Frances Nicotra

PRO

Frances Nicotra

also known as Frances Nicotra

4.9
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 33 years

Family Lawyer at Jersey City, NJ
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Child Custody ... +3 more

853 Summit Ave, Jersey City, NJ

Free Consultation

About Frances

Biography

Work with Integrity, Resolution with Dignity. Affordable Rates. 20+ years experience.

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Child Custody 20%

20%
Divorce and Separation 20%

20%
Family 20%

20%
Marriage and Prenuptials 20%

20%
Alimony 10%

10%
Uncontested Divorce 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2024 2023 2020
...
+ 2
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2018 2017

Licenses

Licensed in New York for 33 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1992

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Licensed in New Jersey for 33 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 1992

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law office of Frances Nicotra, Esq.

853 Summit Ave, Jersey City, NJ, 07307

fnesqlaw.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Frances online.

Frances Nicotra's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

47 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by anonymous | February 08, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Highly Recommend – Trustworthy and Efficient

Working with Francis was one of the best decisions I made during a very difficult chapter of my life. From start to finish, she was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. She explained everything clearly, responded quickly to my questions, and always made me feel reassured and confi...dent about the process. What really stood out was her compassion — she genuinely cares about her clients, not just the legal outcome. That personal touch made such a difference during a stressful time. Francis handled my case efficiently and with great attention to detail, ensuring everything was smooth and stress-free. I always felt like I was in safe, capable hands. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who is not only highly skilled but also kind, understanding, and truly on your side. Thank you again for everything.

Posted by Damian | October 03, 2022 | Hired Attorney

Good hearted person

Lic in New Jersey & New York Attorney. She is kind, understanding and will represent you with a strong ethical representation. She is a listener and hard worker who often I would find late night emails as she works on your matter endlessly. I recommend her for great representation. Ethical, kind, ...lawyer. Much appreciated for your work.

Posted by Ayesha | January 10, 2022 | Hired Attorney

excellent lawyer

Frances was very professional and very detailed with my case. I always knew what was going on with my case.

Posted by Nancy | April 04, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Great Divorce Lawyer

Frances Nicotra is one of the most honest lawyers that I have had the pleasure of handling my divorce. She answers all your questions and concerns I recommend her highly.

Posted by anonymous | June 05, 2017 | Divorce & Separation

Not Worth the Headache

Since I live in another state, I hired Frances at the advice of my lawyer who looked her up online. She was horrible. Like any divorce, mine was very stressful, and Frances did NOTHING to help alleviate it. She was never reachable, she didn't remember the details of my case (she kept referring to ...my daughter as my son), and failed to explain how NJ divorce law would affect my case in the long run (which I'm having issues with now). When I asked her to follow up with my ex husband's attorney on different issues, she was late or forgot to do it until I contacted her for a follow up. During one of my follow ups (remember she's hardly reachable), I expressed my irritation with her service and she started yelling at me. To her defense, she had some personal issues she was dealing with at the time, but I'm her client, not her friend. Rest assure - she will help you with your divorce case. Just don't ask questions, don't expect her to contact you unless she wants a payment, and educate yourself on NJ divorce law. Then pray you'll get a good deal. You can get better service with other divorce attorneys in NJ than what you'll get from Frances.

Frances Nicotra

Replied last June 05, 2017

So sorry for your disappointment. If I recall correctly, you were successful in obtaining that which a court would never have awarded to you at trial, that being severance without cause of all contact and communication between your spouse and the child you share together. There are times when a 100% win slam dunk for a client is simply not enough. I shall take this under advisement and thank you for your input.

See All Client Reviews

Frances Nicotra's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Frances
Scott J Newman headshot
Scott Newman

Family lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Nicotra's many answers on AVVO demonstrate that she possesses superior knowledge and experience in the area of Family Law. I endorse this lawyer!"

Leonard Roy Boyer headshot
Leonard Boyer

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Nicotra is a very knowledgeable and effective advocate for her clients."

Somair Syed Alam headshot
Somair Alam

Family lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Very knowledgeable family law attorney, dedicated to her clients' success."

Leonard B. Cohen headshot
Leonard Cohen

Unknown lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Tanya L. Freeman headshot
Tanya Freeman

Divorce and separation lawyer | Aug 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Apr 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Brian C Freeman headshot
Brian Freeman

General practice lawyer | Jun 15

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Frances is a well known and well respected attorney. I have had several cases with her and she is always well prepared and fights hard for her clients."

View All Endorsements
Brian C Freeman headshot
Brian Freeman

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Work Experience

1994 - Present

Attorney at Law, Frances Nicotra, Esq.

1991 - 1992

Intern, Kings County District Attorney, Nyc

Associations

2021 - Present

Hudson County Bar Association

President

2020 - 2021

Hudson County Bar Association

President-Elect

2017 - 2020

Hudson County Bar Association

Vice President

2015 - 2017

Hudson County Bar Association

Executive Committee

2000 - 2015

Hudson County Bar Association

Trustee

Sample of Legal Cases

Anonymous vs. Anonymous

Prevail

Anonymous1 vs. Anonymous1

Prevailed

Anonymous1 vs. Anonymous1

Prevailed

See More Legal Cases

Education

1991

New York Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1988

State University of New York, Stony Brook

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Personal Injury Seminar/Ethics Seminar

Continuing Legal Education

Languages

English

Activity

Top Contributor

Frances earned significant contribution points in 2018.

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution