Law Office of Ellen B Holtzman

I think Ellen and her team are nice people but this isn’t about character. Divorce lawyers should be measured by their win-loss record, like head coaches of sports teams. For me, Ellen is 0-1. We had a good game plan but she really wasn’t able to execute when it mattered most. I’m the George Steinbrenner of divorcees. I spared no expense because I wanted whatever the court equivalent of a ticker tape parade is with full custody of my children to boot. There’s winners, and there’s the Law Office of Ellen Holtzman.

Just after college I met and married Rose. I hoped we would have a happily ever after and I truly tried my best to make that happen. I worked hard and made good money. We had four children, but my wife made me do everything. She never worked during the marriage, and that was fine with me because we didn’t need the money. However, I always hoped she would take more interest in the kids and our home, but it never happened. Year after year, I was the one who got up to make breakfast and the school lunches for the kids before I went to work. Over time, Rose and I grew apart and I realized that I was carrying everything on my back. I never felt like I had a partner. We tried counselling but nothing changed. Finally, after nearly 20 years, I decided to get a divorce. I asked friends about divorce lawyers and the Law Office of Ellen Holtzman came highly recommended. After the initial consult I asked Ellen to send the divorce papers to Rose. I was always generous to Rose and the kids, but she was never satisfied. It was never enough, even when I willingly gave her above and beyond what the court ordered. Since the divorce became final seven years ago, she has taken me to court for extra support more than 20 times over issues that lack any validity. She seems to do it just to waste everybody’s time because the judges never find in her favor. I used to wonder why Ellen kept such a detailed paper trail about everything, all the correspondence back and forth. Honestly, I didn’t think a lot of it was necessary. But later, dragged into court year after year by my ex, I saw the point. When the judge had a question, Ellen always had the answer, and she always had the documents to prove everything. Proof that all the checks and the letters had been received, proof that the checks were deposited, and receipts showing that the money being sought for needed items had already been paid. Now happily remarried to a woman who is a true partner, I want to say that you can rely on Ellen and her team. They have been there for me every time I needed them. With Ellen, I had the best and she changed my life. Also want to say, Meryl was very kind and helpful to me. The office functioned as a really good team and I feel so lucky to have had them all on my side.

I had been hoping and praying for ten years that I could save my marriage. A traumatic event in my husband's life led to his abuse of alcohol, drugs, and eventually me and our two girls. I had a good job at a leading financial institution in New York, but all of the happiness was being drained from our lives. Before long, both our young daughters had begin abusing drugs. They were acting out their anger and depression in other heartbreaking ways, too. despite all this, I continued to try to make the marriage work for ten long years. A faithful Catholic, I rejected the very idea of divorce. But I finally realized that my marriage was hopeless, and my life was a shambles. My insistence on trying to save the marriage was destroying the ones I lived the most, the ones who most deserved my love--my children. As the violence escalated, a therapist referred me to Ellen Holtzman. Ellen moved immediately to get me an Order of Protection. My husband had long since stopped being a husband or father, but he fought the divorce. Ellen and her staff were so caring and so good to me. Ellen guided me every step of the way. We spent long hours after my work day was over with thousands of sheets of paper. I always felt like I was her top priority. She knew what I would need to take care of the girls, and she created the best possible scenario for us. Just walking through the courthouse with Ellen, I could see how well liked and respected she is, and I felt like a million dollars. Ultimately, I got full legal and physical custody, and Ellen helped me to see my way clear to a better future. It hasn't been all smooth sailing, but we are working to build that future now, and I am so grateful to Ellen, and to the therapist who led me to Ellen Holtzman and this new life.

I was 54 years old and I truly believed that my wife and I had a good marriage. We had a beautiful home and 2 healthy and bright grown children and they were both doing well. I think now that my ex-wife must have just got tired of being married. I was stunned when, only a few days after or 25th anniversary, she said she wanted to separate. She left our home saying she would be back. I stayed in the house, but after 3 years of living apart, I learned she was dating. I had had a good experience with a leading personal injury lawyer a few years before so I called him to ask if he could handle my divorce. Unfortunately, he did not handle divorces, but he did say "If I needed a divorce lawyer, I'd go to Ellen Holtzman." At our first meeting, Ellen explained the divorce laws in NYS. Step by step, she took me through what would happen, and everything did happen as she had explained. Some of the laws didn't seem fair to me, especially since I felt I had done nothing to deserve what was happening in my life, but at every point I felt Ellen achieved the most possible for me under the law. She and her staff were very professional, and always got back to me quickly. At a lot of our meetings, I went in feeling upset, but I always went away feeling better. Ellen helped me see that things would get better, and they have. After the divorce was finalized, it was like a big weight being lifted off my shoulders. And besides being a good lawyer, she's a nice person. She always asked how my kids were doing, and that meant a lot to me. How can I sum up what I feel about Ellen Holtzman? She's great.

I am happy I used the Law office of Ellen B. Holtzman to represent me in my divorce. Ms. Holtzman and her staff are very welcoming; they answer your messages in a reasonable time and are kind to work around your schedule. She and Cristina Campolo, Esq. gave wise advise and the timing with the paper work, stipulation was pretty fast.