Opinski Heidi E

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With more than 25 years of experience in family law matters, Heidi helps New York and Connecticut residents solve their family law, divorce, domestic violence and property law challenges.
Learn more about Heidi's practice.

Heidi's family law services and experience range from uncontested and amicable divorces and legal separations which can often be settled through negotiations, mediation, collaborative law and other alternative dispute resolutions to complex, high-net worth and highly disputed divorces. She has litigated dozens of cases in court and is skilled both in facilitating agreements between separating spouses and fighting for her clients' maintenance, custody, visitation and property rights in court.
A certified mediator in family law cases in the State of New York, Heidi represents clients in the full spectrum of family law needs, starting with pre- and post-nuptial agreements prior to marriage and extending into the myriad of issues surrounding a divorce, including alimony and spousal support, child custody and support (including for special needs children), parental alienation, education rights and custody visitation rights. She also assists with post-divorce modifications, such as child support modifications, when circumstances warrant. Additionally, she serves as an advocate for clients when they confront issues related to domestic violence, including assaults, and spousal abuse and helps handle matters with child protective services.
Heidi also assists in the management of both low- and high-asset marital property divisions in divorce with the goal of equitable distribution of assets. She works closely with skilled forensic accountants to uncover hidden assets and potential marital fraud. She has conducted enhanced earning analyses involving 401(k) accounts, IRAs, deferred compensation, retirement and investment accounts (QDROs), stock options, hedge funds, license valuations (in New York), residences, appreciation and royalties. Her work in this area is extensive and involves forensic asset identification, including investigations and discovery aimed at family business owners and the valuation and division of assets and hidden values of business ownership and professional practices in divorce.
She also tackles the effects of bankruptcy on divorce as well as tax issues related to divorce, including tax alternatives to support payments and discussions on pre- and post-tax strategies to maximize the financial benefit to both parties. And she assists with college funding issues that may arise for divorced spouses with children.
Heidi's practice also includes various niche services, such as assistance with step-parent adoption, adult adoption, grandparents' rights, pet custody and special education law, as well as domestic partnerships and same sex relationships. She also guides clients with sensitive issues such as dating during divorce.
Before Fox Rothschild
Prior to joining the firm, Heidi operated a New York City and Westchester County family and matrimonial practice. She also practiced in a Connecticut-based family law and litigation firm.
She has previously served as a consultant to a national accounting firm on litigation and related family law matters and as special counsel in two New York state law firms.
Heidi's prior experience also includes serving as Guardian Ad Litem and Special Attorney for the Honorable Samuel G. Fredman of the Supreme Court of Westchester County. Additionally, she was a legislative liaison for Governor William O'Neill in the State of Connecticut and Office of Policy and Management, a legislative intern for Congressman William R. Cotter and a legal intern for the Honorable Chief Justice J. Chesoni and Magistrate Effy O'Wor of the Supreme Court of Nairobi, Kenya.
Beyond Fox Rothschild
Heidi has served as teaching assistant in the Department of Philosophy at St. Lawrence University. She has been a lecturer for the Nassau County Bar Association and for the Litigation Committee of the New York State of Certified Public Accountants as well as for the Domestic Relations Law Review of Westchester County Bar Association.

Bicknell v. Bicknell, 631 N.Y.S.2d 78 (2d Dept. 1995)
Faranda v. Dolan, New York Law Journal, Front Page (November 1997)
Honors and Awards

Trial Skills Participant, New York Trial Lawyers (2000)
Participant in the Preparation of Legal Treatise Related to the Aged and Mental Hygiene Law Reforms of New York (1984)

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District of Columbia Bar Association
Fairfield County Bar Association (Committee Co-Chair, Women in Law Committee)