David Wildstein

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family lawyer

Credentials

  • J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law
  • B.A., Lafayette College
  • Fellow American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • New Jersey State Bar Association, Family Law Section (former Chair)
  • Middlesex County Family Law Committee
  • Monmouth County Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Family Law Section
  • Member of New Jersey Supreme Court Family Law Practice Committee

Publications

Mr. Wildstein has been quoted by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and New Jersey Business Journal on prenuptial agreements and featured in New Jersey Monthly magazine and Town and Country. He has also appeared on television and radio programs on issues related to family law. He received national attention when representing Christina Ferrare in the DeLorean divorce case. He represented several other high-profile litigants, including James McGreevey, the former Governor of New Jersey, in his highly publicized divorce action.

David Wildstein, Esq.

A Trusted Advocate for Justice

Divorce is tough, but David Wildstein is tougher. He is a passionate and seasoned attorney you want when facing complex divorce, custody, support, trials, judgments, and appeals and prenuptial agreements in New Jersey family court. He is an innovative leader known for fiercely advocating for his clients and changing the law to achieve justice. David has a reputation for persevering without exception. These efforts have resulted in landmark cases that have benefitted all New Jersey Family Law litigants.

Get to Know Your Attorney

David Wildstein has devoted his entire law career to Family and Law issues, providing dedicated, advocacy assistance to many clients, including stay-at-home parents and corporate executives and high net worth individuals. He has extensive experience guiding individuals through complex economic and emotional aspects of marital disputes.

He has been a member of multiple New Jersey Supreme Court Committees, contributing to developing rules and procedures for family law in the state. Additionally, he has shared his expertise by lecturing to Judges and lawyers at the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Trial Lawyers of New Jersey, and the annual Judicial Retreat. Furthermore, he has written articles on various aspects of family law, including prenuptial agreements, equitable distribution of assets, and custody.

David Wildstein was honored with the Saul Tischler Award by the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA), Family Law Section, for his “lifetime contributions to advancing family law in the State of New Jersey.” Additionally, he received the Edward Schoifet Award from the Middlesex County Family Law Section for his “devoted and continuous services” and “dedication to improving the quality of legal services.” Mr. Wildstein’s repeated professional achievements have led to his consistent inclusion in the New Jersey Super Lawyers list since 2005-2023 and the Best Lawyers in America list since 1983 and the 2019 David Pavlovsky Award. He has also been peer rated for the highest level of professional excellence by Martindale Hubbell.

Why You Should Hire David

All lawyers went to law school; all lawyers passed the Bar Exam; all lawyers have access to the same law books. What makes one lawyer different from the other or to put it another way, what makes me different? Why to choose me as your Family Lawyer?

  1. I have a passion and hunger to achieve justice.
  2. I’m a trailblazer in changing and shaping the law by representing clients in landmark cases.
  3. I care about the well-being of my clients and understand their emotional and financial needs.
  4. I proactively fight for my client’s rights.
  5. I have been honored by being named one of the Best Lawyers in America in Family Law and a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award in Family Law.
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What David’s Clients Have to Say

Getting to know your family lawyer is crucial, as he or she is handling some of the most personal issues of your life. David Wildstein’s clients describe him as:

  • Approachable
  • Knowledgeable
  • Gains trust
  • Builds relationships
  • Knows the law well
  • A fighter for his clients
  • Empathetic
  • Relentless Litigator

FAQ

The typical time frame from filing a divorce complaint to receiving the final judgment is around one year. It could be shorter if both parties can work together to resolve issues and make compromises. Complex issues like business valuations or custody disputes may extend the time frame, especially if experts need to be involved. In such cases, the process could exceed a year.

You are not required to retain an attorney to handle your divorce or family law matter in New Jersey. However, intricate nuances within the family and marital laws are not always black and white. Having an expert on your side who is educated in all aspects of this field will put you at ease. You may be at a disadvantage if you do not have an attorney. Utilizing an experienced Family Law Attorney like David Wildstein gives you the advantage of trends in the law and decisions that will impact the outcome of your divorce case.

A party can file for divorce based on several grounds, including but not limited to adultery, extreme cruelty and desertion. A party can file for a no fault divorce, (irreconcilable differences) the most common filing for divorce is based on no fault grounds which has been possible in New Jersey since March 9, 2007. Rarely, if ever does a Court consider fault grounds in rendering a decision related to alimony or equitable distribution of assets.

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is based on criteria outlined in the alimony statute and varies from case to case. It depends on factors such as the spouses’ incomes or income-earning ability, the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s educational background and earning history, and the standard of living established during the marriage. Parental responsibility ,age and health of the parties, and needs of the parties are all taken into consideration.

New Jersey Guidelines calculate the amount of child support based on income of the parties and the number of over nights each parent has with the children.  You can find and guidelines by going on www.NJChildsupport.org.

There is no “legal separation” in New Jersey. The term can refer to a written separation agreement covering custody, parenting plans, support, and possibly the division of property and debt. It could also involve filing for Separate Maintenance, a support proceeding resulting in a support order but not ending the marriage due to divorce.