There were several recent court cases involving issues which are often matters that are of great concern to our clients at the DePalo Law Firm. one being relocation, and the second involved a child support downward modification. In a case where a father retired on disability, the court found that his retirement alone, even though [...]
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of spring? For me, blooming flowers, melting snow, brighter and longer days, birds singing as they build their nests, warmer weather, planting vegetable and flower gardens, and spring cleaning. Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 a.m. on March 8th. We spring ahead. Unfortunately, we lose an hour of sleep, but it is worth it. Spring evokes thoughts of [...]
Under New York law, the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration in custody determinations. (Matter of Romero-Flores v Hernandez, 214 AD3d 882, 882 [2023]; see Matter of Haase v Jones, 230 AD3d 774, 777 [2024]; Matter of Mazo v Volpert, 223 AD3d 907, 908-909 [2024]). In determining the child's best interests, the [...]
This month we celebrate President's Day on February 15. We particularly honor Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. This February I thought it might be interesting to discuss what made them such great leaders. George Washington was considered the father of our country. Washington was a man of faith and action. Our first president believed deeply [...]
You cannot really live if you do not accept death, If you do not accept the fact that we grow old and eventually die your life will be full of fear, anxiety, constant distractions and you will have a fear of growing old. A way to face this fear and to take responsibility for your life is planning for your death. Acknowledging and accepting the inevitable will alleviate a burden on your family if your health fails and when you [...]
I always thought the best way to begin the New Year was to list what I would like to accomplish in the new year. My list would range from losing weight, eating clean, what books to read, what vacations I wanted to take, starting a new hobby, ideas for improving my practice, and how I could better serve my clients. This year, instead of looking ahead, I decided to look back. I looked at [...]
The courts are obliged to give a Last Will and Testament the utmost weight and to challenge a will the person making the challenge must prove at least one of the following deficiencies: Winning a will contest requires proving a valid legal challenge, such as: Lack of testamentary capacity: The testator did not have the [...]
December is full of light and warmth even though the temperature turns colder and the winter solstice is on December 21, which is the shortest day of the year. The month's full moon is December 4, 2025, and it is called the Cold Moon named by the Mohawks due to the frigid temperatures in winter. [...]
While November is most associated with Thanksgiving, gratitude, blessings and the beginning of the holiday season, it is traditionally a month to consider endings and the delicate balance between life-and-death. November in the Catholic tradition is a time to contemplate death and eternal life. It is the month we celebrate the saints on November 1st [...]
Question: Does a custodial parent who receives child support have to share in medical premiums paid by the non custodial parent who pays child support? The answer is YES Under New York's Child Support Standards Act (CSSA), NY CLS Dom Rel § 240, the court determines the obligation of parents to provide health insurance coverage [...]