Linda A. Schofel | Sarno Da Costa D’Aniello Maceri

Linda Schofel has been a family law attorney for more than 30 years, including more than 20 years as a partner at her previous firm: Newman, McDonough, Schofel & Giger, P.C. In March of 2022, she moved to Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri to join their family law division as “Of Counsel.” She has master’s Degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling and Social Work.

Ms. Schofel is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is collaboratively trained. She is a trained mediator for domestic violence matters in the New Jersey pilot program. Her background, training, and experience in individual, group, and family therapy together with her degree in law led her to serve as a family and divorce mediator. Out of her dual background, she has developed an award-winning reputation as a fair, patient, thoughtful, and resourceful parenting coordinator and guardian ad litem for children and adults.

Ms. Schofel has been working with the courts in matters pertaining to families and children in various capacities since 1973, including serving as a court-appointed therapist and forensic social worker, as well as directing the Adolescent Assessment Team at the District Court in Somerville, Massachusetts. She also maintained a private therapy practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Ms. Schofel’s level and scope of achievement have resulted in appointments from judges in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union County Superior Courts to serve as a Guardian Ad Litem and/or as a Parent Coordinator where she has served with distinction. She has appeared in court on numerous occasions, including an argument before the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Among her many honors, Ms. Schofel has been included by Super Lawyers for the years 2007 through 2023. In 2009, she was named as among the top 50 New Jersey women attorneys.

I. Types of marriages, including traditional, civil unions and domestic partnerships | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

II. Drafting premarital agreements | 1:10pm – 1:20pm

III. Causes of action for divorce | 1:20pm – 1:40pm

IV. Alternative dispute resolution processes | 1:40pm – 1:50pm

V. All aspects of child custody, including types of custody, removal from the state, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PLKPA), the Hague Convention, and grandparent visitation | 1:50pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

VI. Spousal support, including types of alimony, purpose of alimony and factors to be considered

VII. Child support and how it is determined | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

VIII. Modifications to custody and support awards | 2:20pm – 2:30pm

IX. Equitable distribution, including how assets and debts are divided and considerations for property division | 2:30pm – 2:40pm

X. Domestic violence, including definition, types of abuse, the impact on families, how to obtain an order of protection and violation and enforcement of protection orders | 2:40pm – 2:50pm

XI. Early settlement programs | 2:50pm – 3:00pm

XII. Preparation and trial | 3:00pm – 3:10pm