When a personal relationship breaks down or when major changes affect your family, you may find yourself facing not only emotional challenges but legal ones as well. Whether you’re going through a divorce, negotiating child custody, or facing a post-divorce dispute, the decisions you make now will shape your life for years to come. That’s why you need a law firm that brings both strategic insight and sincere compassion to the table.
At The Mandel Law Firm, we understand that family law is about far more than documents and deadlines. It’s about people. Families. Futures. And it’s our mission to help individuals and families in Boerum Hill navigate complex family matters with clarity, dignity, and confidence.
Serving the Heart of Boerum Hill Families
Boerum Hill is a unique neighborhood—residential yet vibrant, artistic yet grounded, and filled with families who value community, privacy, and long-term stability. As life evolves, so too can your family structure. Whether you’re facing a sudden dispute or planning proactively for the future, legal matters involving family relationships are never simple. But with the right attorney, they don’t have to feel insurmountable.
We’ve helped countless clients throughout Brooklyn—including Boerum Hill—resolve sensitive legal matters while protecting what matters most to them: their children, their homes, their finances, and their emotional well-being.
Why Clients in Boerum Hill Trust The Mandel Law Firm
Led by Steven J. Mandel, our firm has more than 40 years of focused experience in New York family law. Known for his philosophy—“Your problems are now my problems”—Steven and his team take a hands-on, client-centered approach to every case. Whether we’re negotiating a peaceful separation or preparing for a high-stakes custody trial, you’ll always feel seen, heard, and supported.
Our team is deeply familiar with the legal, financial, and emotional nuances that affect modern families. We don’t just file paperwork—we guide you through your next chapter with practical advice and legal precision.
Our Core Family Law Services in Boerum Hill
At The Mandel Law Firm, we provide comprehensive legal services across all aspects of family law. Every client receives personalized attention, strategic guidance, and strong advocacy. Below is a breakdown of the services we offer, each tailored to address the complex needs of families in Boerum Hill and across New York City.
Divorce Services
- Contested Divorce
When spouses cannot agree on key terms such as custody, asset division, or support, a contested divorce becomes necessary. These cases can be emotionally and financially taxing. We bring meticulous preparation and courtroom skill to each contested case—developing strong legal arguments, gathering evidence, and advocating fiercely to protect your rights throughout litigation. - Uncontested Divorce
If you and your spouse have reached full agreement on all matters, we help you formalize your divorce efficiently and with minimal conflict. Our team handles document preparation, settlement agreements, and court filings to ensure your divorce is legally sound and processed quickly. - High Net Worth Divorce
Divorces involving substantial assets require a deeper level of legal and financial insight. We have extensive experience managing high-value marital estates, which often include business interests, stock options, investment portfolios, pensions, and multiple real estate holdings. Our team works closely with forensic accountants and financial experts to ensure equitable division and long-term protection of your wealth.
Child Custody & Parenting Time
- Legal and Physical Custody
We help parents establish custodial arrangements that reflect their child’s needs and maintain parental involvement. Whether you’re seeking joint or sole custody, we tailor strategies that support your goals and the child’s best interests. - Visitation and Parenting Plans
We assist in drafting detailed parenting schedules, including weekday and weekend time, holidays, school vacations, and transportation responsibilities. We aim to minimize future disputes by creating comprehensive, enforceable plans. - Parental Relocation
When one parent wishes to relocate—especially outside of New York—existing custody agreements can be significantly disrupted. We represent both parents seeking to move and those opposing relocation, ensuring the child’s well-being and your parenting rights are preserved.
Child Support & Spousal Maintenance
- Child Support
We advocate for fair and accurate child support calculations based on New York State guidelines, while also accounting for special circumstances like private school, medical expenses, or shared custody. Whether you’re paying or receiving support, we make sure your child’s needs are met without undue hardship. - Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
Financial support after separation or divorce may be temporary or long-term. We help clients pursue or defend against spousal maintenance based on income levels, marriage duration, contributions to the household, and future earning capacity. Our firm is skilled at negotiating and litigating support that is equitable and sustainable. - Modifications and Enforcement
When your financial situation changes or your ex is failing to follow the terms of a court order, we assist with legal actions to modify or enforce child support or spousal maintenance. This includes filing motions for upward or downward adjustments or pursuing contempt actions when obligations are ignored.
Paternity & Grandparent Rights
- Paternity Actions
Establishing legal parentage is crucial for securing rights such as custody, visitation, and child support. We represent both mothers and alleged fathers in paternity proceedings, using genetic testing and legal petitions to establish or contest fatherhood. - Grandparent Visitation and Custody
When grandparents have played a significant role in a child’s life—especially during times of family instability—they may have grounds to seek visitation or custody. We help grandparents protect their relationship with grandchildren when it serves the child’s best interest, particularly when a parent is unavailable, deceased, or unfit.
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Prenuptial Agreements
Before marriage, couples may want to protect business assets, family inheritance, or premarital wealth. We draft thorough prenups that clarify property rights, debt responsibility, and spousal support in the event of divorce. These documents reduce future conflict and create a solid foundation of transparency. - Postnuptial Agreements
Even after marriage, couples may need legal agreements to define financial responsibilities, especially in response to changing circumstances such as starting a business, purchasing real estate, or having children. We help craft enforceable postnups tailored to your goals and lifestyle.
Pet Custody Disputes
- Pet Custody Agreements
Disagreements over pet ownership during separation or divorce can be emotional and complicated. Courts increasingly treat pets as more than property, and we take your concerns seriously. Whether through private negotiation or legal filings, we advocate for custody arrangements that reflect your bond with your animal and provide clarity in future care.
LGBTQ+ Family Law
- Same-Sex Divorce
We represent LGBTQ+ spouses in divorce proceedings, including equitable asset division and complex custody disputes involving biological and non-biological parents. We are deeply familiar with the evolving laws that affect same-sex couples and provide culturally competent legal support throughout the process. - Non-Biological Parenting Rights
For LGBTQ+ parents, establishing legal parentage can be challenging—especially without formal adoption. We help non-biological parents assert and protect their parental rights, particularly in custody or relocation cases. - Marital Agreements and Second-Parent Adoption
We draft prenuptial agreements and assist with adoption proceedings that affirm and secure the rights of both partners in a same-sex union.
Legal Separation & Annulments
- Legal Separation Agreements
Some couples choose not to divorce due to personal, religious, or financial reasons. We prepare comprehensive legal separation agreements that clearly define property division, custody, support, and debt responsibility—while preserving your legal marriage status. - Annulments
If your marriage is legally invalid due to fraud, duress, bigamy, incapacity, or other qualifying grounds, we will guide you through the annulment process. This form of legal relief voids the marriage, treating it as if it never existed, and is useful in certain sensitive or time-limited situations.
Post-Divorce Modifications & Enforcement
- Custody and Visitation Modifications
Parenting plans sometimes need to evolve as children grow or family situations change. We help clients seek adjustments to custody or visitation orders when there is a substantial change in circumstances—such as relocation, health concerns, or changes in the child’s schooling. - Support Modifications
If your income increases, decreases, or if your ex-spouse remarries, a change in child support or alimony may be appropriate. We guide you through the legal steps required to update your orders through the court. - Enforcement and Contempt Proceedings
When the other party fails to pay support, denies visitation, or refuses to follow court orders, we pursue enforcement aggressively. This can include wage garnishment, license suspension, or court penalties through contempt actions. You should not have to fight to receive what the court has already granted.
The Mandel Law Firm: Advocacy Rooted in Integrity
Our firm was built on the belief that effective legal representation should never come at the expense of empathy. We know how important these issues are, and we know how hard it is to make legal decisions when you’re under emotional stress. That’s why we take our role seriously—not only as lawyers but as advocates, advisors, and allies.
We prepare thoroughly, communicate clearly, and represent you with strength. Whether we’re negotiating across a table or litigating in court, we never lose sight of what you’re fighting for—your family, your stability, and your future.
Serving Boerum Hill Families with Pride
Boerum Hill is a neighborhood that values character, privacy, and authenticity. It’s a place where families grow, artists create, and professionals build legacies. At The Mandel Law Firm, we reflect those values in our legal work.
Our clients in Boerum Hill appreciate our ability to handle both the sensitive and the complex. Whether it’s navigating a peaceful divorce, litigating a custody dispute, or protecting personal assets through a marital agreement, we are trusted for our discretion, dedication, and results.
Book Your Confidential Consultation Today
Legal challenges don’t need to derail your life. With the right guidance, you can turn the page with purpose. If you’re facing a divorce, custody issue, or family law concern in Boerum Hill, let The Mandel Law Firm help you take that next step forward—safely and strategically.
Call us today at 646-770-3868 or contact us online to schedule a private consultation. Discover why families across Brooklyn trust The Mandel Law Firm when it matters most.
