Sandra Fava

Practice Areas

Sandra Fava is a partner in the firm's Family Law Practice. From the inception of her legal career as a clerk to the presiding family court judge in Morris County to her current role as chair of the Essex County Bar Association’s Family Law Committee, Sandra has emerged as a leader in New Jersey divorce and family law.

Sandra has dedicated her legal career to the thoughtful and diligent representation of clients in divorce and family law matters. A certified mediator and a compassionate and creative attorney, she takes a solution-oriented approach, working closely with clients to identify their goals and develop a strategy that effectively and efficiently meets those goals.

Sandra’s clients are as diverse as the issues they face. She provides representation at every level, including complex and sophisticated family law matters, often representing high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, professionals and business owners or their spouses. She handles a full range of family law matters, from the negotiation of prenuptial agreements to separation and divorce proceedings, mediations and arbitrations, trials and post-judgment matters and appeals.

Sandra’s divorce clients face issues of alimony, child custody, child support and the equitable distribution and division of a wide range of assets, including family businesses, real estate, vested and unvested stock options and inherited or family wealth.

She also represents clients in a full array of post-judgment matters, including property or marital settlement agreement enforcement, college contribution disputes, modifications of alimony or child support and appeals from unfavorable judgments. Additionally, she assists clients in negotiating prenuptial agreements to protect premarital assets, income, family assets and future inheritances.

Sandra represents same-sex couples in complex and rapidly evolving areas of family law that include custody disputes between biological and non-biological parents and same-sex alimony, child support and asset distribution.

Her multifaceted family law practice also includes:

Divorce

Alimony

Custody & parenting time

Dissolution of civil unions & domestic partnerships

Equitable distribution and division of assets

Prenuptial/Ante-nuptial agreements

Palimony

Child support

Non-dissolution matters

Domestic violence

Paternity

Grandparent visitation

Post-judgment enforcement and modification of agreements, judgments and orders

Mediation & arbitration

Collaborative divorce

Appellate practice

Career

Sandra is active in the legal community. She serves as a trustee of the Essex County Bar Association, as well as chair of its Family Law Committee. Additionally, Sandra volunteers as a pro bono attorney for the National Council for Jewish Women and for Partners for Women & Justice.

Sandra was appointed to the Supreme Court of New Jersey District XB Ethics Committee for West Morris and Sussex Counties. She is also a panelist for the Essex and Morris County Matrimonial Early Settlement Panels, and frequently speaks at various continuing legal education seminars.

Professional Memberships

Essex County Bar Association, Trustee, Family Law Committee

New Jersey Association for Justice, Family Law Section Committee

National Association of Professional Women

New Jersey State Bar Association, Family Law Section

CASA Board of Trustees

Personal

Sandra's Approach

Over two decades handling some of the most complex family law cases in New Jersey, Sandra is proud to have earned a solid reputation as a legal advocate who is zealous, yet compassionate; unflinching, yet empathetic; and most importantly unwavering in her determination to do what is right for her clients and their families.

She has always fought hard for what she believes is right and just. This instinct serves her clients well. She treats each client as she would a member of her own family. They laugh. They cry. They work together to rebuild lives.

Unfortunately the law doesn’t always seem fair.

What may seem logical and appropriate to the reasonable person isn’t always aligned with what the law dictates. Every divorce is unique. No two are alike — they are like fingerprints. And a minor factor in life circumstances can make an enormous difference in the outcome of a case.

That’s why it’s essential to be represented by a legal professional who knows the law and considers the big picture as it affects you and your family’s needs and goals. You and your attorney must be able to work closely together to craft a strategic plan that will produce the most positive outcome for you and your family.

The unknown can be frightening, so Sandra has provided reference materials to serve as a valuable resource for those looking to gather reliable information and educate themselves as they navigate each phase of their family law issue. Whether it’s a prenuptial agreement for a client or their child; a divorce; mediation; a post-divorce issue such as changes to support or custody; contribution to college expenses; domestic violence; distribution of assets; executive compensation and benefits; grandparent visitation; palimony; or appeals, Sandra is there to guide her clients through what may be a personally challenging time.

When you are ready, contact Sandra at [email protected] she will work with you to make a plan to get you to a happier and healthier place, so that you can embrace the next chapter in your life.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Admitted to practice in New Jersey.

Education