A common question couples may have before initiating a divorce is how the court divides property. Aside from child custody and visitation issues, the division of property may lead to heated debate. New York is a state that does not divide marital holdings equally. It...
Your Family Matters
Is nesting an option for your post-divorce family?
Divorce has the potential to affect children negatively. After learning about the end of your marriage, your children may experience anger, sadness, depression or even ambivalence. To help children cope with divorce, some parents choose nesting. Sometimes called bird...
Mediation for Custody Disputes: Help Your Clients Avoid the “Litigation Wringer”
As every parent knows, it is impossible to work together without trust. Custody litigation, by its nature, serves to eliminate it. Mediation, whenever possible, is an easier and less expensive process than litigation for your family law clients. It helps them decide...
Just the Facts: Respect
In this “Just the Facts” series, I’ve already covered Child Support, Custody Cases, and When Mediation Doesn’t Work. I’m now sharing the most powerful lesson — and also the simplest — for the final installment of this series: Follow the Golden Rule. Treat others how...
Just the Facts: When Mediation Doesn’t Work
By now you’ve probably figured out that mediating your divorce makes sense in most cases — and you may be wondering about what types of cases are not a fit for mediation. If there is domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or parental alienation, litigation becomes...
Just the Facts: Custody Cases
As every parent knows, it is impossible to work together without trust. Custody litigation, by its nature, eliminates trust — to the detriment of the children. The most basic reason why the current system for resolving custody issues is so bad for children is perhaps...
Just the Facts: Child Support
I have spent most of my career in New York’s Family Court system. I’ve had many people come into my office for consultations who are cynical “veterans” of the system, and others who tell me that they have heard “horror stories.” This series will describe the reasons...
Child Support Orders [VIDEO]
What is included in an order of child support? Basic Child Support Basic child support is meant to provide for a child's basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and school supplies. The amount of support is calculated via a formula based on the parents’...
What Do You Do if You’re Not Receiving Child Support? [VIDEO]
If you are not receiving the child support awarded to you by a court, the first step to take is to use administrative remedies. Staying Out of Court Administrative remedies are actions you can take that don't require you to go to court. For example, if the order is...
What Do I Do If I Get an “Indicated” Letter from Child Protective Services?
If you’ve received an “indicated” letter from Child Protective Services (CPS), you’ve already been through a horrific experience. A caseworker has probably come to your home to speak with your child outside of your presence. He or she has also probably spoken with...
