David Carton, Co-Chairs the Firm’s Matrimonial and Family Law practice group. He is a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney and has practiced Family Law since 1995 regularly appearing before Family Court Judges throughout New Jersey. He represents clients in all aspects of Family Law, including prenuptial agreements, divorce, dissolution of civil unions, domestic violence, custody, parenting time, child support, alimony, issues between same sex and non-married couples and division of assets and liabilities. He has authored numerous articles, has been quoted in national publications and lectured for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on family law issues.

As of May 2007, David has been Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney.

David is a Court Qualified Mediator and in this role has successfully mediated numerous high-conflict matters, both economic as well as custody and parenting time.  He is selected by judges and many of his peers to mediate highly contested matters.

As an animal lover David also represents clients relating to disputes regarding pets as part of matrimonial matters and non-matrimonial matters.

He is an Early Settlement Panelist and Blue-Ribbon Early Settlement Panelist.

David was honored to be awarded the 2019 Essex County Bar Association – Family Law Practice Award. David has also been recognized to the Best Lawyers list since 2020 and from 2020-2022 David was named to the New Jersey Super Lawyers List.*

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the American Bar Association. A description of the standard or methodology used by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers can be found on their respective websites.

  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • Essex County Bar Association
  • Family Law Executive Committee
  • Co-Chair of the Essex County Family Bench Bar Committee
  • Middlesex County Bar Association

These stories are successful case results from our attorneys. Please note that results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Panelist, Continuing Legal Education Seminars

  • State of New Jersey, 1994
  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1994
  • U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1994

  • New England School of Law, J.D. Managing Business Editor of The Law Journal, 1994
  • American University, B.A., 1991

Navigating Gray Divorce: A Look at the Rising Trend of Divorce Over the Age of 50

October 30, 2023

As Certified Matrimonial and Family Law attorney David Carton will tell you, “The color that pervades his area of law the most is gray. There are very few black and white and every case is fact sensitive.” In his latest blog, he looks at another “gray” area known as “gray divorces.” This concept of “gray divorce” refers to divorce over the age of 50, a subset of the population that is divorcing at a higher rate than ever before.

Video: Gray Divorce

October 9, 2023

David Carton, Co-Chair of our Matrimonial and Family Law practice, dives into the intricate world of Grey Divorce, where individuals over 50 navigate the challenges of parting ways. From reevaluating retirement plans and extended alimony considerations to financial intricacies and evolving family dynamics, he will explore the unique facets that shape this journey.

A Look at Temporary Restraining Orders

October 3, 2023

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to unite and support victims and survivors of abuse. New Jersey has one of the strongest Domestic Violence laws in the United States. It offers victims of domestic violence immediate protection, and if restraints are made permanent, the Final Restraining Order is extremely difficult to get lifted […]

Understanding the Often-Complex Legal Process in Domestic Violence Cases

October 17, 2022

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it’s important to take a moment to understand what domestic violence is and look at what can often be a complex legal process. What is Domestic Violence? According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or […]

Family Law Alert: NJ Supreme Court Modified Court Rules and Procedures

March 30, 2020

March 30, 2020 By David S. Carton and Lynne Strober In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, the New Jersey Supreme Court has entered an Order substantially modifying our Court Rules and Procedures. We will continue to stay on top of any changes, but we thought the portions that apply to the Family Part would be […]

5 Tips for Co-Parents Navigating Through COVID-19 Issues in New Jersey

March 20, 2020

The spread of COVID-19 has created a stressful dynamic for many divorced co-parents in New Jersey, as well as couples who are in the process of getting divorced. During this difficult time, you may be dealing with crucial issues of custody, parenting time, communication, and the enforcement and payment of support obligations.

How Much Does Divorce Cost?

March 4, 2020

David S. Carton, Co-Chair of Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group, was quoted in a Fox Business article about the cost of divorce.

Family Law Practice Update on New Decision About Children's Student Loans and Marital Separation Agreements

August 12, 2018

Our Family Law Practice Group takes great pride in keeping you informed of the latest family and matrimonial law decisions. There is a recent unpublished Appellate Division decision that we wanted to make you aware of that is causing significant discussions among family law practitioners. While unpublished decisions are not considered precedent setting, they can be provided to a Court for consideration in like cases. This particular decision involves whether or not children can be required to obtain and be responsible for student loans as part of a Matrimonial Settlement Agreement. Read on to see what the Appellate Court said in MFW v. GO.

18 of our attorneys have been selected for the 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers® list, and 5 were named to the 2024 New Jersey Rising Stars® list.

March 25, 2024

Mandelbaum Barrett PC is delighted to share that 18 of our attorneys have been selected for the 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers® list, and 5 were named to the 2024 New Jersey Rising Stars® list. We are proud to work alongside such an exceptional team. Special shout out to Andy R. Bronsnick for making the Top […]

Retirement Assets in Divorce: QDROs with David S. Carton

March 18, 2024

Join us on April 10th from 1:00 PM to 4:35 PM for a comprehensive examination of retirement asset allocation in divorce. Gain insights from David S. Carton and James Myers on navigating this vital facet of family law. Earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits. RSVP now!

Family Law Co-Chairs Lynne Strober and David Carton Author “Preserving Marital Assets and Judicial Economy During Divorce” for the New Jersey Law Journal

January 23, 2024

One of the roles of a family law attorney is to play defense with respect to dissipation of a marital estate during a divorce. In many cases, the family law attorney is concerned with limiting the spending of financial accounts for non-marital purposes during the pendency of a litigation. And in other cases, the family law practitioner’s goal is to prevent the sale or encumbering of real estate while the litigation is ongoing.

22 Attorneys Named to 2024 Best Lawyers List

August 17, 2023

Mandelbaum Barrett PC is proud to announce that 22 lawyers were recognized to the 2024 Best Lawyers list. At Mandelbaum Barrett PC, we have always strived for excellence and have consistently sought to uphold the highest standards of legal practice. This recognition serves as a reminder of our ongoing mission to provide unparalleled legal representation […]

21 Mandelbaum Barrett PC Attorneys Named to 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers Lists

May 11, 2023

Congratulations to the Mandelbaum Barrett PC attorneys selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers & Rising Stars lists that were just announced today. We think our team is pretty super too! Learn more about this award and the methodology used by Thomson Reuters here. No aspect of this award or advertisement has been approved by […]

Mandelbaum Barrett PC is proud to announce 17 of our attorneys have been named to the Best Lawyers in America 2023 list.

August 18, 2022

15 years of recognition: Barry R. Mandelbaum, Steven Adler, Jeffrey M Rosenthal and Michael Saffer 10 years of recognition: Jeffrey Cappola, Gordon C. Duus, Arthur D. Grossman, Owen T. Hughes and Barry Schwartz William Barrett, David Carton, Damian Conforti, Rebecca Frino, Raj Gadhok, Martin D. Hauptman, Esq., Steven Holt and Lynne Strober *No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the American […]

Mandelbaum Barrett PC is pleased to announce that fourteen of our attorneys have been selected by their peers to the New Jersey Super Lawyers List* for 2022. 

March 17, 2022

Steven Adler, Michael Bevacqua, Andrew Bronsnick (**10th year as Super Lawyer and on the Top 100 list), Arla D. Cahill, David Carton, Damian Conforti, Doug Eilender, Raj Gadhok, Arthur Grossman, Barry Mandelbaum, Richard Miller, Michael Saffer, Robert C. Scrivo, Lynne Strober. In addition, the Firm is excited to announce that four of our attorneys were named to the Rising Stars list for 2022, which recognizes the top up-and-coming […]

14 Mandelbaum Barrett PC attorneys named to the 2022 Super Lawyers List as well as 4 named to Rising Stars list

March 17, 2022

Mandelbaum Barrett PC is pleased to announce that fourteen of our attorneys have been selected by their peers as New Jersey Super Lawyers* for 2022. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state of New Jersey are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. In addition, the Firm is excited to announce that four of our attorneys were named to the Rising Stars list for 2022, which recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys age 40 or under or who are in practice for 10 years or less. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Family Law Co-Chairs David Carton, Esq. and Lynne Strober, Esq. have co-authored an article in the New Jersey Law Journal titled "50-50 Parenting Time: Should It Be the Law"

January 14, 2022

Mandelbaum Barrett PC Family Law Co-Chairs David Carton, Esq. and Lynne Strober, Esq. have co-authored an article in the January 13th, 2022 issue of New Jersey Law Journal titled "50-50 Parenting Time: Should It Be the Law?" with contributions from Vito Colasurdo, Jr. and Rebecca Frino.

15 Mandelbaum Barrett PC Attorneys Selected for the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America

August 20, 2020

15 Mandelbaum Barrett PC Attorneys Selected for the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America The latest edition of The Best Lawyers in America includes fifteen Mandelbaum Barrett PC attorneys, representing a wide cross-section of the firm’s full-service capabilities, including commercial litigation, employment law, family law, white collar criminal defense, real estate, tax, bankruptcy […]

David Carton Quoted In NJ.com Article On Four Mistakes To Avoid If You're Filing For Divorce

January 28, 2020

David Carton, Co-Chair of the Firm's Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group, was quoted in a recent article for NJ.com on 4 mistakes to avoid if you're filing for a divorce. Read more here.

David Carton Interviewed by Sarah Lee Kessler from NBC News Radio on "Divorce Month"

January 16, 2020

David Carton, Co-Chair of our Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group was interviewed by Sarah Lee Kessler, Health Anchor from NBC News Radio on why January is dubbed "Divorce Month." Click here to listen to the full interview.

David Carton to Speak at "Family Law Trial Skills Development Series" Presented by the Middlesex County Bar Association

January 8, 2020

Join David Carton, Co-Chair of our Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group and a panel of legal experts for "Family Law Trial Skills Development Series" presented by the Middlesex County Bar Association. This is a 4-part series that is eligible for 3.5 hours of total CLE credit for each session. To learn more or to register, click here.

Thirteen Mandelbaum Barrett PC Attorneys Recognized By Their Peers In Best Lawyers in America© 2020

August 15, 2019

We are proud to announce that thirteen of our attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 edition. In addition, Barry Mandelbaum has been recognized as Lawyer of the Year in Real Estate Law. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers© has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Many of the below attorneys have been listed in this publication for over ten years. *No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the American Bar Association. To learn more about Best Lawyers, visit www.bestlawyers.com/methodology

David Carton Answers an NJ.com Reader's Question about Marital Settlement Agreements

June 24, 2019

David Carton, Co-Chair of Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group recently answered an NJ.com reader's question about Marital, Settlement, Agreements and what happens to house sale funds if a spouse passes away prior to the sale?

David Carton Spoke at NJAPM's Annual Civil and Divorce Mediation Seminar

June 18, 2019

On June 15, David Carton, Co-Chair of Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Family Law Practice Group, spoke at the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators Annual Civil and Divorce Mediation Seminar on how alimony is viewed after January 1st where it is no longer taxable to the recipient and deductible to the payor.

David Carton to Speak at NJSBA Program on Understanding Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

November 13, 2018

David Carton, Co-Chair of Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group, will be speaking at "Understanding Qualified Domestic Relations Orders" presented by the New Jersey State Bar Association on November 28 in West Orange and on December 14 in Mt. Laurel. Click here to learn more about this program and to register.

Lynne Strober and David Carton Discuss Post-Complaint Earnings in a NJLJ Article

September 25, 2018

Family Law Co-Chairs Lynne Strober and David Carton discuss post-complaint earnings and the marital lifestyle's effect on alimony in a New Jersey Law Journal article. Click here to read more.

Family Law Co-Chair David Carton's Advice on Prenuptial Agreements in Forbes Article

July 23, 2018

Check out David Carton's advice on #prenuptialagreements in the #Forbes article "Read This Before You Sign a Prenuptial Agreement." David is Co-Chair of the Firm's #FamilyLaw practice group and a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney.

David Carton Answers Nj.Com Biz Brain Readers Questions on Dealing with Credit Issues During Divorce

October 16, 2017

David Carton, a Member in the Firm's Matrimonial & Family Law Practice Group and a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney, was recently asked to answer a question posed by a nj.com Biz Brain reader on what to consider for your credit before you file for divorce. You can read David's answer here: