Morris James LLP

Morris James LLP's Family Law Practice stands as Delaware's preeminent family law firm, recognized by Best Lawyers as the #1 family law practice in the state for many consecutive years and ranked in the top tier by Chambers and Partners for handling high-net-worth family and matrimonial matters. Based in the Wilmington area with offices throughout Delaware, Morris James brings over twenty-five years of family law experience through partner and chair of the Family Law Practice, Gretchen S. Knight.

Gretchen S. Knight's leadership of Morris James' Family Law Practice reflects her extraordinary expertise and client service record. With more than twenty-five years of dedicated family law practice, Knight has guided hundreds of Delaware families through divorce proceedings, custody disputes, and property division. Her recognition as Best Lawyers' choice for Delaware family law reflects peer recognition and client satisfaction.

The firm's consistent ranking as Delaware's #1 family law practice by Best Lawyers reflects institutional excellence and sustained client satisfaction. Best Lawyers rankings, determined by peer review among practicing attorneys, indicate that legal professionals recognize Morris James as the state's leading family law practitioners. This peer recognition provides strong evidence of legal competence and professional integrity.

Chambers and Partners' top-tier ranking for high-net-worth family law matters reflects Morris James' particular expertise with sophisticated divorces involving substantial assets. High-net-worth divorces involve distinctive challenges: complex asset valuations, business interests, tax planning, deferred compensation arrangements, and multi-jurisdictional property holdings. Morris James' top-tier ranking indicates recognized expertise in these sophisticated matters.

Morris James' comprehensive family law services address all dimensions of family law: traditional divorce proceedings including property division and alimony, custody and visitation arrangements, child support calculations, paternity actions, termination of parental rights (for situations where adoption or other permanent arrangements are necessary), step-parent adoption cases, guardianship proceedings, and marital and prenuptial agreements.

The firm's collaborative divorce services reflect modern family law practice. Collaborative divorce involves both parties and their respective lawyers committing to settlement without litigation. This process, when successful, allows families to resolve disputes more efficiently and cost-effectively than litigation while maintaining greater control over outcomes. Morris James' collaborative law capabilities mean clients can explore this approach before committing to contested court proceedings.

Delaware's unique corporate law prominence makes the state an important hub for business and legal practice. Many Delaware residents own businesses or hold complex financial interests. When these business-owning divorcing spouses separate, sophisticated business valuation and tax planning become necessary. Morris James' experience with high-net-worth matters positions it to handle these complex situations.

The firm's recognition by both Best Lawyers and Chambers and Partners—two highly respected legal ranking organizations—reflects consistent excellence. Rather than emerging from a single rating organization, Morris James' dual recognition suggests sustained professional excellence and client satisfaction across multiple evaluation contexts.

Morris James' five-office structure throughout Delaware ensures geographic accessibility. Rather than concentrating in a single location, the firm maintains presence in communities throughout the state, bringing expert family law guidance to Delaware residents wherever they live.

For Delaware residents—particularly those with substantial assets, business interests, or high-net-worth situations—Morris James LLP offers Best Lawyers' top ranking, Chambers and Partners' recognition, Gretchen S. Knight's 25-year expertise, and preeminent reputation with Delaware's judiciary. The firm's comprehensive family law services and collaborative divorce capabilities position it as the state's premier family law practice.