Experienced, Trusted Legal Representation For Family, Divorce and Criminal Matters in Rhode Island.
Susan T. Perkins is an experienced attorney specialized in Divorce, Family and Criminal Law with offices in Providence and Newport, Rhode Island and licensed to practice law in Rhode Island. Make an Appointment
Divorce Lawyer in Providence, Rhode Island
Law Offices of Susan T. Perkins Esq. Specializes in Divorce, Family Law in RI.
While Susan takes great pride in the success of her many divorce and family law cases, it’s not her only area of practice. She’s also provided outstanding results and legal representation for clients dealing with DUI’s, criminal charges, LGBTQ rights, and gun trusts.
Why Hire Providence Divorce Attorney Susan T. Perkins
Rhode Island Attorney Susan T. Perkins has over twenty years of experience. She has worked with hundreds of clients to get them the results they need in their Rhode Island cases. Because of her dedication to her clients she has been recognized nationally as one of the top attorneys in client satisfaction. If you need a RI Divorce Attorney, Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer, LGBT Lawyer or DUI Lawyer you are in the right place.
Tri-State Licensure: Susan T. Perkins holds legal licensure in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, allowing her to extend her legal expertise and services to clients across a wide geographical region and navigate the legal complexities of multiple jurisdictions.
Versatile Expertise: Susan's practice encompasses a range of legal specializations, including Divorce, Family, and Criminal Law. Her versatility enables her to address an array of legal challenges and offer holistic solutions to clients with diverse legal needs.
Personalized Client Advocacy: Susan is deeply committed to advocating for her clients and their best interests. Her practice is centered on delivering customized legal strategies and seeking the most favorable outcomes for her clients in every case.
Empathetic and Communicative Counsel: Susan approaches her legal representation with empathy and attentiveness. She prioritizes open communication and collaboration with her clients, creating an environment where they feel supported and empowered throughout the legal journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Rhode Island
Yes, Rhode Island is a no-fault divorce state. Here’s what that means:
Some people are led to believe that a no-fault divorce means that the separation of assets gets split right down the middle and each party gets half of what was accumulated throughout the marriage. This is not the case. No-fault simply means that in order to file for a divorce in Rhode Island, you don't have to prove grounds of fault. You can say there are “irreconcilable differences” and both parties have agreed to take responsibility for the marriage coming to an end.
There are a few minimal requirements to file for a no-fault divorce in Rhode Island. These are:
Both spouses must have been living in Rhode Island for more than one year before the divorce.
Irreconcilable differences have caused the marriage to be beyond repair,
OR you and your spouse have been living separately for more than three years.
Mediation is the process of working with a legal expert and neutral third-party (referred to as a mediator) who helps a couple reach a compromise on the terms and conditions of their divorce. Here are a few benefits of going down the path of mediation:
Economical for both sides
Quicker settlements
More predictable and collaborative than a trial
Less hostile than going through the courts
Includes comprehensive agreements that more likely lead to compliance on both sides
While mediation can be a positive, effective, and amicable way of handling a divorce, it’s also not for everyone. If you believe that you’re ready to learn more about mediation for your divorce, contact Susan T. Perkins Rhode Island divorce attorney today.
Yes. The spouse must be served by a local sheriff or constable. Normally, this will be handled by your lawyer’s office. A copy of the papers must also be filed with the sheriff’s office.
After the complaint is filed, the clerk will schedule a court date for approximately 75 days afterward. In some cases, the judge may waive the waiting period. To do this, both parties must sign a waiver stating there is no chance of reconciliation.
Yes. If the grounds are “irreconcilable differences”, there is a waiting period of 90 days after your court appearance. If the grounds are living “separate and apart for at least 3 years” there is a 21 day waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Rhode Island Family Law
It’s strongly advised to seek out a Rhode Island family law attorney to form a prenuptial agreement if you’re about to get married. Some believe that prenuptial agreements are only for wealthy people with multiple properties and valuable assets. However, more and more people of all socioeconomic levels are choosing to have prenuptial agreements. Susan T. Perkins is a Rhode Island family law attorney who can help you to formulate the terms and conditions of a potential separation and help to protect your financial future. To learn more about how a prenuptial agreement can benefit you, contact our law firm today.
It’s important to work closely with a Rhode Island family lawyer to know if you’re eligible to get your marriage annulled. In order to obtain an annulment, you have to prove that your marriage shouldn’t have existed in the first place. For instance, in cases of fraud, incest, bigamy, or marriage by force, annulments are entirely possible. Annulments will usually involve religion in some way because you’re also dissolving the marriage in the eyes of the church as well. The annulment procedures can be complex and sometimes difficult to resolve. That’s why you need a Rhode Island family law attorney with experience handling annulment cases. To learn more about annulments and how they’re obtained, contact Susan T. Perkins today.
The primary goal of a Rhode Island family law court is to provide the opportunity for the parents to decide where their child will live, how their child will spend their time, where they’ll celebrate holidays, and spend their vacations. In cases where parents are facing an amicable divorce and they can agree on the arrangements of child custody, they will ultimately be the ones who decide the terms and conditions of child custody.
However, in other cases, where mediation is unsuccessful and there is a highly contested divorce, it can be difficult for parents to agree on even the simplest of terms of child custody. When parents cannot agree on child custody arrangements, their case will likely go to court and a judge will be the one to make child custody decisions. If you’re facing a divorce with a child or children involved, it’s vital to work with a Rhode Island family law attorney that specializes in child custody cases. Contact Susan T. Perkins today to discuss your child custody case.
A family court judge will base this decision on several different factors and ultimately decide on what’s in the best interest of the child, such as the age of the child, the willingness of each parent to care for the child, the mental health and physical health of both parents, histories of drug or alcohol abuse in either household, the presence of extended family or siblings, and many other variables that contribute to the overall wellness of the child.
In Rhode Island, it’s the responsibility of both parents to provide care and financial security for their child. These responsibilities are typically broken down between the custodial parent and the non-custodial parent. The non-custodial parent is the one who spends less time with the child, which means they will be the parent making the child support payments. Since a child spends the majority of their time with a custodial parent, this parent directly supports the child due to the nature of their living arrangement.
The amount of child support paid will be determined after the Rhode Island Family Court reviews several different elements, such as joint income, the child’s needs, their lifestyle before the divorce, and other important factors. Once a child support order is determined, the non-custodial parent is legally obligated to commit to these payments until the child reaches the age of maturity or until a modified order is approved by a judge. Of course, this is just a brief description of how a child support order is established by Rhode Island law. To hear more specific details on child support laws or how a child support order will affect you, contact our law firm today to speak with child support lawyer Susan T. Perkins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Offenses in Rhode Island
If you’ve been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor in Rhode Island, there are a few things you can expect. After an arrest, you’ll be processed at the police station, and eventually charged with a crime in a District court. It’s absolutely critical to request to speak with a criminal defense attorney at this stage if you haven’t spoken with one yet. Remember that it is your right to have a proper defense and legal representation. Next, you’ll be given an arraignment hearing. This is when you appear before a judge and plead not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere. Once a judge accepts your plea and your bail is set, you’ll be given a date for your pretrial hearing. It is never advised to attend an arraignment hearing without a lawyer.
At your pre-trial meeting, your criminal defense attorney will be given details of your arrest from the prosecutor. These details will include things like the police report, who was present at the time of the arrest, witness statements, details of any physical evidence, and anything else related to your criminal charges. At your pre-trial meeting, you’ll collaborate with your criminal defense lawyer to create the best defense strategy for your case. This may take only one meeting, or multiple pre-trial meetings depending on how complex your case is and what your criminal charges are. Your lawyer may decide that your charges should be dropped or will attempt to work with the prosecution and negotiate on your behalf for the best possible option. If there’s no resolution in sight, your attorney may advise you that your best option is to go to trial. At your trial, your Rhode Island criminal defense attorney will challenge the prosecution’s case and provide your side of the story. Finally, a judge or jury will decide on a verdict after hearing both sides.
Yes, it is possible to have criminal charges dropped in Rhode Island -- but the chances of getting criminal charges dropped is greater when you’re working with a skilled criminal defense attorney with experience. Our goal is to always have our client’s criminal cases dismissed or charges dropped whenever possible. Criminal defense lawyer Susan T. Perkins also works aggressively to lessen punishments and penalties, if a dismissal is not possible. To discuss your case and learn more about the potential of having your charges dropped, contact our law firm today.
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you’ll be dealing with one of the three levels of offenses, which are petty misdemeanors (sometimes referred to as infractions), misdemeanors, and felonies.
Petty Misdemeanor or Infraction: A petty misdemeanor or infraction is the lowest level of offense in Rhode Island. Examples of petty misdemeanors are traffic violations, disorderly conduct, littering, or public indecency. Common penalties for petty misdemeanors can include fines of up to $500 or six months or less in jail.
Misdemeanor: A misdemeanor is more serious than a petty misdemeanor but less serious than a felony. Examples of misdemeanors may include simple assault and battery, trespassing, shoplifting, possession of illegal drugs, vandalism, reckless driving, or indecent exposure. Common penalties for misdemeanors can include expensive fines and up to 1 year in jail.
Felony: A felony is the most serious type of criminal charge you can face. Examples of felonies include arson, burglary, rape, murder, kidnapping, breaking and entering, or forgery. Penalties for felonies can range significantly depending on the crime. If you’re charged with a felony, your case will be handled in a superior court and you can face multiple years in prison.
Some people believe that simple infractions, like traffic violations, don’t require legal representation. However, the consequences of even the simplest crimes can result in huge obstacles in your life such as expensive fines, loss of a license, or an inability to apply for loans or jobs. Remember to contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately if you’ve been charged with a petty misdemeanor, a misdemeanor, or a felony. Contact criminal defense lawyer Susan T. Perkins today to learn more about the extent of your criminal charges.
No matter what your criminal charges are, Susan T. Perkins is your best defense. Our law firm handles all Rhode Island criminal cases such as domestic violence charges, assault, trespassing, drug crimes, DUI’s, burglary, rape, or homicide. There’s no criminal offense that we won’t defend. Remember that our law office doesn’t take a “wait and see” approach with criminal charges. No matter what your criminal charge is or how severe it appears to be, Rhode Island criminal defense attorney Susan T. Perkins should be your first point of contact. Always keep in mind that the sooner you call, the better your results will be. If you’re concerned about the type of crime you’ve been accused of, or if you have questions about a defense strategy for your case, call our law office today to learn more.
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Customer Reviews
What Customers Are Saying
We've has Susan as an attorney on a very difficult case for over a year. From our initial consultation , through our trial, she has consistently set the bar. She has remained in contact , remained positive & extremely supportive. She consistently returns text/emails. Very personable, and trustworthy. She works on our case as if it were her own.She is our beacon of hope. I highly recommend her to friends & family, and will absolutely be using her for all of our future needs. Couldn't have asked for a better attorney!
Shane Adams - December 30, 2017
What Customers Are Saying
I was referred to Susan by an Attorney that only specializes in one area of the judicial system, for a separate matter. Well after that so called professional made a disaster out of my family court case , once I used Susan in Massachusetts court my lawyer was fired and Susan took over and straightend my original family court case out. Susan has always worked with me on the financial aspect of representing my family. And Susan does know the importance of your children and your bond when representing you in family court . Very easy to contact and always returns calls and text continuously. Thank you Susan we will continue to win as a team.
Jason, Vinny and Leah Carotenuti 9-12-17
What Customers Are Saying
Professional, empathetic and goes above and beyond for her clients. I know this from my personal experience and from the several friends I have referred to her. Experienced and skillful negotiator and litigator.
Kimberly Moore - August 28, 2016
What Customers Are Saying
I was so blessed to find Attorney Perkins, she made me feel that my heart will heal in time and she will help me through this and then I can start my new chapter in my life. I would highly recommend her to anyone that really wants someone down hearted and comforting at the same time. If you’re needing a lawyer she’s the women for you.
Diane Catino
What Customers Are Saying
Susan was my 3rd attorney in a very nasty/difficult divorce. She was amazingly accessible, empathetic and most of all competent and professional. Susan did for me what no other attorney could do. The whole time I felt protected and confident that Susan would fight hard for me- which she did! The opposing attorney was extremely unprofessional and so very difficult to work with- Susan handled her with ease. I highly recommend Susan!!
Lori Hitzelberger Moncada
Supporting The Fight: Breast and Skin Cancer Awareness
RI Criminal Defense Lawyer Susan T. Perkins is a supporter of the fight
against breast cancer. While Susan T. Perkins dedicates her time and energy to her clients, she has dedicated her practice to support the fight against breast cancer. One of Susan’s greatest mentors was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. Susan’s law practice work is in memory of her mentor – Susan Wellin.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter. Also, the Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any field of practice.