Stacey Shaheen Bellabona

Associate

Biography

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire in 2000, Stacey then went on to receive her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2004. Following Law School Stacey relocated with her family to New Hampshire. In the Fall of 2004, she began a clerkship at the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Stacey clerked for the former Senior Associate Justice, Joseph Nadeau and upon his retirement clerked for Justice Gary Hicks until August of 2006. In September of 2006, Stacey joined the Shaheen & Gordon Law Firm. Since becoming a part of the Shaheen & Gordon team she has focused her practice primarily on Family Law and Estate Planning & Probate from the Dover office.

Recent Cases:

Attorney Bellabona recently won a landmark case before the New Hampshire Supreme Court, In the Matter of J.B. and J.G., No., 2008-023. This decision secured important rights for individuals filing a parenting petition pursuant to RSA 461-A.

The Petitioner, J.B., filed a petition with the Portsmouth Family Court to determine his parental rights and responsibilities. The Respondent, J.G., filed a Motion to Dismiss the case after the results of a paternity test showed that the Petitioner was not the child’s biological father. She claimed the the Petitioner was not entitled to any rights under RSA 461-A. However, the Petitioner had been recognized as the child’s father on the birth certificate and through an affidavit of paternity executed by both parties. In addition, the Petitioner maintained weekly visitation with the child and paid child support pursuant to a court order obtained by the Respondent.

Both the Portsmouth Family Court and the New Hampshire Supreme Court held that the Petitioner could maintain his parenting petition pursuant to RSA 461-A. Specifically, the New Hampshire Supreme Court held that the Petitioner’s non-biological connection to the child was "not fatal" to his parental petition. As a result of this decision, the Petitioner has been able to maintain his parenting petition and his parental rights and responsibilities.

Admissions:

  • Member of New Hampshire Bar
  • Member of U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire

Professional Associations and Memberships:

  • New Hampshire Bar Association
  • Strafford County Bar Association