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 arrangements are often those where…
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, but who suspects he is…
The impact of traumatic events on marital relationships In late October, one of the most devastating storms in recent memory, Hurricane Sandy, blew through the eastern seaboard of the United States, taking lives, and causing in excess of $50 billion in damages. By Thanksgiving, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) estimated that power had been restored to 1.1 million customers,…
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is becoming mainstream — especially in dealing with divorce. We talked earlier about alternatives like mediation and collaborative law. You may know a couple that got through their divorce pretty well using a mediator. But how do you know ADR is right for you? The level of conflict a couple brings to a divorce determines the…
The many changes in your life after divorce include new rules imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about your claims, deductions, exemptions and income. Divorce lawyer Bryan L. Salamone, Esq. gives you tips on accurately filing your first tax return as a single person. Your new single status The IRS classifies you as a single person even if your…
You were sincere when you said, “till death do us part,” so the prenuptial agreement you were asked to sign may have felt more like a formality than a legal contract. Now that you are divorcing, you may realize that you should never have agreed to the inequitable terms. However, you have options. You can challenge the validity of the…
New York became the 50th — and final — state in the United States to allow no-fault divorce in 2010. As a result, couples in our state no longer need grounds or proof of a spouse’s wrongdoing to end their marriage. The only requirement is for one spouse to swear the marriage has been irretrievably broken for six months. And…
New York began recognizing same-sex marriage in 2011. However, matrimony is not enough to protect your rights. Although same-sex couples are granted the same privileges and obligations as heterosexual partners within New York, you do not have equal rights under federal laws or in the states that don’t recognize your marriage. You can counter this disparity through careful planning that…
If you took the name of your spouse when you married, you can now choose to keep your current name or resume your former surname when you divorce. You might decide to retain your married name for a variety of reasons, such as maintaining consistency with your children or keeping your professional and social contacts. Conversely, reclaiming your former name…
A 2010 survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) concluded that 81 percent of divorce attorneys had seen an increase in the use of social media as evidence — with Facebook topping the charts at 66 percent. In the more than two years since the disquieting AAML survey, Facebook has grown to 955 million monthly active users.…