Singer Robin Thicke and actress Paula Patton face an uncertain marital future in light of media revelations about the questionable behavior of Mr. Thicke. Celebrity or not, most marriage relationships are strained when evidence that suggests infidelity surfaces. Last August, a raunchy stage performance between Twerking queen Miley Cyrus and Mr. Thicke raised more than eyebrows. Onstage and off, the…
A recent bid before the Appellate Division, Second District failed when a mother was unable to provide important information to support her desired relocation after a divorce. In Christy v. Christy, appellant Lisa Christy sought relief from a family court decision that prohibited her from carrying out a proposed relocation with the children of her previous marriage. In New York,…
When your divorce is finalized, it’s time to update some key documents. These include: Social Security: If you changed your name when you got married, you can regain your married name and obtain a new Social Security card through the Social Security Administration. If you are middle-aged or older upon divorce, inform yourself about Social Security benefits. Driver license: Change…
After handling over 15,000 divorces over the last 20years I am confronted with billboards in New York City and advertisements touting “$399.00 uncontested-no signature required” divorces. How is this possible? After all of the research and contacting most all of the places that advertise these “too good to be true” fees, I have come to the conclusion that this is…
During divorce the lives of children are turned upside-down. Their relationships with parents are permanently changed. Understanding the effect of divorce on your children may help them, and you, in the future. Children of all ages are at risk from the upheaval caused by divorce. Although parents might understand they will get through divorce intact, children do not. Children take…
Division of property is a hotly debated topic in many divorces. A recent Appellate Division case defined an instance when separate property is not actually separate property. In New York, the assets and debt of the marital estate are subject to equitable distribution during divorce. When couples cannot agree on how to distribute their property, the court strives to divide…
Is the family business profitable or broke? During a divorce, sometimes the only opinion that matters is one provided by an expert. As it turns out, many of our clients benefit from the appropriate use of experts during their divorce proceedings. New York law allows courts to require payment of fees for legal counsel and experts by either party. The…
Your marriage is over and you want to save money and time and prevent the emotional trouble many people experience during a divorce. Mediation seems like a good option. What should you do? Mediation is an informal process that is usually less expensive than other methods of divorce, including the collaborative divorce process and litigation. By keeping conflict low, mediation…
A few slipped sentences to radio host Howard Stern could spell a significant financial loss for Oksana Grigorieva, the former girlfriend of actor Mel Gibson. A Russian pianist and singer, Oksana Grigorieva gained household recognition in the United States as the girlfriend of actor Mel Gibson. When the relationship soured, allegations and audio recordings emerged to paint a painful portrait…
Mediation is a popular process for getting through divorce on decent terms with your spouse. Using mediation can protect your children and your wallet from the effects of a contentious litigated divorce. What are the pros and cons of divorce mediation? Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) intended to create a low-conflict setting for spouses and others…