Summit

Divorce and Family Law Attorneys in Summit, New Jersey

Divorce can take an emotional, physical, monetary, legal, psychological and spiritual toll on you and your family. During this difficult and traumatic time, you need a New Jersey law firm who will work tirelessly for you and your children while tackling the pertinent issues of divorce such as custody, spousal support, child support and division of property. If you are considering a divorce or family law matter in Union County, please call Helfand & Associates at (973) 428 0800 for a free consultation with one of our lawyers. We have extensive experience practicing family and matrimonial law in Union County, New Jersey.

Law Practice Concentrating on Divorce and Family Law

Whether you are involved in an amicable divorce, an uncontested divorce or a complex, high net worth contested divorce that requires extensive litigation, the Union County, New Jersey divorce and family law attorneys at Helfand & Associates will be there for you throughout the process. Our attorneys are highly skilled at settling matters through creative negotiations, mediation or alternative dispute resolution. However, if necessary, we stand ready to litigate on your behalf and we will be prepared and ready to fervently advocate for your rights and best interests in the Union County, New Jersey Family Law Court system. We recognize that you and your spouse may be co-parenting your children for years to come and we take this into account while advocating in your behalf.

Your Matter is Unique and Requires Specialized Attention

We begin each case by first assessing your current situation and then we also take the time to understand your specific wants, needs and desires. Our communication with you is critical for us to be able to find creative and workable solutions that are right for you and your family. We take the time to listen to you and understand your values and goals. Extensive fact gathering is conducted because each detail is critical in order for our divorce and matrimonial attorneys to make thoughtful and proper recommendations regarding your matters. Our New Jersey divorce and family law attorneys practicing in Union County will stand by you throughout the entire case.

A Higher Level of Representation

If you are considering a divorce in the Union County, New Jersey Family Court, the attorneys at Helfand & Associates have extensive experience practicing family and matrimonial law. Our law firm is on Route 10, only a few minutes from Routes 287 and 46 and less than ten minutes from the Livingston Circle. Contact us for your FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION and learn why our clients refer their most beloved friends and family members to our Union County, New Jersey divorce and family law firm so we can help them with their legal family issues.

For Divorce, Family, Small Business and Legal Separation Concerns:

Divorce and Family Law

Bankruptcy/Debt

Criminal/Traffic/DWI

Workers Compensation

Guardianships/Probate Litigation

History

Summit has over 21,000 residents comprised of an international group speaking 39 languages with a broad economic and ethnic cross-section, largely mirroring the makeup of the nation as a whole. Housing is available to all levels of income including subsidized housing for senior citizens, and low- and middle-income families.

Summit History

The region passed from Indian to Colonial possession by purchase on October 28, 1664 for “twenty fathoms of trading cloth, two made coats, two guns, two kettles, ten bars of lead and twenty handfuls of powder.”

Summit’s earliest settlers came here about 1710. Most of the founding fathers brought Puritan heritage from the British Isles, and from neighboring New England, Connecticut and Long Island. Finding a true paradise, the Summit area was abundant in timber for building cabins, rabbits for food and pelts, plentiful turkey, and a fertile valley for growing wheat and corn. Plus the Passiac River was full of fish to eat and water to float boats.
Where did “Summit” get its name?

In 1837, the railroad came over the “The Summit” hill, whose name was later, shortened to Summit. During the Revolutionary period and for some time afterwards Summit was called the “Heights over Springfield” and was considered a part of New Providence. The original name of Summit was “Turkey Hill” to mark it apart from “Turkey”, as New Providence was known until 1750.

In 1869, Summit separated itself from New Providence and became the “Township of Summit”. Thirty years later on April 11 1899, The City of Summit was incorporated.

Originally, Summit was a cozy farming community populated by about 300 people until 1837. The community began to change from a rural farming and milling to quasi-commercial. After the Civil War, Summit became a summer resort area because of its crisp, clean mountain air and convenient proximity to New York City. Summit attracted extremely wealthy people who built extensive summer estates.
The landscape has had a definite influence in the development of Summit. This tree-dense suburban community is nestled in the hills of the Watchung Reservation with six square miles of broken hills at a 450-foot elevation. Summit sits above Springfield, to the east of Millburn, and just northwest, Chatham joins Summit to pinch the broad valley of the Passaic River.

Summit is a family-oriented residential community with light industry. Many Summit settlers and current residents have attributed significantly to the world’s business, industrial and government affairs. More importantly, their relentless dedication for volunteerism has made the Summit community a leader in civic mindedness. The governing body has sought out experts on economics, communications, education, government administration, physical and mental health, recreation, social planning, transportation and safety; all adding to the great growth of Summit, then and now.

Rail and bus links to Newark and Manhattan, Routes 24 and 78 and the Garden State Parkway and Newark-Liberty International Airport, commuters find this thriving community a perfect place to settle. The Summit Train Station has the Mid-Town Direct train -a less than 30-minute ride – from Summit to Penn Station. The City of Summit has numerous parking garages and lots supplying ample parking for resident commuters and downtown employees.
Summit grows with the times – State-of-the Art Downtown.

In 1925, way a head of its time, Summit was the first city to bury utility wires underground. More recently, in 2000 the city’s downtown business district underwent a complete utility infrastructure and beautification project. Upgrade of underground utility wiring, widening of sidewalks for pedestrian traffic, improved street and sidewalk lighting, festive space for markets and special events with street-lined trees and seasonal plantings. Summit recognizes the importance of the downtown business district to the overall quality of life in the community. The project cost over 4 million dollars with more than 50% funding acquired from state and county grants and zero-interest loans.

Summit’s Downtown Business District is a tapestry of retail and commercial businesses with an abundance of specialty and gift shops, clothing stores, home furnishings, restaurants, bakeries, fine wine outlets, movie theatre and ample free parking all within short walking distances. Please be sure to visit and enjoy our downtown Summit. Education is a priority for Summit

The schools of Summit-public, private and parochial-have continually molded good and able young people with 92 % of the students going onto college, contributing much to the community’s development. Just recently, Summit High School was ranked the 6th best high school in the State of New Jersey. Many students return to live and raise a family in their hometown of Summit.

Summit offers an array of programs, facilities, and events to capture and educate the community in arts, recreation, cultural and spiritual guidance.

The Summit Boards of Recreation and Education, the Summit YMCA and many other non-profit organizations enable residents of all ages the ability to participate in leisure and health-related programs. Summit has numerous playing fields to include baseball, football, soccer, basketball, tennis, running track and a 9-par Golf Course and a Municipal Pool.

Artistic and cultural traditions are strong in Summit, with its roots in the visual arts dating back to Whorthington Whittredge, a painter of the Hudson River School who lived in Summit from 1880 – 1910. The New Jersey Center for the Visual Arts is a commitment to the arts offering cultural activities, ranging from art exhibits and jazz concerts to courses for budding artists. The Summit Free Public Library offers an adverse array of cultural readings, movies, special events and free Internet access for all ages.

For nature lovers, the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a great place to visit with formal gardens and woodlands on its 12.5 acres site and is a New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. Nature classes and seasonal events are available for both children and adults.

Summit is also diverse with an array of Houses of Worship providing churches for all and a definite spiritual life in the Summit community.

Summit Landmarks

Overlook Hospital was founded in 1906 as a 30-bed private hospital on its present site. In 1914, Overlook became a public institution and now serves as one of the leading hospitals in the New York metropolitan area and a very integral public service to the Summit area.
The Grand Summit Hotel, originally known as the Blackburn, played an important role in drawing people to Summit for summer retreats in Summit’s early years and continues to be a preferred dining and hotel destination.

The Summit Historical Society is housed in the town’s oldest house built in 1747 located at 90 Butler Parkway, which is also the home of the town archives.

The Summit Opera House erected in 1894 as a “dry entertainment” hall currently houses a restaurant Winberries, and several other businesses and residences.