Kristen C. Montella, Esq.

Kristen C. Montella has been practicing law for over 20 years, with a specific concentration in matrimonial and family law, including divorce, child & spousal support, custody, prenuptial agreements and adoptions. She is privileged to be associated with one of the premiere family law firms in Sussex County.

After graduating cum laude from both Drew University and Seton Hall School of Law and thereafter passing both the New Jersey and New York bar exams, Kristen was fortunate to serve as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Elijah L. Miller, Jr., J.S.C. (retired) in the Chancery Division, Family Part, Bergen County. She then became associated with a top law firm in Bergen County where she was trained in all aspects of matrimonial and family law.  Kristen became associated with Gruber Colabella in 2010.

While working as Judge Miller’s law clerk, Kristen formed the foundations for her philosophy in approaching the practice of law. Having experienced the adjudication of legal issues from the judicial perspective has given Kristen a unique insight into the court’s approach to dissecting legal issues.  This insight has been invaluable in representing individuals in both settlement negotiations and litigated matters.

Kristen approaches issues in matrimonial and family law with compassion and empathy which extends to her other practice areas of guardianship, wills, estates and name changes.  Her clients come to her during one of the most difficult times in their lives, and she hopes to reach a speedy resolution for them taking into account both legal and personal ramifications for the clients and their families. Her way of practicing law is to give advice to her clients as she would a member of her own family. She also embraces Plato’s quote, “An empty vessel makes the loudest sound.”  Kristen will fight ardently for her clients, she believes that the loudest voice in the room does not necessarily translate to being the voice of the person who is most intelligent or correct.

Kristen volunteers as a Family Law Early Settlement Panelist for Morris and Sussex Counties.  She has served as a board member for the Anti-Bully Squad, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about bullying and empowering children to stand up and speak out.  She was also the President of her Condo Board in Montclair, NJ.

Kristen currently lives in Morris County, NJ with her husband and daughter.  She has been an active member of the community where she volunteers for the PTA, chairing multiple events, as well as serving as a CCD teacher at her local church.  She is also the class mom at her daughter’s school and team mom for her daughter’s cheerleading squad. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family, reading and traveling.