Practice Area:Child Custody & Visitation, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce, Family
Jessica L. Toelstedt joined her firm in 2012 and was named partner by 2016. Ms. Toelstedt’s practice focuses on mediation, collaborative law and litigation of Family Law matters. Ms. Toelstedt also specializes in drafting Pre- and Postnuptial Agreements for high-net-worth individuals.
Ms. Toelstedt began her career focusing on litigating matrimonial matters and since then has appeared regularly in Supreme and Family Courts throughout New York City and the surrounding areas. Ms. Toelstedt has also handed appellate matters and argued the landmark case Fields v. Fields in the Appellate Division of the First Department.
After having spent nearly the first half of her career litigating matrimonial matters, Ms. Toelstedt expanded her practice to include process choices that can address family matters outside of court, without litigation. Ms. Toelstedt has been trained as a mediator by The Center for Understanding in Conflict and regularly mediates all matters related to marriage and family law, including prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, separations, divorces, and post-divorce/separation issues.
Ms. Toelstedt has also been trained in collaborative law by The New York Association of Collaborative Law Professionals and regularly represents clients who wish to obtain a divorce or separation using the Collaborative Law Process, utilizing a formal participation agreement.
Ms. Toelstedt also offers her clients services as a consulting attorney, for when they are pursuing the mediation process with an outside mediator. Sometimes clients do not feel that they are a good fit for mediation or the Collaborative Law Process, and in those instances, Ms. Toelstedt will provide direct representation to her clients with the goal of reaching a resolution outside of court.
Areas of Focus
Divorce Litigation
Divorce Negotiation
Pre & Postnuptial Agreements
Divorce Mediation
Equitable Distribution
Marital Agreements
Spousal Support
Child Custody & Support
Paternity
Appeals
Education
University at Buffalo School of Law, 2005
University at Buffalo, Bachelor of Arts (BA), Legal Studies, 2002
Admissions
New York State, 2006
Professional Memberships
New York Association of Collaborative Professionals
New York State Bar Association
New York State Women’s Bar Association
Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York – Board Member, 2020 to present
