Family Law & Divorce
When a relationship ends, we help protect what matters most — your children, your home, and the stability you've worked to build.
Brooklyn, NY · Family Law · Juvenile Matters
Your family deserves someone steady by their side.
For over a decade, we've quietly helped Brooklyn families through their most private and difficult moments — with care, discretion, and deep local understanding.
Our story
Ten years of quiet dedication to Brooklyn families
Carter & Associates was not founded on ambition — it was founded on a need. When James Carter opened his practice on Joralemon Street in 2014, he had spent the previous decade watching families navigate the court system without enough support. Too often, people arrived at the most difficult moments of their lives without anyone truly in their corner. He wanted to change that.
Over the years, Diane Mercer joined the practice, and together they built something Brooklyn was missing: a family law firm that moves quietly. One that treats every client's situation with the privacy it deserves, every child with the care they need, and every family with the respect that comes from genuinely understanding what is at stake.
We are not a large firm. We are deliberate about that. It means every client knows their attorney, every attorney knows their client's story, and nothing falls through the cracks.
Talk to us about your situationHow we can help your family
We focus on family and juvenile law so we can go deeper — not broader. Every attorney here knows these practice areas from the inside out.
Juvenile Court Matters
When your child is involved with the court system, we stand beside your whole family — focused on their future, not just the charge.
Custody & Child Support
When parents can't agree, we help reach arrangements that are truly built around the child — not around conflict.
Estate Planning
Plan thoughtfully now so the people you love are protected and cared for — whatever comes next in life.
Situations we've helped families navigate
Not every case looks alike. Below are the kinds of situations families bring to us — and the care we bring to each one.
Contested custody disputes
When both parents love their children but cannot agree on arrangements, we help families find a resolution that genuinely centers the child — in court and out of it.
Juvenile court representation
When a young person's future is on the line, we advocate for rehabilitation, second chances, and the dignity every teenager deserves — regardless of what they're accused of.
Emergency guardianship petitions
When a child needs immediate legal protection and the system needs to move without delay, we know how to act quickly, correctly, and with the urgency the situation demands.
Fair division of family assets
When a shared life needs to be separated equitably, we help clients make clear-headed decisions under pressure — protecting their financial footing as they move forward.
People you can trust with your family's story
You will speak directly with the attorney handling your case — from the first call to the final resolution.
James R. Carter
Founding Partner — Family Law & Juvenile Matters
James spent a decade in the Brooklyn DA's office before founding this practice — not because he wanted to prosecute, but because he wanted to protect. He has sat across the table from thousands of Brooklyn families and never forgotten that behind every case is a child, a parent, or a person trying to hold something together.
Diane L. Mercer
Senior Partner — Estate Planning & Custody
Diane has spent fifteen years helping Brooklyn families plan for the future and navigate the unexpected. She approaches every matter — whether a will, a custody arrangement, or a guardianship — with the same patience: take the time to understand the family fully, then build something that actually works for them.
In their own words
"When my marriage ended unexpectedly, I had no idea where to start. Carter & Associates made me feel heard from the very first call. We got through it, and my children didn't lose either parent through that process. I believe it's because we had the right team behind us."
"My son was 16 when he got into serious trouble. I was terrified his whole future would collapse. James treated him like a person — not a case number — and we got an outcome none of us expected. He's doing well today."
"After my husband passed, I needed help with the estate and I was too overwhelmed to know where to begin. Diane was patient with me every single step of the way. I never felt rushed, and everything was handled with such care and kindness."
Let's talk about what you're facing
The first conversation is free, and there's no obligation. We'll listen, and we'll be honest about how we can help.
Schedule your free consultation
Choose a time that works for you. All appointments are confidential.
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