908-236-8204

Mon-Fri • 9AM - 5PM

908-236-8204

Mon-Fri • 9AM - 5PM

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Your Trusted Family Law Firm In New Jersey

We are by your side every step of the way. Bauer & Karch Law Group LLC is a full-service family law firm handling divorce, child custody, domestic violence & more.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Experts

Our team of legal experts offers personalized representation for all your divorce and family law needs, including mediation, collaborative divorce, litigation and arbitration, Custody and parenting time, Child support, Domestic violence, Alimony.

Contact Us Today To Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

Inquire about our complimentary initial consultation to review your options and take the first steps toward your new life.

Our Full-Service Family Law Firm

At Bauer & Karch Law Group, LLC, we understand that no two families are the same. With decades of combined experience in the field, we have a passion for helping you successfully navigate family law-related matters and are committed to attaining fair results in your family’s best interest. Our team of compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys is here to help you start a new chapter in your life.

Bauer & Karch

Legal Practice Areas

Bauer & Karch Law Group is here to help you navigate through the divorce and family law processes to ensure the best possible outcome.

divorce

Our team of legal experts is here to guide and support you through the divorce process. We promote the settlement of cases using alternative dispute resolutions; these include mediation, collaborative divorce, and arbitration.

custody and parenting time

One of the most important parts of a divorce is to make the right custody decision and plan proper accommodations for your children to thrive. Our primary objective is to protect the minor’s well-being as they grow up and act in your family’s best interest.

child support

Our compassionate attorneys know that child support matters are often a sensitive issue during a divorce. We’re here to help you understand New Jersey’s child support laws and will work hard to ensure your children have the appropriate financial support to guarantee their overall well-being.

alimony

We understand the complexities of spousal maintenance. Our professional team of legal experts has the knowledge and expertise you need to secure your financial future and will strive to obtain the best possible outcome for our clients.

domestic violence

If you are experiencing domestic violence or have been served with a restraining order, please don’t hesitate to contact our skilled lawyers today. Our team is prepared to help defend your rights and ensure you and your loved ones are protected.

Arbitration & Mediation

At Bauer & Karch Law Group, LLC, we encourage our clients to take an amicable approach to their disputes and avoid litigation by following the Alternative Dispute Resolution Process. The main goal of this less costly alternative is to settle disputes outside the courtroom through arbitration and mediation.

Collaborative Law

Dissolving a marriage is not an easy decision to make. Collaborative law aims to facilitate the process by reaching a mutual agreement without going to court. Our compassionate legal team is prepared to advise you and walk you through every step to ensure an acceptable outcome for all parties involved is attained.

DUI/DWI& Traffic violations

Understanding your rights is crucial when facing DUI, DWI, and other traffic-related violation charges. Speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible will help you achieve the best possible results. The team of experts at Bauer and Karch is always ready to assist you and will tailor your defense to your specific charges to ensure your rights are protected.

Complimentary Initial Consultation

Fill out this form or call us at 908-236-8204 to schedule a free consultation with our team.


Why Clients Choose Us

Full-Service Family Law Firm

Your family’s legal matters deserve the services of an experienced law firm that will explore all the possible options and outcomes for your case. Whether through alternative dispute resolution or in court, our compassionate New Jersey attorneys are committed to protecting you and your loved ones.

Over 50 Years of Experience

The team at Bauer & Karch has the knowledge and skills to handle complex litigation, including high asset divorces, divorces with businesses, custody matters, domestic violence, and much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have the answers to all your family law related questions. If you can’t find a response to your query, don’t hesitate to contact us!

What are the steps to file for divorce?

Once you have a signed Marital Settlement Agreement, it is possible to file a Divorce Complaint and request that the Final Judgment of Divorce be entered on the papers. In other words, we are able to obtain the divorce without the parties having to appear in court.

What are the differences between sole custody, joint custody, and shared custody?

Legal custody and physical custody are two separate and distinct things. Legal custody is broken into sole and joint custody and pertains to the decision-making concerning the children’s health, education welfare, etc. Physical custody is also known as parenting time and pertains to how much time a child will be spending with each parent.

How is child support calculated?

New Jersey utilizes the Child Support Guidelines to fix child support for most but not all cases. The Court, in specific circumstances, cannot use the Guidelines. Therefore child support will be determined by factors outlined in the statute.

For how long is spousal support & maintenance paid?
The length of alimony is very fact sensitive. There are four different types of alimony; open durational, limited duration, rehabilitative, and reimbursement.
How can I obtain a temporary restraining order?

If it is during normal Superior Court hours, you will contact the Court and speak with a member of the family division/ domestic violence unit who will assist you in the process of getting before a Judge. If the incident occurs after normal Superior Court hours, you will speak with a Municipal Court judge who will hear your testimony and decide whether to grant a temporary restraining order.

How is Arbitration different from Mediation?
Arbitration is similar to litigation in that an arbitrator makes a binding decision on the unresolved issues in a manner that is similar to a judge. A mediator is a neutral who assists the parties in reaching an agreement. Collaboration is a process in which the parties agree not to litigate; instead, they explore the options with the assistance of their attorneys and other team members until they attain the best solutions for their family.
What is the best way to get in contact with you?
Through a phone call or email.
Do you practice in all of New Jersey?
We are able to practice throughout the state. However, we primarily practice in Vicinage XIII, which is comprised of Hunterdon, Warren, and Somerset counties. We also practice in neighboring counties such as Morris, Middlesex, and Mercer counties.

Testimonials

Wonderful Lawyer Working with Mr. Karch was an absolute pleasure. He was extremely patient, kind, supportive, knowledgeable, and kept us informed every step of the way. His response time was extremely quick, and he was exceptionally thorough. There were absolutely no surprises at any point during the process. If you need a lawyer, chances are you are already under some degree of stress. Aside from his legal knowledge, Mr. Karch alleviated so much of our stress by being a genuinely kind human being. I would recommend his services to anyone.
Mr. Karch is externally knowledgeable in his field of practice and offers the very best of service to his clients. The areas of family law can be very personal and emotional. However, Mr. Karch is extremely good at navigating the issues and having you feel confident and assured that your matter will be handled and represented to the fullest extent possible. I highly recommend him and his staff for any and all legal matters that may arise.


I have had a very long and positive relationship with Steven Karch – he is extremely well versed and knowledgeable in the area of Family Law. In my particular case he always counseled me with ALL the options afforded to me with extensive details. I am very grateful to have had the pleasure and opportunity to have Steve represent me in a difficult situation and come out of it in good standing overall.


Steven Karch, Esq. – consummate professional
If we had to do it all over again, it would be with Steven Karch. Mr. Karch represented my son for his very ugly divorce and myself for criminal charges related to this exceptionally nasty matrimonial situation. Many can know the letter of the law. Few seem to be able to steer clients safely past the shoals of disaster as effectively as Mr. Karch. Do not be deceived by his calm demeanor. He is a consummate negotiator, and very adept at keeping the appropriate focus for the situation in the face of terrible emotional upheaval. He does not promise pie in the sky, but very methodically sets forth actions and outcomes, then dispassionately counsels clients, keeping inflamed emotions out of the business equation. With Steven Karch’s wise counsel, my son and I survived this awful experience relatively intact, and we have made a permanent trusting association with Mr. Karch for all our legal work going forward.


I have found Mr. Karch to be extremely knowledgeable of the law. He exhibits patience, compassion and empathy; yet, in a courtroom setting, he is focused, deliberate, strategic and well within his comfort zone. Not once have I seen him outmaneuvered by his adversary.


Absolutely best family lawyer you’ll find. Not to mention over all great people. Made the experience tolerable and always had me and the kids best interest in mind. Not worried about money like most lawyers. Kept me out of court and I kept what was rightfully mine. I would give her ten stars if I could! You won’t be disappointed!

We had the misfortune of having to deal with a number of disappointing and unprofessional Attorneys – one was more incompetent than the next – but all consistently with big bills and no results . We were discouraged and hopeless . We were referred to Maryann Bauer by two of our friends who were both outstanding Attorneys in a different fields . Maryann Bauer is highly respected in her field and we were fortunate to have met her . She proved herself in the first meeting to be kind and attentive – listening and taking notes paying attention and retaining what we were actually telling her- we felt comfortable and confident and hired her to handle our disaster that was overwhelming our lives – and she did that successfully! – Maryann Bauer is one of the most forthright and respectable people we have ever met and done business with . This attorney ( and her staff ) have a way of handling themselves professionally through what can prove to be a very overwhelming , intense and disruptive life situations , on a professional level . She is unique – classy and poised – honest and motivated to attain resolution expeditiously without gauging you every step of the way and not interested in wasting time to run up your bills – ending up nowhere -which is the nightmare we found with so many other attorneys in this field. Thank you

Our Blog

Stay up to date on family law and divorce matters.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

Divorce can be a challenging and emotional process, and one of the most common questions people ask is, "How much does a divorce cost?" While it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact number, several factors can influence the overall cost of a divorce. Understanding these...

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How Long Does a Divorce Take in New Jersey?

How Long Does a Divorce Take in New Jersey?

Navigating through a divorce in New Jersey can be a complex and emotionally taxing process. One of the most common questions we encounter at Bauer & Karch Law Group is, "How long does a divorce take in New Jersey?" While there's no one-size-fits-all answer,...

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Who Keeps the House in a Divorce?

Who Keeps the House in a Divorce?

Decoding the Property Puzzle Divorce is undoubtedly a challenging and emotional journey, and amid the myriad of decisions to be made, the fate of the family home often looms large. Many people wonder who keeps the house in a divorce. It's a complex issue with no...

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27 Main Street,
Lebanon, New Jersey 08833

908-236-8204