Karen S. Gersten

PRO

Karen S. Gersten

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 35 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at West Hartford, CT
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Mediation ... +2 more

818 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT

Virtual Consultation Available

About Karen

Biography

I'm here to help you get the results you are seeking.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 50%

35 years

50%
Child Custody 20%

20%
Child Support 10%

10%
Family 10%

10%
Mediation 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2022 2021 2019
...
+ 3
Distinguished Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Connecticut for 35 years

State: Connecticut

Acquired: 1990

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Gersten & Gersten, LLP

818 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 06119

gerstenandgersten.com/attorneys/

Karen S. Gersten's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

63 Client Reviews

Showing 11 - 15 of 36 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Charles | August 25, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Skewered For Life

Almost 20 years ago, Attorney Karen S. Gersten represented my now ex wife, to whom I had been married for almost 25 years at the time. In summary, my ex was awarded lifetime alimony in access of $20K per year, half my retirement, half my 401k, half the equity in our home, and half of my lifetime... savings. I'm now 78 years old and retired. I have been paying $20K yearly alimony for almost 20 years with no end in sight. My ex gets half of my pension, AND from what is left for me, I have to pay the alimony. My ex is now retired and is over 66 years old; so, she also receives half of my Social Security payments. As the result of this divorce, my ex is enjoying a financial windfall, while I am in financial ruins, and will be for the rest of my life All I can say to my ex and Attorney Karen S. Gersten is, "Well played!". A perfect plan was well executed. I don't know what my ex paid to be represented by Attorney Karen S. Gersten, but my my ex has collected substantially more than $400K from me since our divorce ($20K yearly times 20 years), and that amount is growing annually. My point is this. If you are seeking a divorce, and you want to skewer your husband for the rest of his life, Attorney Karen S. Gersten is the attorney you want to hire.

Posted by Kimberly | February 23, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

The only lawyer you want is Karen!

I did a lot of research before choosing an attorney and when I met Karen I knew she was going to give me the best representation. I had a very contentious divorce but I felt at ease with Karen. She knows when to put her velvet glove on and when to bring an iron fist. She’s not only a stellar attorney... but she has a heart of gold. You get the best of both worlds with Karen. She gets it done. Not alot of long talk - only facts. No game playing - only facts. She knows the law, knows how to articulate the law and will have your back all the way. She’s the one you want in your corner.

Posted by anonymous | February 15, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

I'm with her!

Karen has represented me in divorce and post-divorce matters over a five-year period. From the beginning of the process when I was confused and lost, she showed me a path forward. Through all the tedious, numerous court appearances and battles along the way to negotiating a reasonable resolution, Kar...en has consistently represented my best interests, knowing when to fight for me, when to challenge me and when to look for a resolution. I trust her judgment and her “no non-sense” advice. She has credibility with the Court, and she knows how to get things done. She is well prepared for court appearances. She is cool-headed, detail oriented and she can think on her feet. She replies promptly when I need her attention. Her office staff is pleasant, professional, helpful, and effective. I'm grateful for having her in my corner. She’ll be my attorney as long as I have to be a client!

Posted by Mike | November 09, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Excellent Experience, Great Outcome

I hired Karen to handle my divorce. She is clearly very knowledgeable, and made the process as painless as could be while getting me a great outcome. She remained calm (and helped me do the same) when my ex-wife's attorney was making things more difficult than they needed to be. She was great about f...ocusing me on the things that actually mattered for my case, while helping me ignore the parts that didn't. She thoroughly explained every step of the process, and her rationale for how we should approach it. It was clear she knew not just the legal aspects, but also the personalities involved and how to most effectively interact with them. In the end she got me a MUCH better outcome than I even thought was possible. I would recommend her without hesitation.

Posted by anonymous | October 06, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

A Standing Ovation

On May 7, 2018 the wonderful life that I thought that I had completely disintegrated. My husband of 33 years, who was in complete control of our family’s finances, revealed to me that he hadn’t filed our state or federal income taxes for the previous 3 years. Over the next month I discovered that t...he taxes were but the tip of the financial disaster iceberg. There was massive credit card debt. Our beautiful, treasured home where we lived happily and well for the last 24 years was over mortgaged and ‘under water’. There were no other assets, save one, a life insurance policy which had been heavily borrowed against. And, there was missing cash, many thousands of dollars of missing cash that my husband was withdrawing weekly. We were beyond broke. On my 67th birthday my husband confessed that the cash was being spent on drugs, cocaine that he was purchasing from a prostitute. He went into rehab for six weeks. I spent the next 2 years trying to save my husband, his job, our home, our finances, our life. This was to no avail. On March 9, 2020, he relapsed with crack cocaine. Then Covid 19 happened. It was the day before the Covid Lockdown began that I asked a dear and trusted friend if she knew of a good divorce lawyer. She offered Karen Gersten’s card. Karen and I had our first consultation meeting and every one thereafter by video. Even though separated by the wall of technology I felt heard, supported, protected and safe. Karen inspires confidence. I can not speak highly enough or praise sufficiently her professionalism and her knowledge of her craft. Karen and her office staff are personable, caring, and efficient. There have been a few instances throughout this horrific experience when I have felt that my prayers were answered. Having Karen Gersten as my attorney was one, the most important one. After a long and requiring 14 months Attorney Karen Gersten secured the best possible outcome for me in my divorce. Karen had said to me, “I can’t get you back what you’ve lost.” I knew that. It was unachievable, but I felt as though Karen really wished that she could. She came as close as humanly possible. Attorney Karen Gersten has my heartfelt thanks and my highest recommendation.

See All Client Reviews

Karen S. Gersten's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Karen
Angela I. Green headshot
Angela Green

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse Attorney Karen Gersten for her professional expertise, knowledge and dedication to practice of family law. Her attention to this demanding area of law, excellent reputation and genuine dedication to the client's needs would be greatly appreciated by any prospective client."

Kate W Haakonsen headshot
Kate Haakonsen

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 14

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Karen is a very experience and thorough lawyer who supports her clients and works reasonably with opposing counsel to find solutions whenever possible."

Scott Philip Birrell headshot
Scott Birrell

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Barbara Diane Aaron headshot
Barbara Aaron

Family lawyer | Mar 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Kate W Haakonsen headshot
Kate Haakonsen

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2023

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2022

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2020

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

CT Top Lawyer, Top Lawyers of America

2016

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1990 - 2018

Partner, Gersten & Gersten, LLP

Associations

1995 - Present

Hartford County Bar Association

Member

1990 - Present

Connecticut Bar Association

Member

Education

1990

Suffolk University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1987

Clark University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2000

Divorce in Connecticut

Teacher

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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