Divorce/Dissolution ...  Stella L. Pitts & Associates can prepare papers needed to file for divorce and respond to your spouse filing for divorce. During the course of the dissolution, we will represent you during negotiation/litigation regarding division of property, writing a parenting plan for minor children, establishment of child support and, where relevant, establishing spousal maintenance (alimony). Representation includes acting on your behalf in court to secure temporary orders, and if needed, appearing in court during trial.
      We will also represent you in post-dissolution matters relevant to enforcement of a divorce decree and associated orders.

Child Support ...  Stella L. Pitts & Associates will work to secure fair child support orders as part of a/your dissolution. If there already exists a child support order, we can represent you in motions and contempt actions seeking adjustment, modification or enforcement of existing orders.

Child Custody ...  Whether it is a question of writing a parenting plan during an existing dissolution or separation, or enforcement of an existing plan, Stella L. Pitts & Associates can represent you in court, and during mediation or arbitration. Our goal is to bring the best possible results for both parents and children.
      We can also represent you in paternity suits, and in actions for third-party custody, where one party is not the biological parent, but seeks custodial rights.

Prenuptial Contracts/Marital Property Agreement ...  For couples who are considering marriage or domestic partnerships, or who are already married or in a committed relationship, it may be prudent to formalize agreements regarding the ownership of property or make financial arrangements in the case of death, divorce or separation. Stella L. Pitts & Associates can work with couples to make sensible decisions regarding the future and provide examples of previous property and separation agreements that have been successful.

Paternity ...  For every child, there are responsibilities regarding parenting and financial support. Where there is a question as to who will have these parenting responsibilities, Stella L. Pitts & Associates can help by representing the interests both of those who seek a determination of paternity and those who are not the parents of a particular child.

Domestic Violence / Anti-Harrasment ... If you are the victim of domestic violence and harassment or have been accused of such acts, Stella L. Pitts & Associates can assist you.  We can provide advice or appear with you in court when there is a conflict over entry of a protective order.

Estates / Trusts ...  As part of a dissolution, or on an independent basis, Stella Pitts & Associates can help you draft those documents that will provide for distribution of your property after death. Whether it is writing a will or setting up an inter vivos trust, we can help.

Small Business ...  Stella Pitts has managed several small businesses in her career.  She can help you find solutions to the legal problems that arise in the creation or management of a small business and also provide general consultation on strategies for effective office organization and business direction.

Mediation ...  Mediation is a process in which a third-party neutral acts as a facilitator to assist in resolving a dispute between two or more parties.  It is a non-adversarial approach to conflict resolution; the role of the mediator is to facilitate communication between the parties, assist them in focusing on the real issues of the dispute, and generate options for settlement.
     Ms. Pitts has extensive experience in serving as a mediator in family law disputes.  She is available, either at her own offices or elsewhere, to facilitate settlement negotiations between parties and work with both to come up with just and equitable solutions to conflict.