Category Archives: Family Law

I Do Again: Legal and Financial Considerations of Remarriage

After divorce, finding someone new is a common goal – but actually tying the knot again is not. According to SmartMoney.com, fewer than half of divorced women and slightly more than half of divorced men are remarried – and those numbers are dropping. Marriage does offer legal and financial benefits over cohabitation, including the tax… Read More »

Understanding Child Custody Law in NY

If you are a parent wishing to file for child custody in the state of New York, you should familiarize yourself with the state’s child custody laws first. In a child custody case, the court’s job is to decide what is in the best interest of the child. Although there is no clear-cut way to… Read More »

Receiving Divorced Spouse Social Security Benefits

Divorce places significant financial stress on separated parties. The old saying that two can live as cheaply as one is not too far from the mark. After a divorce, a couple divides everything and then must support two completely separate households. One positive financial avenue that exists after divorce is that if you are a… Read More »

Do Grandma and Grandpa Have any Rights to Visitation in New York?

Divorce affects all who are touched by it and grandparents are among those likely to be injured. Grandparents are often left out in the cold in terms of custody and visitation. While many jurisdictions are slowly granting grandparents rights to see their grandchildren, New York is far from being on the cutting edge in this… Read More »

Do I Need a Family Law Lawyer for My Divorce?

Divorce law falls under the umbrella of family law. Very few people are able to effectuate a divorce without the assistance of a lawyer, as this is rarely possible or practical. The best way to protect your rights and your relationship with your children is to seek out the assistance of an attorney who handles… Read More »

Second Time Around: Four Tips for Success

Love makes the world go ‘round. Even after a lengthy or high-conflict divorce experience, many of my clients remarry. At any age, the opportunity to build a life with a person with whom you share abiding love and companionship is a blessing. If considering a second marriage, or if you just started into your first… Read More »

Parenting and Holiday Plans: Tips for the Season

The holidays are just around the corner, and for divorced parents — and their children — holiday expectations can add to a season already tinged with possible disappointment. Knowing your legal boundaries and acting civil towards each other can go a long way towards helping you and your child to enjoy the holiday season. As… Read More »

Social Security After Divorce: Understanding Your Benefits

With later-life divorce, as I mentioned, there is a need to protect wealth and assets on into retirement. Another key issue is obtaining health insurance after divorce. For clients who are starting out again at 55 or 65, understanding all of the benefits that are available is critically important. Social Security benefits are not often… Read More »

Can You Share?

Points to consider about joint physical custody We talked earlier about joint physical custody. As I indicated, joint physical custody is a good opportunity for both parents to stay actively involved with their children. More than ever, courts are guided by the best interests of the child when parents decide to divorce, and the best… Read More »

Counting Dad In — Or Out

Paternity matters on Long Island There are good reasons my clients are interested in establishing the paternity of their child. Paternity underpins the rights of fathers and mothers in the following ways: For a father, parenting rights hinge on being named the biological father of a child. A man considered the father of a child,… Read More »