Kara Marie Bellew

I interviewed many divorce attorneys in NYC, and my ex hired one of the best known attorneys in the business. I chose Kara to represent me in a very difficult divorce because she knows the law inside and out, is an excellent strategist, understands and can navigate the family court system, and was a ...strong advocate and partner through the entire divorce process. Kara was extremely responsive, leveraged her experience and expertise in complicated custody situations, and brought in the full resources of her firm on key issues. For example, Kara enlisted Alyssa Rower for parts of my case which, in partnership with Kara, was highly effective. Kara genuinely cares about her clients, puts client interests first, and has impeccable character and ethics. Kara captained me through the most challenging part of my life securing a new, sustainable path forward for me and my family.

Let's face facts...No matter what type of relationship you have with your spouse (good, bad, ugly), going through a divorce is a very painful process (especially in NY). Kara represented me (I'm a man) and was incredibly professional and helped me understand the process which unfortunately, is not ea...sy and does not favor those who are getting a divorce (the NY courts are a mess). There are many emotions, questions and decisions (especially if you have kids), but Kara has the ability to walk you through various scenarios and help you get comfortable with what life will look like once you are officially divorced. She can be very tough when she needs to be, but does not believe in dragging this process on and on while the meter is running. She also has a great team around her so you will be in good hands. I highly recommend Kara and wish you the best of luck.

My brother and I had to navigate an extremely challenging divorce and child custody battle. We knew it was going to be a long, hard, and expensive journey because we had tried a collaborative divorce process that failed. Communications between the parties had completely broken down. It was an emotion...ally-charged situation where the mother was withholding the child. We were at our wits end and had no choice but to pursue litigation that took 2.5 years. We had the privilege of working with Kara Bellew and Karina Van Houten at Rower. There are no words to adequately express their exemplary services and how much they did for us. My brother, and our family, cannot recommend Kara and Karina highly enough. He could have lost his 7-year-old daughter, and we could have lost our niece. Kara demonstrates the utmost professionalism and integrity. My brother was struggling financially, and she helped guide us in the most efficient and cost-effective strategies possible under the circumstances. Her honesty and ethical standards are beyond reproach, and we echo the glowing sentiments of all her clients. Kara’s expertise and extensive experience in divorce law are unparalleled. She skillfully navigated the complexities of our case, the law, and the courts, always keeping our best interests—and the child’s best interests—at heart. Her deep knowledge and strategic thinking were instrumental in achieving a favorable outcome for us. What truly sets Kara apart is her client-centered, results-oriented approach. She provided personalized attention, always making herself available to answer questions and address time-sensitive concerns (even after hours and weekends when needed). Her dedication and compassion were evident throughout the entire process, ensuring that we felt supported every step of the way. Communication with Kara was always clear, consistent, and timely. She kept us informed about every detail and development in the case, explaining legal terms and our options, including the risks and ramifications, in a way that was easy to understand. This transparency was incredibly reassuring and helped us feel in control during a very difficult time. We are extremely grateful for Kara’s efficiency and fair billing practices. She was always transparent about billing, never overcharged, or misled us. There were times we noticed that she didn’t bill us for quick questions or if she felt things took unnecessarily long. She handled our case with remarkable efficiency, ensuring that every step was handled promptly and effectively. Her rates are fair and inline for New York City. Kara Bellew is a highly dedicated and skilled attorney who genuinely cares about her clients. She is a true advocate for those she represents, and her track record of successful outcomes speaks volumes about her capabilities. We wholeheartedly recommend Kara to anyone in need of a top-notch divorce attorney. And we can’t say enough about Karina Van Houten. Thank you, Kara and Karina, for your unwavering support and exceptional service. To this day, we still lean on Kara for advice when things come up. You have made a significant positive impact on our lives. My brother, my niece, and I cannot thank you enough. We are forever grateful.

I had the best experience working with Kara and her legal team at Rower. Kara demonstrated complete professionalism and support to my joint custody case. There was never a moment when I felt uncertain of her capabilities. Her positive demeanor and clarity of her communication gave me reassurance duri...ng her service. Even after the divorce Kara is accessible and available to help me on issues that popped up after my divorce was settled. Her commitment never let up and I am grateful for her care and personal attention!

I have known and worked with Kara Bellew for years. She is literally as good as it gets. She has been by my side through very difficult (emotionally and legally) situations and stays wise, creative and fierce always. Her exemplary understanding of right from wrong, coupled with her insane intuition ...sets her apart. I would trust her (and have) for myself, my family and my friends. There is no one better, more honest and more responsive - even when she is delivering news I would rather not hear. I mean - she was a lawyer at Sanctuary for Families for 10 years! Talk about a great person!