Salem and Essex County Family Law & Criminal Defense Attorney

So Injured Clients Can Focus on Their Recovery

When you're facing a divorce, a custody dispute, or a criminal charge in Salem, the stakes are too high to leave to chance. The Law Offices of Anthony G. Puopolo represents individuals and families throughout Salem and Essex County — in the courtroom, in mediation, and at every step in between. We know this court, we know this county, and we're ready to work for you.

Two offices — Lowell and Middlesex County, North Andover and Essex County. One firm with the courtroom presence to handle what you are facing.

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Summa Cum Laude, Suffolk University Law School

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Licensed in MA & NH State and Federal Courts

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Two Office Locations: Lowell & North Andover

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Active in Middlesex & Essex County Courts

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Family Law and Criminal Defense Under One Roof

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Weekly Legal Podcast — No Competitor Comes Close

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Courtroom Presence at Essex County Family Court

Essex County Probate and Family Court in Salem handles some of the most consequential legal matters a person will ever face — divorce, child custody, support modifications, and parental relocation. Our attorneys appear regularly in this courthouse, and that familiarity matters. We understand how judges approach contested cases here, how the scheduling process works, and what it takes to be prepared when it counts.

 

Our North Andover office gives Salem-area clients a nearby point of contact, and our team is structured to provide consistent, responsive representation from the first consultation through final judgment.

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Family Law Services for Salem and Essex County Residents

Family law cases rarely follow a clean path. High-conflict divorces escalate. Custody arrangements break down. One parent decides to relocate, and suddenly everything is in dispute. We represent clients across the full range of family law matters in Salem and throughout Essex County, including:

 

 

Whether your case is heading toward trial or you're trying to reach a negotiated resolution, we bring the same level of preparation and advocacy to every matter.

Divorce Attorney Serving Salem MA — What to Expect From Our Approach

Divorce is rarely just a legal process. It involves your finances, your children, your home, and your sense of what comes next. Our role is to give you a clear picture of where you stand legally, what outcomes are realistic, and what it will take to get there — without overpromising or leaving you guessing.

 

For clients in Salem navigating high-net-worth or high-conflict divorce, we pay particular attention to asset division, business valuation, and custody arrangements that hold up over time. Anthony Puopolo graduated summa cum laude from Suffolk University Law School and is licensed in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire state and federal courts, giving clients a level of credentialed representation that is difficult to match at the local level.

Compassionate Counsel, Tough Advocacy

Criminal Defense in Salem and Essex County

An arrest in Essex County moves quickly through the system. Whether you're facing an OUI charge, a drug offense, a gun charge, or a 209A restraining order, the decisions made in the first days after an arrest shape everything that follows. Our criminal defense practice represents clients at the Essex County Superior Court and District Court level, and we are prepared to move fast.

 

Gabrielle, one of our criminal defense attorneys, recently secured a full dismissal on a significant gun charge — a result that reflects the kind of focused, detail-oriented defense work we bring to every case. We handle:

 

Restraining Orders and the Overlap Between Family Law and Criminal Defense

In Salem and across Essex County, 209A restraining orders frequently arise in the context of divorce and high-conflict custody cases. Being served with a restraining order can affect your housing, your access to your children, and your employment — sometimes within hours of the order being issued. Facing a domestic violence charge while a divorce is pending creates legal exposure on two fronts simultaneously.

 

This is where our dual-practice structure becomes a meaningful advantage. We handle both the family law and criminal defense dimensions of these overlapping situations, coordinating strategy across both tracks so that nothing falls through the gap between two separate attorneys who aren't talking to each other.

Common Questions About Family Law and Criminal Defense in Salem

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  • Which court handles divorce and custody cases in Salem?

    Divorce, child custody, and support matters for Salem residents are handled at the Essex County Probate and Family Court, located in Salem. Our attorneys appear regularly in this courthouse and are familiar with its procedures and scheduling.

  • How does a 209A restraining order affect a pending divorce case in Massachusetts?

    A restraining order can directly impact custody arrangements, access to the marital home, and the overall trajectory of a divorce. Because these proceedings run in parallel across different courts, having attorneys who handle both matters under one roof provides a significant strategic advantage.

  • What should I do immediately after an OUI arrest in Essex County?

    Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The Registry of Motor Vehicles imposes license suspension deadlines that are separate from the criminal process, and early intervention gives your attorney the best opportunity to challenge the stop, the field sobriety testing, and the evidence before it hardens.

  • Can I get a prenuptial agreement drafted quickly before my wedding?

    Yes, though we recommend starting the process at least 60 to 90 days before the wedding date. Agreements signed under time pressure can be challenged later on grounds of duress. We work efficiently, but we also make sure the agreement is structured to hold up.

  • Do you represent clients in southern New Hampshire as well as Massachusetts?

    Yes. Anthony Puopolo is licensed in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire state and federal courts. Clients with ties to both states — whether for family law or criminal matters — can work with our firm across both jurisdictions without needing separate counsel.
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Ready When You Are

Serving Salem and the Surrounding Essex County Communities

Our firm serves clients in Salem and across the broader Essex County region, including Lawrence, Newburyport, North Andover, and surrounding communities. If your case involves Essex County Probate and Family Court or the Essex County criminal courts, we have the local presence and courtroom familiarity to represent you effectively.

 

We also serve clients in Lowell and Middlesex County from our second office location, and we regularly handle cases for clients in Lawrence and Newburyport who need representation in Salem-based proceedings.