In a recent divorce case in Staten Island, before Judge Ronald Castorina, Jr. the court made it clear that there is a big difference between child- care costs and maintenance or child support payments. The court granted the plaintiff wife her request for expenses of child-care for a nanny although the husband argued against it. The husband [...]
There was a recent family law support case in Family Court, Nassau County, New York, whereby a father filed a downward modification petition against the mother, alleging his employment changed, along with experiencing a drastic salary reduction, and he sought to reduce his child support obligation for the parties' son. The court found that the [...]
May is the fifth month of the year. The origin of the word is a combination of the Roman goddess, Maia Majesta, who was the goddess of fertility and growth, and the Greek name, Maia, also a goddess and her name meant mother, nurse, or midwife. As such, May can be viewed as the month of [...]
One of my favorite aspects of my practice is acting as a mediator. I have been a mediator for over 25 years. I have met with and helped countless couples come to terms with the ending of their relationship or marriage. With my help they have amicably resolved their differences culminating in an agreement that is fair and [...]
In a recent third department case, the court found that New York Family Court had jurisdiction over a custody case even though the child resided half the year in California. There was a family court Order in June 2016 whereby the parents were granted legal and physical custody with the child spending half the year with [...]
April is upon us. Where did April get its name from? April derives its name from the word aperio, meaning open. This is because plants and buds bloom and open in spring. April is synonymous with spring, renewal, and rebirth. The daisy and the sweet pea are the flowers of April and the diamond is the gemstone. April 1st is April [...]
Recently, there was an article in the New York Law Journal about how highly stressed lawyers are 22 times more times likely to consider suicide. It states that lawyers who suffer from perfectionism, self reliance and unflinching commitment to their work are predicted to be more prone to suicidal ideology when pushed too hard. (New York [...]
In a recent case in New York County, Wong v. Wong, 158126-2017 published on November 9 in the New York Law Journal, a husband and a wife entered into a stipulation of settlement to settle their divorce proceeding after the court had conducted a hearing to determine what was marital property and how to distribute it. The [...]
March is named for the Roman God of War, Mars. It was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. March also brings the first day of spring with the vernal equinox. We wait with anticipation for signs of spring-buds on the trees, forsythias about to bloom, daffodils and crocuses peaking their [...]
In a recent court case in New York County, Matter of A.C. v. G.P., O-02931-21 (November 18th), a Family Court Judge found that a petitioner who had filed a family offense petition requesting an order of protection was not credible, and the case was dismissed. What is of interest in this particular case is that, in [...]