Affordable & Experienced Manhattan Family Lawyers
Summary:
Paul W. Matthews, Esq. is an affordable Manhattan family law attorney with more than 25 years of courtroom experience. From his Broad Street office in Lower Manhattan, he represents parents in custody, child support, and Family Court matters, offering direct personal attention at reasonable fees. His practice is particularly focused on understanding the unique needs of families, ensuring that every child custody case receives the meticulous attention it deserves. Call (347) 461-0760 for a free phone consultation, where you can share information relevant to your case. His expertise extends beyond traditional litigation, often involving negotiation and settlement to resolve issues that respect parental rights and responsibilities. His approach ensures empowering parents with knowledge about their legal rights, and he often collaborates with other family law attorneys to reach a comprehensive agreement that benefits everyone involved in the process.
Affordable Manhattan Family Law Attorney – Proven Experience and Personal Attention
Who is Paul W. Matthews, Esq.?
I’m a New York family lawyer with over 25 years of experience handling custody and child-support cases in Manhattan Family Court and throughout the city. My office on Broad Street in Lower Manhattan makes it easy for clients, particularly parents dealing with sensitive matters, who live or work in the borough to meet with me in person or by phone, providing the convenience needed for effective dispute resolution. Whether it’s negotiating an agreement or providing guidance through complex family law processes, my goal is to support parents at every step.
You always speak directly with me—never a paralegal, assistant or junior lawyer. My personal involvement as your advocate ensures your rights are vigorously represented, as we navigate child custody issues with the utmost care and respect for family dynamics. By prioritizing direct communication, the process remains transparent and smooth for all parties.
What Areas of Family Law Do I Handle in Manhattan?
Over my career I’ve managed hundreds of custody and child-support trials and nearly a thousand Family Court matters. I help resolve disputes through negotiation, reaching amicable settlements when possible, without the need for prolonged litigation. This sometimes involves collaboration with other experienced attorneys who are committed to working in the best interest of the children involved, ensuring that the agreement is fair and just. Typical clients include:
- Parents starting new custody petitions
- Families seeking to enforce or modify child-support orders
- Grandparents pursuing visitation or guardianship
Every case receives careful preparation and steady, practical guidance from start to finish, including expertise in both negotiation and formal dispute resolution processes. This preparation also includes empowering clients with the information necessary to make informed decisions. My role as a family law attorney is to guide parents through the complexities of the legal process while maintaining their children’s well-being as a priority.
Why Choose a Small Manhattan Practice?
Large firms often hand cases to junior associates. My practice stays small so I can give clients direct, personal representation. That means faster communication, consistent strategy, and realistic advice from the attorney who actually appears in court, equipped with the expertise to handle complex disputes and negotiations. This personalized process is what sets my services apart within the competitive landscape of family law in Manhattan.
How Is Quality Representation Made Affordable?
Many people assume an experienced Manhattan lawyer must charge “Manhattan prices.”
I do the opposite—providing clear, reasonable fees and efficient case management. I explain costs up front, work quickly, and avoid unnecessary appearances or filings. Clients appreciate getting big-firm quality without inflated hourly rates, preferring peaceable settlements over costly litigation when feasible. This philosophy not only benefits the individual parent but supports the family’s overall financial health.
What Experience Defines This Practice?
My legal career began in Manhattan Family Court as an Assistant Corporation Counsel prosecuting juvenile-delinquency cases for the City of New York. My “interview,” as I like to recall, was simply watching Judge Judy preside over a trial in the same courtroom where I soon worked daily.
After transferring from the Torts Division, I spent years trying cases before Manhattan Family Court judges—experience that shapes my private practice today. I opened my first Manhattan office in downtown Manhattan, just blocks from the courthouses, and practiced there primarily until the pandemic. My present Manhattan office location serves as a central hub for parents seeking advice on child custody and educational needs for their children. With the support and guidance from family law attorneys across the city, I ensure that the process remains as seamless and supportive as possible for each family.
What Personal Ties Connect Me to Manhattan?
Manhattan has always been central to both my professional and personal life. This commitment is evident in every negotiation or litigation I engage in on behalf of my clients. The dedication to providing quality and compassionate legal support helps families navigate the often challenging dynamics of child custody and other family law issues.
I was commuting downtown on September 11, 2001, and turned back only when I saw smoke from the first tower. Years later, during the citywide blackout, I walked home over the 59th Street Bridge after finishing work on the first floor of a darkened office building. These experiences shaped my commitment to the city and the families I serve here. They remind me of the resilience needed both in personal life and in helping parents through their legal process.
Do You Handle Appeals as Well as Trials?
Yes. I’ve conducted around 500 Family Court trials and approximately 30 appeals involving custody, visitation, and support, consistently advocating for the rights of all parties through a combination of litigation and settlement where possible. This extensive experience allows me to guide parents through the legal process with confidence, working tirelessly in collaboration with other family law attorneys to create the best outcomes in every case.These accomplishments demonstrate my dedication to upholding the best interests of children and informing parents of their rights and responsibilities within the legal framework. This is particularly vital considering the emotionally charged environment of a custody dispute, where parents need clear guidance.
Appeals demand meticulous record review and clear written argument—skills I handle personally for every case. Whether your matter is at the trial or appellate level, you work directly with me. My aim is always a fair resolution, whether through negotiation or in court. In these legal situations, each decision is handled with care, ensuring the best possible outcome for my client. When issues such as a custody dispute arise, I am prepared to navigate these complex scenarios with expertise, seeking modification of existing agreements when necessary.
What Can Clients Expect Day to Day?
Every client’s story is unique. Some arrive after months of frustration in court; others are filing for the first time. These situations often involve sensitive questions surrounding issues like joint custody and require thoughtful, well-informed decisions to navigate the complexities of the legal system. A qualified child custody attorney can play a pivotal role in ensuring parents are well-represented.
I listen carefully, explain each step in plain English, and outline realistic goals. Expect prompt calls, honest advice, and careful preparation—the same approach that has earned long-term results in both Staten Island and Manhattan. This dedication ensures disputes are approached with resolution as the ultimate goal, all while respecting the decisions handed down by the courts. Having an experienced child custody attorney by your side can make a significant difference in these contentious cases.
Introducing Nicholas A. Pedersen, Esq.
At times I am not able to accept new cases, and also I only handle cases in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. I also do not do contested divorces. However, my friend and colleague Nick Pedersen, has the same philosophy as I do, that people should get high quality representation at fair and reasonable prices.
Nicholas A. Pedersen is a New York City-based attorney concentrating in divorce and family law. A graduate of Albany Law School (2015) and member of the New York State Bar since 2016, Nick has handled cases in all five boroughs and on Long Island, including custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, and family-offense matters, prioritizing parental rights and ensuring negotiations are handled with care and expertise. He is well-equipped to handle questions that might arise concerning joint custody arrangements and other complex family situations and is an adept child custody attorney ready to assist clients through the intricacies of these disputes.
He has worked with firms such as Peter L. Cedeño & Associates and Tully Rinckey PLLC, and now operates his own practice, the Law Office of Nicholas A. Pedersen, P.C. Nick also devotes time to pro bono advocacy for individuals with disabilities and enjoys New York sports and family life with his dog Tessa.
Although Nick and I are not partners and do not share cases, we share a commitment to ethical, affordable representation for New York families, using our combined expertise to advocate for fair settlements and resolutions. Together, we navigate the intricate decisions courts must make, focusing on achieving the best possible outcome for each client, even in challenging custody dispute situations.
Where Is the Manhattan Office Located?
90 Broad Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10004
The office is near the courthouses and convenient to public transit and the Staten Island Ferry.
To schedule a free phone consultation, call (347) 461-0760. I meet clients by appointment at times that fit busy family schedules.
About This Website
This Manhattan-focused site is part of Affordable-Uncontested-Divorce.com, which I created years ago when my practice still included uncontested divorces.
Today the mission is broader: to provide affordable, experienced family-law representation for Manhattan parents and families in need of help with custody, support, and appeals, emphasizing resolution through effective negotiation and settlement where possible. A skilled child custody attorney is essential in ensuring that even in contentious custody dispute cases, an equitable agreement is reached.
About Paul W. Matthews, Esq.
Paul W. Matthews is a New York family-law attorney with over 25 years of experience and offices in Manhattan and Staten Island. He has conducted more than 500 Family Court trials and 30 appeals involving custody, visitation, and support. His practice focuses on delivering personal, affordable representation with the professionalism clients expect in New York City, ensuring each situation is addressed with the utmost expertise, particularly in cases requiring modification of existing agreements.
The name remains, but the mission has evolved—to help New York families find quality legal help that combines experience, affordability, and personal attention, with a strong focus on dispute resolution and advocating for fair agreements.
Paul W. Matthews, Esq.
Attorney at Law
90 Broad Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: (347) 461-0760
© 2025 Paul W. Matthews, Esq. | Affordable-Uncontested-Divorce.com