Author Archives: Bridget Tartaglia
Fostering and Terminating Parental Rights
A court in Texas has terminated the parental rights of the parents of an abandoned newborn baby girl. The baby, known as Chloe, was found in a plastic bag by a woman who was walking her dogs. Baby Chloe still had part of the umbilical cord attached when she was found, and was taken in… Read More »
Same-Sex Divorce: The Residency Quandary
There are now twelve states that legally recognize same-sex marriage, the most recent state being Minnesota ― passing legislation permitting same-sex marriage on May 14, 2013. New York became the sixth state to legally recognize marriages between same-sex couples when it passed the Marriage Equality Act in July 2011. The Act allows all couples to… Read More »
What Should Be Addressed in a Parenting Agreement?
There are innumerable issues to consider when creating a feasible and beneficial parenting plan for your child. For many parents, it is challenging and overwhelming, especially when the other parent is uncooperative. Of course, when a New York court reviews a parenting agreement, it has the child’s best interests in mind. The State of New… Read More »
Changes to NY Child Support Modification Laws
In 2010, a law making it easier to keep child support obligations proportional to parents’ income became effective in New York. Specifically, the law provides two new grounds for obtaining a modification of child support. The two bases for modification of an order of child support are: The passage of three years since the last… Read More »
Ways to Help Children Cope With Divorce
Divorces can be an incredibly difficult and emotional time for spouses. The breakup of a marriage can be hard on children, too. Thankfully, there is a wealth of information available to parents struggling to navigate the challenging landscape of divorce with the least amount of damage to their children. The Mayo Clinic has published advice… Read More »
How Are Retirement Assets Treated in a Divorce?
For many marriages, retirement accounts are the largest assets to be dealt with in a divorce. Knowing how to treat different types of retirement assets is key to protecting your financial future and avoiding unintended consequences down the road. A qualified domestic relations order (QDRO), helps divide a couple’s retirement assets during a divorce. Once… Read More »
Checklist for Prenups and What They Cover
Navigating the emotional landscape of divorce is tough, especially when financial issues were not resolved in advance. A prenuptial agreement is critical to protecting your assets and reducing uncertainties in the event of a divorce. The American Bar Association (ABA) has published information regarding the potential issues that can be included in a prenuptial agreement…. Read More »
No-Fault Divorce Available in New York
In 2010, New York became the last state to enact some form of no-fault divorce. The law requires that the marriage be irretrievably broken. It removed the need for one partner to be held responsible for the breakdown of the marriage. It helps reduce the number of personal details that come to light in a… Read More »