partner at Dolan Divorce Lawyers handling Family Law matters with the firm. A Connecticut native, Attorney Lynch joins the firm after working as an attorney at the New Haven law firm, Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, P.C. where she handled civil litigation, complex litigation and family matters.

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Louise R. Zito
Family Law

Louise R. Zito is “Of Counsel” to Dolan Family Law. She is a family law Attorney Mediator and Collaborative Attorney, admitted in Connecticut, New York and Federal Court. She offers client consultations for all areas of family matters, is available as consulting/review counsel, provides consultations and second opinions for existing mediations, consultation services to other professionals experiencing Impasse in their Mediations and Collaborative work.

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Alexandra C. Ritter
Family Law

Alexandra C. Ritter is a partner at Dolan Divorce Lawyers. Alix handles Family Law matters for the firm, including divorce, custody and post-judgment matters, with a particular focus on complex asset division. Attorney Ritter started as an Associate at Moots Pellegrini, PC in New Milford, CT, where she handled both civil and family matters for the firm. Alix joined Dolan Divorce Lawyers after working as a Senior Litigation Attorney at Cordell, LLP in Hartford, CT, where she handled family matters exclusively.

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Courtney M. Parsons
Family Law

Courtney M. Parsons is a partner at Dolan Divorce Lawyers. Courtney handles Family Law matters for the firm, including divorce, custody and post-judgment matters. Attorney Parsons joins Dolan Divorce Lawyers after working as an Associate Attorney at BBB Attorneys, LLC in West Hartford, CT, where she handled both civil litigation and probate matters for the firm.

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What Our Clients Say About Our Services
A Quality and Honest Attorney
Matt Dolan was exceptional throughout my entire divorce process. He was very responsive and explained everything in a way that I could understand. He also continued to find errors and mistakes that the mediation attorneys would miss. He advocated on my behalf, but not in a "pushy lawyer" kind of...
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Doug L.
A Fantastic Advocate
I reached out to Matthew and his team for representation during a challenging time in my life. He was very easy to work with, laid out clear expectations and was a fantastic advocate during this time. He helped to negotiate a fair and equitable settlement outside of the courtroom. I...
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Erik L.
Knowledge and Prompt Responses
Matthew Dolan came highly recommended as representation on my behalf for a pre-nuptial agreement. Throughout the process, I worked with Nicole - I can't say enough about how comfortable she made me feel. Her knowledge and prompt responses made the entire process go incredibly smooth. I would absolutely recommend the...
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Brenda K.
Best Interest From the Beginning
Mitch was amazing, he was very responsive to every question I had and I could tell he had my best interest from the beginning. He brought up points that I would have never thought about and made sure that I was covered from any further issues, as my previous divorce...
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Mike C.
Extremely Caring and Very Professional
Matthew Dolan is an excellent lawyer. He is extremely caring and very professional. He did a great job assisting with me in my case and I would recommend him highly to anyone looking for personal legal assistance in the future.
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Jennifer M.
Care and Sensitivity
Going through a divorce is not an easy process. The amazing team at Dolan & Dolan handled by case with such care and sensitivity. There was wonderful communication and a great sense of confidence in their ability to fully advocate for me!
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Denora P.

Legal Assistance for Child Support Cases

Child support is often a highly contested matter for recently-divorced individuals and couples who were never married. State law requires all parents involved in these disputes to submit a Connecticut Child Support Guidelines Worksheet to the court. This document uses a formula to calculate regular payments based on both parties’ incomes.

After completing this worksheet, parents may work with a lawyer to negotiate child support that deviates from the calculated value. A legal professional can ensure any support agreements meet the applicable legal requirements. Alternatively, if two parties were never married, a parent might hire a family attorney for help requesting a paternity test to confirm or contest obligations to pay child support.

Child Custody and Visitation

Child custody and visitation disputes are often emotional for both parents and the children involved. Working with a local family attorney can help parents distance themselves from these strong emotions and negotiate an agreement that is best for their children.

The child custody and visitation laws in Connecticut apply to both divorced and unmarried parents. There are two types of custody: physical and legal. Physical custody concerns where the child resides, while legal custody involves making significant child-rearing decisions.

The courts consider many factors when determining child custody and visitation. Judges often rule in favor of both parents sharing custody, but this is not always the case. If one parent believes they should have sole legal custody, a skilled family law attorney can help them present a strong argument to the court.

Speak with a Connecticut Family Attorney Today

Domestic issues can lead to contentious disputes that impact the entire family. Though state law permits individuals to represent themselves in family court, you do not have to face the legal system alone.

Hiring a Connecticut family lawyer can significantly improve your chances of achieving the desired outcome in your case. The legal team at Dolan Divorce Lawyers can help you navigate the legal system, whether you are dealing with the marital dissolution process, a prenuptial agreement, or a child custody case. Schedule a consultation with a family attorney today to learn more about your legal rights and options.

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    Connecticut Family Lawyer | CT Family Law | Dolan Family Attorneys