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830 Post Road East, Suite 301 | Westport, Connecticut 06880
2435 Route 6, 2nd Floor | Brewster, New York 10509
Call For Consultation 203-557-9500845-860-0000
Guidance that moves lives forward... Westport Family Law attorneys serving Fairfield County, CT
Awards
  • Top 10 Attorney and Practice Magazine
    Attorney Mark Randall, Westport Divorce Lawyer
    10 Best Attorney
  • Lawyers.com Verified
    Melissa Lynch
    Melissa Lynch
    Alexander J. Cuda
  • Lead Counsel Verified
About the Firm

Westport Family Law Attorneys Address Your Urgent Concerns

Experienced Connecticut lawyers provide candid advice focused on your specific needs

At Needle | Cuda, we know when you come to see us that you may be going through the most difficult time of your life. That is why we style ourselves a “high touch” law firm with a premium on client service. In the comfort of our welcoming Westport office — or remotely as may be necessary or appropriate — we discuss your situation thoroughly and provide information and guidance to help you make a well-informed decision about how you would like to proceed. We focus on family law and limit the number of cases we take, so we can provide the personal attention you deserve while building a positive working relationship that inspires confidence. Over decades of practice, our cases throughout Fairfield County have involved couples with high-conflict custody matters, significant net worth and complex legal issues. You can trust our ability to manage your case.

Straightforward advice from savvy Fairfield County lawyers

At Needle | Cuda, we understand your need for candid legal advice from a trustworthy source. When you come to us with a family law problem, you will find we are:

  • Reputable — Our attorneys have established themselves as skilled in litigation as well as negotiation and are reliable authorities on Connecticut family law. Our colleagues in the bar know us as formidable opponents and principled advocates for our clients’ rights.
  • Responsive — We are always mindful that our role as counselors requires us to be attentive, accessible and proactive. Once we understand your goals for yourself and your family, we implement effective strategies designed to deliver the results you need.
  • Comprehensive — We are very detail-oriented and work tirelessly to achieve resolution of your family law disputes. We know we can only succeed by understanding your unique circumstances and addressing the totality of your concerns. When necessary, we also draw on outside resources, consulting a range of experts whose input is vital to helping us achieve our clients’ goals.

Our firm combines indispensable experience with a passionate desire to help our clients secure their future.

Areas Of Practice

Our singular focus enables positive results in divorce and family law cases

At Needle | Cuda, our exclusive focus on divorce and family law ensures in-depth knowledge of substantive law and procedure, as well as a current and clear understanding of ever-evolving case law. You can trust our accomplished legal team to manage:

Divorce — A divorce matter (the dissolution of a marriage) requires resolution of three main components between the parties before an agreement can be presented before a family court on behalf of the parties:

  • Child custody — There are two aspects: legal custody and physical custody.
  • Asset/property division — All property held by either party can be considered by courts in Connecticut, regardless of title and regardless of whether it was acquired before or after the marriage.
  • Disposition of Income — This includes alimony and child support.

These three main components of a divorce action generally involve the following issues: legal and physical child custody, visitation, parenting plans, alimony, child support, earning capacity, real property, financial and retirements assets, 401(k) plans, ownership in family and closely held businesses and a variety of complicated and valuation issues specific to high net worth divorces.

Any or all of these issues and areas can become extremely complex and nuanced. Parents may have strong disagreements about how to raise their children and so may propose vastly different parenting plans. Same-sex couples may need to take special efforts to protect their parental rights. The financial status of high-net-worth couples also complicates divorce, which must fairly address such properties as retirement assets, business interests and assets that are inherited or held in trust or that were owned before marriage.

Family law — Our family law practice handles a wide range of matters concerning custody, marriage, domestic relations, and post-divorce issues. These include prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, legal separation, restraining orders, protective orders, custody actions (irrespective of whether the parents are married), paternity and child support claims, enforcement orders, contempt actions, relocation and post-judgment modifications.

Dispute resolution — We select methods of resolving disputes appropriate to our clients’ unique circumstances, needs, and goals. We can use a range of processes, such as mediation and arbitration, to achieve negotiated settlements. When settlement is not possible, we pursue litigation to obtain the best possible outcome based on the needs and circumstances of our client. We also bring appeals when a court’s ruling or judgment results in an injustice.

Our firm also represents clients who are dissolving same-sex marriages. Our legal team can deliver strong, effective legal representation in your divorce or other family law matter.

To reserve a consultation, call us today at 203-557-9500 Contact our Westport, CT family law firm for savvy and straightforward legal counsel

Proudly Serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients across Connecticut and New York


Westport, CT Office

Greenwich | Darien | New Canaan | North Stamford | Rowayton | Ridgefield | Westport | Southport | Wilton | Weston
And, the surrounding towns and communities...


Brewster, New York Office

Dutchess | Putnam | Westchester | Suffolk (Counties) | NYC (Manhattan).
And, the sorrounding towns and communities...

Testimonials
  • "Melissa is a fine lawyer who has mastered the art of combining legal ability, strategic thinking and a sense of humanity towards her client. She is a pleasure to work with and I’d strongly recommend her." - Mark

  • "At a very difficult and emotional time, Atty Needle helped to keep things calm. Professional, thorough and to the point, Melissa helped to guide me in the right direction. She quickly gained my trust so I felt confident with the legal councel I received. Atty Needle’s ability to keep things positive while getting the job done is what stands out the most when someone asks about my experience." - anonymous

  • "I spent 11 long years in the system. I would not have been trapped there for so long if I had Attorney Melissa Needle as my counsel from the beginning. She was a ray of sunshine in the very dark world of divorce and in my never ending storm. Melissa gave me back my freedom and not only brought justice to the ones who were trying to defy the system, but she defended me from many unjust accusations. I have spoken to countless lawyers..." - anonymous

  • "Melissa was extremely helpful as I went through my divorce process. She delivered great legal advice with a lot of technical excellence through some very complex employment compensation issues. However, more importantly, she understood my emotions and end goals and was able to communicate practically, patiently and with compassion to deliver a favorable result." - Dan

  • "Melissa has professionally represented me for over 12 years; guiding me thru the legal & emotional hurdles of a difficult divorce, thru a court modification process to the original agreement, thru an appeal to that modification, & thru another full court hearing on the modification...all with fair & positive rulings in my favor. I have & will continue to recommend her legal services to others." - Bill

  • Guiding You Through the Connecticut Divorce Process


    Savvy Fairfield County attorneys provide trustworthy advice focused on your goals

    If you have decided to dissolve your marriage, or if your spouse has served you with divorce papers, you are probably wondering, “What happens now?” At Needle | Cuda, we understand your apprehension, and we want to set your mind at ease. You have many options when it comes to the divorce process, litigation strategy and trial tactics. However, your choices must be appropriate for your specific circumstances and your goals for life after your divorce.
    LEARN MORE
  • Established Family Law Firm Assists Westport Clients


    Effective legal representation in Connecticut for the issues that strike close to home

    When a legal issue is hanging over your family, casting doubt about your future and your security, it’s important to get trustworthy advice and effective representation from an attorney who truly understands this area of the law. Needle | Cuda is a boutique law firm dedicated entirely to the practice of family law. Our sharp focus makes us aware of the nuances that can be decisive in complex litigation and enables us to keep pace with developments in the law, so we can better serve our clients.
    LEARN MORE
  • Skilled Family Law Practitioners Open New Office in Brewster


    Knowledgeable divorce lawyers effectively assist New York clients

    We are pleased to announce the opening of our new office in Brewster, New York, where we serve the needs of divorce and family law clients in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties and adjoining areas. Our team of experienced New York lawyers offer the same level of reputable, responsive and comprehensive legal work as we have been providing to our Connecticut clients for decades, as they tailor their representation to the particular procedural and legal requirements of the Empire State.
    Learn More
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