Category Archives: Family Law
Who’s the Daddy?
Unfortunately, human relationships are not always neat and simple. Nowhere is this more apparent than in a paternity suit. Sometimes a father is shirking his responsibility to support a child and other times the mother is denying the father’s biological parenthood. If the parties cannot resolve the issue on their own, a Family Court judge… Read More »
Shine the Light on Domestic Violence
The behavior is personal and sometimes deadly. Intimate partner violence afflicts every community in the United States, usually behind the closed doors and happy faces presented to the public. New York is no different. By proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo shines a light on the often… Read More »
Orders of Protection and Temporary Restraining Orders
You do not need a lawyer to seek a temporary restraining order in New York. Courthouses and police stations are required to provide an immediate order of protection if you request one. A trial date is set and a hearing is held to see if you qualify for a permanent order of protection. A judge… Read More »
Paternal Rights for Unwed Fathers: What to Do When There are Doubts
Do not sign a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity if you are unsure whether you are a child’s father. Once you sign, New York allows just 60 days to rescind your acknowledgement. By signing, you waive your right to deny paternity. The only way to get out of the agreement is to retain a lawyer to… Read More »
Co-Parent Adoption for Same-Sex Couples
Legal obstacles make it substantially more difficult for parents to adopt together as a same-sex couple. Prospective parents must elect one person to file the court documents for adoption, while the other must remain anonymous. Problems can arise when one parent has sole custody. Although you plan to raise the child together, the parent with… Read More »
Grounds for Invalidating a Prenup in New York
Invalidating a prenuptial agreement has traditionally been difficult in the state of New York. However, in recent months, former wife of millionaire Peter Petrakis has made it just a little easier. Elizabeth Petrakis alleged that she was fraudulently induced to sign a prenup when her husband-to-be made an oral promise to destroy it once the… Read More »