Category Archives: Family Law

A Michigan child support obligation includes payment for the general care and needs of a child (base support), medical support and child care expenses. The Michigan Courts follow a formula to determine child support which considers each parent’s incomes, the amount of time the child spends with each parent and the child’s medical and childContinue reading “How Do Michigan Courts Determine Child Support?”

New York Courts will enforce custody foreign orders under the UCCJEA [The Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act]. This includes both orders from other States as well as Orders issued by Foreign Countries. However other Countries will not generally enforce Orders issued by United States Courts unless they are a signatory to the Hague ChildContinue reading “How International Child Abduction Changes the New York Custody Dispute”

It was not until our modern era that domestic violence was a recognized crime which merited court intervention. Slapping your wife was fine in bygone days because she was your property anyway. People also did not get involved in private family matters. Today, slapping your wife is not okay but neither is verbal abuse.  NewContinue reading “Why Domestic Violence Is Not Just About Hitting in Family Law Matters”

Plenty of people look at Jeff Bezos multi billion dollar divorce settlement and assume that just based on the amount, it must have been unfair. However, domestic relations laws have evolved over time to become more fair. Just like in New York, the domestic relations law used to adjudicate Mr Bezos divorce took into accountContinue reading “Why Jeff Bezos’ Multi-Billiondollar Divorce Settlement Was Fair”

It seems easy enough to split certain marital assets like bank accounts, real property and personal property, but certain other assets require expert advice like pension funds, stock options and similar creatures of finance. Here are a few examples of the unique issues faced with these kinds of assets.  You cannot just split a pensionContinue reading “Why Splitting Marital Assets Requires Expert Advice”

An Annulment is the preferred route by those who do not want to carry a perceived stigma of being divorced. It is essentially ‘undoing’ a marriage rather than severing a marriage. A New York Annulment carries a burden of proof requirement not required by a ‘no fault’ divorce. Pursuant to New York Domestic Relations LawContinue reading “Why an Annulment is Not Quicker Than a Divorce”

Prenuptial Agreements are not just for successful men who marry the plastic trophy wife. ‘Working girls’ in today’s era of independence need to protect their assets before they let love carry them away. It’s important to consider a prenuptial agreement not only where you own a company but also have a professional career which generatesContinue reading “Why the Working Girl Needs a Prenuptial Agreement to Protect Her Assets”

Some people like to cut corners and save money at every possible instance. In some cases it makes sense but in your Divorce proceeding it is the worst idea in the world. You get what you pay for. Even the old saying is true that a Lawyer who represents himself has a fool as hisContinue reading “Why It is a Bad Idea to Self-Represent in a Divorce”

Yes there is freedom of religion, but not until you are 18 years old. Child Custody Agreements which specify a child’s religious upbringing, schooling and other particulars generally do stand up in New York Courts. Therefore it is best to be careful about what you agree to in writing regarding the upbringing of your child.Continue reading “Do Agreements About Child’s Religion and Upbringing Standup in Court?”

If a New York Court granted you custody of your child, you may assume that you are entitled to move the child wherever you want to go. However, that is inaccurate. Why can’t you do what you want with your own child once you have an Order of Custody? Here are a few reasons why: Continue reading “Why You May Need the Court’s Permission to Relocate Your Child”