Staten Island Child Custody Lawyer
At the law office of Anne-Louise DePalo, Esq., we provide experienced, efficient, and effective representation to clients in family law and estate planning matters. As a law firm with more than 30 years of experience, we have significant experiencing helping individuals and families through tough legal matters. To find out more about our areas of practice, follow the links below or contact our law office online.
Family Law
New York Divorce
Getting divorced in New York doesn’t have to be a prolonged, confusing, and emotionally draining experience. Our goal as your law firm is to help you finalize your divorce as quickly as possible, while protecting your rights and helping you prepare for the future.
Divorce Mediation
While we are an experienced divorce law firm, we are not an advocate for either side when we serve as mediators. Rather, I gather pertinent information, explain the law and provide information about what the likely outcome would be if the issue was put before the court. Then we attempt to create an agreement addressing the needs of both sides.
Marital Property Division
While the division of marital property seems straightforward, there are many factors that can make the issue more complicated. One of those issues is deciding whether it makes financial sense to keep your house.
Child Custody and Visitation
Some parents begin the divorce process by saying they want sole custody of their children. However, New York courts favor joint custody and a parenting plan to ensure both parents can actively participate in their children’s lives. One parent will usually be designated as the residential parent. We have experience and can create a parenting plan to meet your individual needs.
New York Child Support Guidelines
In New York, the parent who does not have primary residential custody is required to pay child support to the parent with custody. Those payments are determined by a formula that considers the incomes of both parents and the number of children.
Spousal Support and Maintenance
Spousal support, or maintenance, is based on a number of factors, including the length of the marriage, the nonworking spouse’s education and ability to be self-supporting, and other assets available for distribution. It is determined on a case-by-case basis. That is why you need the experience I provide.
Post-Judgment Modifications
Child custody and support can be modified after divorce if there is a change in circumstances.
Domestic Violence
An order of protection can be used to protect yourself against an abusive spouse. Unfortunately, it can also be misused by a spouse trying to get the upper hand in a divorce dispute so you are excluded from the home.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
The division of marital property can be one the most difficult and costly issues to resolve in cases of divorce. For this reason, many people with significant assets choose to outline a property settlement agreement prior to a marriage (prenuptial) or during the marriage (postnuptial). A postnup may actually aid in reconciliation.
Collaborative Law
While many believe that court intervention is required, the collaborative process is based upon a pledge by all parties, both spouses and their attorneys, not to go to Court to resolve their differences and involves the honest exchange of information and open communication in a mutually respectful manner.
Although most people don’t like to talk about wills, people need one. A will provides individuals the opportunity to determine who will receive their estate, and protect their loved ones. It is your last opportunity to leave a legacy.
Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxies
Both powers of attorney and health care proxies allow one individual to act on behalf of another who may be unable to do so independently.
Once an executor or administrator of an estate has been named, we assist in managing the details of preparing for the estate administration process. This may include locating bank accounts, clearing up debt, preparing taxes, and other tasks.
Estate Administration and Probate
Our law firm assists clients in finalizing their loved one’s estate and going through the probate or administration process in court.
To schedule an attorney consultation: Call 718-213-4746 or fill out the contact form on this website. Our law office is located on 94 Hancock Street in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York.