Are you in the Forest Hills, NY, area? Are you concerned about your physical safety? An orders of protection attorney may be able to help.

File a Petition with the Relevant Court

An Order of Protection is a document issued by a court to protect one person from another’s harm or threats of harm. To obtain an Order of Protection in New York State, you must file a petition in the court that handles the type of situation you are dealing with. If you have a family or intimate relationship with the person you are seeking to be protected from, then you should file with a Family Court. You can find your local Family Court on the New York courts website. Forms are available on the Family Court forms website. If you are in immediate danger, always call 911 and only after that your lawyer, if you’re able.

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If you pay child support but circumstances have changed since the child support order was made, you may be able to get the child support order changed. A modifications attorney in Queens, NY, explains.

One parent must file a petition with the court that gave the original child support order. The petition should give the reason for the request for modification and present evidence to support that reason. The judge will look over the petition and the evidence. They will then schedule a hearing, at which both parents will have an opportunity to present their side. The judge will then make a decision whether to modify the child support order or not. If they decide in favor of the request, the judge will then issue a new child support order.

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If you’re dealing with a divorce, custody, or other family law matter in New York, you don’t always need to end up in court. Arbitration is an alternative that might be a preferable option. Your family law attorney in Forest Hills, NY can represent you during the arbitration process. This guide will explain how arbitration works and how it’s used within family law.

What Is Arbitration?

Arbitration allows both parties to have their side of the argument heard without going to court. An individual will be appointed to preside over the arbitration. This individual is known as an arbitrator and has a role similar to a judge. The arbitrator will listen to the evidence presented by both parties and reach a decision.

Arbitration works very much like a court trial but is heard privately. Evidence will be presented and witnesses will provide their testimony in front of the chosen arbitrator.

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If you’re involved with the divorce and need to work out issues with child support, always talk with a Queens, NY child support lawyer to get specific information on your unique case. There are some general guidelines to know, however about what goes into calculating child support here in New York.

Calculating Assets and Needs

The first step in making the calculation is figuring out exactly what income the parents have as well as the needs of the children and certain financial obligations that the parents can’t get out of. This gives you your actual amount of net income. Child support is calculated from net income, not total gross income.

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New York courts try to balance a child’s best interests with the rights of both parents and make sure, if possible, that both custodial and noncustodial parents play a role in their child’s upbringing. Here’s a short explanation from a custody attorney in Queens, NY, on what visitation rights look like in New York for noncustodial parents.

What Are My Visitation Rights as a Noncustodial Parent in New York? Answers from a Custody Attorney in Queens, NY

In New York, it is generally recognized that a child benefits from having both parents involved in their life, even after separation or divorce. For this reason, noncustodial parents are typically granted regular visitation unless there is evidence showing that such contact would harm the child.

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Custody is always a contentious part of any divorce, and if you are trying to ensure you have custody of your children, or fight against an ex-spouse you know is unsafe for your kids to be around, be sure to talk with a Queens, New York custody lawyer as soon as possible to have the best chance of winning your case.

The “Best Interests of the Child”

In New York, the standard for determining custody is always “the best interest of the child.” If abuse or violence is an issue in the relationship, then the best interest of the child become pretty clear and simple to work out. In the majority of cases, however, the court has to look at a wide variety of factors in making this decision.

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Not all divorces are fraught and full of conflict. Sometimes spouses are on good terms but realize that they would just be better off not married. If that’s your case, you may be asking do you need a lawyer to get divorced? At the Law Offices of Joseph H. Nivin in Queens, NY, our divorce attorneys have worked for many clients to help make sure that their amicable divorce is as easy and stress-free as possible.

What if It’s Amicable? Do You Need a Lawyer To Get Divorced?

Technically speaking, you don’t need a lawyer to get divorced, but even the New York State Court System recommends that you speak with an attorney before initiating a divorce. Getting a divorce is not just about filing paperwork; even in an amicable divorce, there are conversations that need to happen about the division of marital property, spousal support, child custody, and child support.

In New York, the divorce process is streamlined for uncontested cases, allowing couples to finalize their divorce more quickly and with less expense than a contested divorce.

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Whether you’re going through a divorce, protecting your child, or trying to grow your family, dealing with family law issues is a stressful experience — especially when children are involved. Your Forest Hills, NY family attorney will deal with your case empathetically, helping you to understand your rights and navigate the court system confidently.

Understanding Your Rights in Family Law Cases

Types of Family Law Cases

The Family Court and Supreme Court typically handle cases involving families and children in New York State. You may find yourself working with the courts for a variety of cases, including: 

  • Adoption
  • Custody
  • Visitation
  • Child support
  • Paternity
  • Divorce
  • Crimes committed by children 
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Domestic disputes cover a range of emotionally fraught situations that can happen within a family, ranging from disagreements over child custody and support to conflicts between spouses and even elder abuse. These disputes cause pain and disruption, fracture family relationships, and leave lasting scars: and the longer they go on, the worse they tend to become. A Queens, NY family law lawyer can often help you to resolve these disputes before they blow up into courtroom battles and irresolvable differences.

How Can a Queens, NY Family Law Lawyer Help Resolve a Domestic Dispute?

New York’s laws can be very confusing for those without a legal background. A family lawyer starts by providing you with clear guidance on your rights and responsibilities under the law. They can explain your options concerning child custody arrangements, visitation schedules, orders of protection, and navigating complex financial matters like child or spousal support. All their knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions that will align with your family’s best interests.

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The legal system is complex, and having to work within it is always an emotional experience, especially when dealing with family matters. Whether you’re facing a custody battle, seeking child support, or addressing issues related to abuse or neglect, understanding what to expect in Family Court in New York is crucial. Here’s a brief overview from a family court lawyer in Forest Hills, NY.

What is Family Court?

Family Court is a specific branch of the New York court system that deals exclusively with legal issues surrounding families and children. It handles cases of child custody and visitation, resolving disputes about legal and physical custody of children, as well as visitation rights for noncustodial parents. Paternity cases and child support cases also go through Family Court, determining and enforcing financial support obligations for children.

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