Areas of Practice
Prenuptial Agreements
Postnuptial Agreements
Divorce
Complex Financial Litigation
Property Distribution and Valuations
Child Custody Litigation and Parenting Agreements
Child Support and Child Custody
Alimony / Spousal Maintenance
Post-Divorce Litigation
Modifications to Child Custody and Child Support
Appeals
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
Parental Relocation
International Custody Disputes and Hague Convention Cases
Non-Traditional Family Law
Same Sex Family Law
Cohabitation Agreements
Surrogacy Agreements
Frozen Eggs and Embryos
Orders of Protection and Domestic Violence
CPS /ACS Issues
Petnup Agreements
Grandparent Rights/Custody & Visitation
Parental Alienation Issues
Paternity and Adoption
Prenuptial Agreements
We negotiate and draft prenuptial agreements to avoid future disputes concerning the division of marital property if a marriage dissolves and to preserve our client’s pre-marital property or to protect the "have-not." We regularly work with attorneys around the world as co-counsel in handling prenuptial matters for clients living outside of New York and represent clients worldwide in prenuptial agreements involving New York and otherwise.
Postnuptial Agreements
We can help you protect your assets with a postnuptial agreement which provides you and your spouse with peace of mind regarding your assets and property, and gives you both the financial security you will need in the event of a future separation, divorce or death.
Divorce
We handle all issues pertaining to the dissolution of marital partnerships and other relationships. We explore reasonable settlement options, but if settlement cannot be reached, we develop effective, creative litigation strategies to achieve favorable results as quickly as possible. We handle the analysis, valuation and distribution of all assets and liabilities, including business holdings, real estate, investment funds, professional practices, intellectual properties, celebrity status, and more.
Complex Financial Litigation
We work closely with forensic accountants, pension analysts, and business valuation experts who are essential to the successful resolution of matrimonial litigation in big money cases that go to trial. High net-worth individuals face unique complexities during divorce involving complicated financial structures, real estate holdings, private businesses, venture capital, stock options, deferred compensation and other income. Our skilled professionals are here for you.
Child Custody Litigation and Parenting Agreements
We are keenly sensitivity to the delicate issues between separating and divorcing parents and their children. We strive to promote the best interests of the children when we are appointed as attorneys for the children, and we represent mothers, fathers, same sex partners, and grandparents in hotly contested litigation involving custody, parental access (visitation), and residential custody.
Modifications to Agreements
Our firm can help you evaluate whether a post-judgment modification to your divorce judgment and/or custody agreement may be possible or is advisable. In New York this is a highly complex process, and your chances of success rest on hiring the right attorneys who know the system and can help you navigate the process.
Appeals
When there is a substantial issue one party believes to have been wrongly decided in a lower court, an appeal may be warranted. This highly specialized area of the law requires meticulous attention to detail, the ability to write compelling legal briefs, and a skilled appellate lawyer who is able to think quickly on his or her feet during oral arguments. We are renowned for our skilled advocacy in the appellate courts. We will review your case to explore whether you have grounds to appeal a lower court decision relating to custody, equitable distribution, child or spousal support, or other matrimonial and family law matters. We are known for our skillful analysis regarding the advisability of appeal and will advise you of your realistic chances for a successful outcome and the cost involved.
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
UCCJEA is an acronym for the "Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act." This is a law that has been enacted in all of the states to provide a mechanism to obtain and enforce orders of custody and visitation across state lines and to prevent multiple litigations in multiple states. It is important to know that a child's "home state" designation may change after the child has been living in a new state for six months. See us right away if this situation applies to you. Covid-19 may have inadvertently created such situations.
International Custody Disputes and Hague Convention Cases
Regardless of the country at issue, if you have an international child custody dispute, timing is everything. It is essential for you to seek legal counsel, determine if the Hague Convention protections apply to your case, and assert your rights as soon as practicable. Custody and access to your children may depend on how and how quickly you proceed.
Paternity and Adoption
Establishing paternity has important and lifelong consequences. Whether you're seeking to prove or disprove paternity, it's important to understand how the laws apply to you. In New York, such matters may be brought before the New York State Supreme Court, as well as the Family Court of New York State. Before taking any action, you should consult with us to learn about your rights under the law and what steps to take going forward. We also handle adoptions, including gay and lesbian second parent adoptions and more.
Surrogacy Agreements
The surrogacy contract, which is now lawful in New York, guides the entire surrogacy journey, clearly outlining each party’s rights, roles and responsibilities before, during and after the pregnancy. Surrogacy contracts found online tend to be short-sighted and generic. See us if you wish to be or are involved in the surrogacy process.
Frozen Eggs and Embryos
Frozen eggs and embryos lead to legal disputes that appear in matrimonial and family law cases, as more and more women freeze their inseminated or uninseminated eggs for future use. Consents given during happier days are sometimes a matter of contention during a divorce or other dispute. We can help.
Orders of Protection and Domestic Violence
You need to know your rights whether you are the accuser or the accused. We can provide legal services in such situations. Orders of protection are commonly issued in cases involving domestic violence, but may also be issued under other circumstances. Domestic violence can take the form of verbal and emotional, as well as physical abuse.
Grandparent Visitation
Grandparents have visitation rights under the laws of New York State. If you are having trouble exercising these rights, we can help.
Same Sex Family Law
We are on the cutting edge of all developments that impact same-sex couples. We offer representation to same-sex couples who need to navigate the evolving family law processes that apply to them, including second parent adoptions. We are dedicated to helping same-sex couples secure the best possible resolutions to the family law challenges that they may face.