LaDonna M. Cousins
New Jersey Divorce and Family Law Attorney
LaDonna M. Cousins is a Partner at the Williams Law Group specializing in all aspects of Family Law, including pre-nuptial agreements, separation, divorce, alimony, post-judgment matters, issues related to custody, parenting time, child support, grandparents’ rights, stepparent and adult adoptions, domestic violence, mediation, child welfare (DCPP), preparation of simple Wills, and related family matters. LaDonna recognizes the importance of these matters in her clients’ lives and strives to provide her clients with zealous advocacy and service.
LaDonna achieved her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and Spanish from Georgetown University where she graduated cum laude. LaDonna achieved her Juris Doctor (JD) from Temple University, Beasley School of Law. While attending law school, LaDonna was trained in the Trial Advocacy program and participated in the Domestic Relations Mediation Clinical, where she was trained in mediation skills and conducted mediation sessions with parties referred by the Family Court. After LaDonna’s graduation from law school and prior to entering private practice, she served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Susan F. Maven, J.S.C. in the Atlantic County Superior Court of New Jersey in the Chancery Division, Family Part and briefly in the Atlantic County Appellate Division of the Superior Court.
LaDonna has extensive litigation and trial experience and is a skilled litigator if settlement cannot be reached. LaDonna serves as an Early Settlement Panelist in Essex County, where she analyzes pending divorce matters and provides her professional recommendation regarding settlement. LaDonna is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and is a member of the New Jersey Bar Association and the Essex County Bar Association. She is honored to be a member of the Family Law Executive Committee for the New Jersey State Bar Association for the 2023-2024 term.
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
- Estate Planning
- Wills
- Credit Cards Accepted
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Virtual Consultations Available. Credit Cards Accepted. Rates, Retainers and Additional Information Provided At Consultation
- New Jersey
- New Jersey Courts
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Partner
- Williams Law Group, LLC
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- Attorney
- Williams Law Group, LLC
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- Attorney
- Rozin Golinder Law, LLC
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- Attorney
- Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group
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- Attorney
- Miller, Meyerson & Corbo
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- Attorney
- Berner Klaw & Watson, LLP
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- Law Clerk, Hon. Susan F. Maven, J.SC.
- Superior Court of New Jersey
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- Legal Assistant, Hon. Ida K. Chen
- Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial District
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- Temple University Beasley School of Law
- J.D. (2011)
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- Georgetown University
- B.A.
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- Top 40 Under 40
- The National Black Lawyers
- Rising Star
- Super Lawyers
- 2017-2021
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- Essex County Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey
- Member
- Current
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- NJSBA, Family Law Executive Committee
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- Family Law Trials: Bench Trial Basics
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- "I'm Speaking" A Discussion of Diversity, Allyship, and Elimination of Bias
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- Hot Tips in Family Law: Are the Kids Alright
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- New Attorney Day - Family Law
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- Website
- Williams Law Group, LLC - LaDonna M. Cousins
- Q. How to amend divorce decree for name change due to REAL ID deadline?
- A: You might consider doing what others in your position have done - Docket the divorce decree/Judgment of Divorce here in New Jersey in order to obtain a New Jersey docket number. Then file a Motion under that docket number to resume the use of your maiden name. The court's website offers some helpful information:
https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/name-change
You may also consider contacting a family law attorney for a consultation or assistance.
- Q. If I live in an inherited property w/ my husband & then sell & buy a new property, does my husband have claim if divorce
- A: To ensure the asset is separate and to protect it from any claims that could be made, consider entering into a Post-Nuptial Agreement. The Post-Nuptial Agreement can confirm that it is both of your intention to keep your inherited property as well as any subsequent asset you purchase or acquire with the funds from that property separate. Consider consulting with an attorney to prepare such an Agreement and to understand your rights.
- Q. if a marrried couple getting a divorce and dont have assets property etc will there be spousal and alimony
- A: The answer depends on several factors. The factors are detailed in the statute. The factors include, but are not limited to, each of the parties' incomes, the parties' lifestyle during the marriage, a party's need, a party's ability to pay, childcare responsibilities, and more. The statute also addresses how long alimony could be ordered to be paid, which depends on the circumstances. If completed correctly, the Case Information Statements that the Court requires to be completed can be helpful in an initial analysis of the alimony. It may be worth consulting with an attorney on this nuanced issue.
