What do Titanic, Hamilton, and Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story have in common? We all know the outcome and yet can’t stop ourselves from watching them again and again. What do I say every time I see Titanic? “You do smell ice.” Hamilton “don’t duel, it never ends well!” and for Betty “don’t shoot!”…
Note: This article is the second part of a series. To read Part One, click here. Families come in many shapes and sizes today, and the law has not kept up with medicine or social values that have created them. Until now. You may be raising the child of your spouse or partner, caring for…
As we say goodbye to 2015, we in the matrimonial bar say hello to new laws about maintenance. Before we explore what the new law is all about, let’s review what the law was prior to the new statute. First, some basics about maintenance: “maintenance” is also known as spousal support (fka alimony). In New…
As the recent supreme court judicial race has just occurred and absentee ballots are still being counted, I thought I would discuss our state system of government as it pertains to the New York State judicial branch. This is part one of a two part series on this subject. The “supreme” court in New York…
People often ask if an attorney is necessary in a divorce or separation. I often wonder if these same people would ask if a doctor is necessary in the operating room when the patient is about to undergo open heart surgery. There are many services out there that advertise assistance with DIY divorce agreements for…
With the onslaught of alternatives to litigation, clients often come in with agreements that they have reached through alternative processes, such as mediation. Unfortunately, in New York State mediation is an unlicensed vocation, and anyone can hang up her shingle and call herself a mediator. There are mediators that have training from intense seminars and…
We have received a lot of positive feedback about our columns in Our Towne. Many readers have told us that the issues discussed and the advice given has been eye-opening. The inspiration for the articles comes from our experiences representing people from all socio-economic backgrounds and education levels. However, the inspiration for this article came…
Mary and John met shortly after John divorced his first wife (Cathy). While they were dating, John shared with Mary details about his divorce from Cathy. John was bitter about the breakup of his marriage and in his mind Cathy was the cause for the divorce. After all, Cathy was the one that wanted the…
