Author Archives: Bridget Tartaglia
Job Loss Alone Will Not Necessarily Justify a Reduced Child Support Rate
Since New York child support rates are largely based on how much income each parent earns, people might naturally assume that when a paying parent loses their job, a court will approve a significant reduction in their monthly obligation. This is not always the case. To qualify for a reduction, a dismissal must be involuntary…. Read More »
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Could Increase the “Gray Divorce” Trend
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, family lawyers and cultural observers have noticed the increase in divorces amongst older married couples. One study shows that the divorce rate for Americans 50 and older has doubled since 1990. This “gray divorce” trend cuts across social and economic lines and involves many spouses who… Read More »
What is Imputing Income and When Does It Happen for Child Support?
If a judge has reason to believe a parent can and should be earning more income than they are, they might “impute” (assign) additional income to that parent. To do so, they will calculate child support based on a higher income than the parent’s actual earned amount, which increases the child support obligation for that… Read More »
Tips to Help You Deal With Your Divorce Over the Holidays
Divorce is a stressful and emotional process no matter what time of year you’re going through it, but it can be especially difficult around the holidays. People going through a divorce or having just recently finalized a divorce face more time with family who may have uncomfortable questions or unsolicited opinions about the recent change… Read More »
Child Custody Tips for the Holidays
The holidays can be difficult to navigate for divorced parents. Both parents will likely (and understandably) want to have time to spend with their children over the holidays, but time is a limited commodity and the logistics of transferring children back and forth can be difficult. Here are a few child custody tips to keep… Read More »
Child Support Expanded to Provide for Special Needs Adults
Parents of sons and daughters with special needs often must provide a home and daily care long after their children turn 21 and the standard child support obligation expires. It stands to reason that a mother or father who is still responsible for a disabled young adult should receive support payments from their co-parent. Following… Read More »
How to Handle Family Events When Your Former Spouse Is There
You might not possess the same kind of wealth as Bill and Melinda Gates, but if you’re a divorced parent, you likely have something in common with the Microsoft founder and his wife, who are now divorced after 27 years of marriage. The wedding of the couple’s oldest daughter brought Bill and Melinda back together… Read More »
New York State Senate Passes “Best Interests of the Pet” Custody Bill
Traditionally, the law has treated pets as property, leading to legal results that fail to acknowledge the tremendous role that dogs, cats and other animals play in the lives of their owners. For example, damages in lawsuits where a defendant’s negligent actions result in the death of a plaintiff’s pet would often only cover the… Read More »
HBO Miniseries Covers Early New York Case on Lesbian Parents’ Rights
Over the past few decades, Americans in same-sex relationships have seen significant advances in their family law rights. A three-part miniseries on HBO shows how some of the rights that we take for granted now were not available even one generation ago. This detailed and personal documentary also offers a lesson to modern families about… Read More »
Three Common Ways to Handle a House in a Divorce
Your home is likely to be your largest, most valuable asset, which makes it a significant subject of conversation in divorce negotiations. When deciding what you will do with the home, you essentially have three options. Option one: Selling the house If neither of you can afford the home yourselves, or neither of you wishes… Read More »