Barbara A. Strowd, Attorney at Law

The Strowd Law Firm practices primarily in the area of divorce and family law, focusing on the following types of cases:

·                Divorce

Divorce, by definition, is the legal dissolution of a marriage. Rarely, though, are divorces as simple as people would like them to be.  Most divorces involve the division of property between spouses and/or the arrangement of child custody and support.  There are many other matters that can be affected by divorce including family businesses, social security, retirement benefits and health insurance.  In addition to material issues, the emotional aspect of a divorce may well have its own timetable.  Ideally, a divorce settlement will be reached without the intervention of the court.  If, however, agreements cannot be reached, we offer aggressive legal representation to ensure that your personal needs are addressed. As divorce issues can be very complex, we can help you use a rational perspective to approach the process. Knowledgable about the military, pay and benefits.

·                Family Law

The term family law applies to legal matters that relate to family relationships, rights, duties and finances. In addition to relationships between members within a family, family law rules also apply to the relationship between a family and society.  Family law reflects the values society shares regarding how people who are related treat each other.  By definition, a family law attorney aids the creation or termination of family relationships.  Because family law is the only area of law in which we practice, we can offer advice and assistance on many of the intricacies involved.  Since you are dealing with a life-altering situation such as divorce, we want to assist in your understanding and resolve the matter to your satisfaction.

·                Alimony and Spousal Support

Spousal support, or alimony, is payment that one person in a marriage must pay to the other when the couple separates or divorces.  The purpose of alimony is to avoid any unfair economic consequences of a divorce, even after property is divided.

·                Child Support

Child support is a payment by a non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to contribute to the cost of raising children. Recent research has indicated that more than 13 million divorced parents have sole custody of a child in the United States.  Luckily for those 13 million, there are strict laws in each state that dictate the collection and enforcement of child support. Because these laws vary from state to state, it is crucial that you meet with an experienced family law attorney to discuss your child support issues.  Whether you are seeking child support for your child or are required by law to pay child support, we will fight to secure a final disposition that is sufficient and fair.

·                Custody and Visitation

After a divorce, who maintains custody of the children is one of the most difficult decisions a couple can agree upon. First, the couple must learn what custody and visitation options are available in addition to the details and implications of each. Physical custody is the set of parental responsibilities regarding day-to-day care in addition to the rights to direct the child’s daily activities, while legal custody is the set of rights and responsibilities regarding the child’s upbringing.  As a family law attorney firm, we routinely work with child psychologists, parenting coordinators, guardians ad litem and other mental health professions to develop parenting plans which are in the best interests of the children. Ideally, an agreement can be made without the need of a court order. 

·                Paternity and Legitimation

Paternity and legitimation are important not only for establishing a healthy relationship between a child and its parent, but also in determining responsibility for the upbringing and support of the child. We will work with you to obtain all of the required tests to ensure that your child receives the support he or she deserves. 

·                Annulment

       An annulment, in essence, sets aside the marriage as if it never existed. The procedures for annulment are very similar to the procedures for divorce..

·                Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement is a contract entered into by two people prior to marriage. The purpose of this agreement is to establish the division of property or spousal support arrangements should the couple divorce.  If you and your significant other are considering a prenuptial agreement, we encourage you to meet with us to discuss your rights and wishes.

The Strowd Law Firm also handles probate and estate administration matters including:

·                Probate and Estate Administration

In addition to setting up and organizing your estate correctly, we can see your will through the probate process and handle other related-issues, including will contests and the appointment of executors. We also offer legal advice and counsel on all estate planning matters. 

·                Guardianships and Conservatorships

 We can set up a court-appointed guardianship to care for an incapacitated adult. We can also set up conservatorship for underage children and adults who are incapable of managing their estates...

·                Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives

We can help you draft your will or appoint powers of attorney for your finances, health care, and other areas of your life. We can also help you outline your wishes for medical care—in the event that you become incapacitated—with a Health Care directive. 

·                Trusts

Whether your trust is a basic trust or a complex trust, our estate planning lawyers will simplify the process for you so that your assets are easily taken care of and ready for your beneficiaries when the time comes..