New York Family Law Blog

Published on: November 12, 2011

More Couples Divorcing as Recession Eases

by Stephen Bilkis

There has been an increase in the number of divorce cases in recent months. One possible reason for this happening is because of the recession becoming much less serious. It’s thought that several people who were in troubled marriages simply waited until the financial crises have eased slightly. People start to feel more comfortable in their abilities and future and so will start divorcing.

A previous employee of Disney World decided that it was the right time for her to divorce, and leave her partner. She explained to a Suffolk County Divorce Lawyer that she had been in a troubled marriage for several years before deciding to leave.

It has been explained that during the real estate boom a couple of years ago, her husband took some of the equity from their home to buy apartment units. The apartment units were bought through the spouses name to benefit from a better credit rating, it was explained. However, due to the financial crisis many of these apartments remained empty. This meant that unpaid rent notices and loan payments were quickly becoming out of control. The couple had no choice other than declare bankruptcy.

Published on: November 8, 2011

Baseball Star DUI while Young Son in the Vehicle

by Stephen Bilkis

Dwight Gooden, 46 and a former Mets and Yankee star, was recently sentenced to five years of probation for driving under the influence while taking his young son to school. He had cocaine and sleeping pills in his system.

Gooden faced three years in prison due to an earlier plea agreement, but a Superior Court judge said the defendant deserved another chance to eradicate his addiction. New York Family Attorneys report that the judge referred to Gooden as a decent guy with a good shot at “finishing the game.” He said that the National Cy Young Award winner of 1985 should think of himself as a fourth-inning pitcher being hammered by the batters of the opposing team. His coaches are considering taking him out of the game. In this analogy, the judge was saying that being removed from the game would result in ruining his legacy, embarrassing and possibly alienating his children, missing a significant portion of their childhood, or even death. And it’s up to Gooden to decide if he wants to play with the attitude of staying in the game.

The prosecutor tried to sway the judge’s decision by citing Gooden’s history. The former MLB player has a slew of failed treatments under his belt. The prosecuting attorney insisted that the former baseball star should have to serve time in prison because he didn’t deserve or qualify for special probation.

Published on: November 4, 2011

Actor Michael C. Hall to Divorce Wife

by Stephen Bilkis

At least he didn’t kill her. Star of the hit TV Show DEXTER, Michael C. Hall has filed for divorce from his soon to be former wife, Jennifer Carpenter, said a New York Family Law Lawyer. The two had been married for roughly two years. The split was said to be amicable, with both sides releasing their own press releases. It has been consistent that each press release noted that the two still cared for one another, that they would always be friends, but that they had simply grown apart over the years.

One potential source of strain may have been Hall himself, reports a person close to the situation. The famed actor, who portrays a vicious serial killer on TV, has battled cancer for the past few years. He is reportedly finally clear and free of the disease, having completed treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier in two thousand and ten. A NY City Family Law Lawyer noted that often times it is difficult for a marriage to survive such an ordeal. While the couple typically stays together throughout the difficult period of time, the strain is so much that it damages the love in the long run. There is no report this was the case with Hall and Carpenter, however.

The TV Show DEXTER stars Hall as a serial killer who kills other serial killers. He satisfies his violent urges by only killing the guilty. It is a hit for SHOWTIME and seen all over in places like Brooklyn and Suffolk County.

Published on: November 2, 2011

Divorce Hearing in Judge’s Chambers Ends in Brutal Attack

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Family Lawyer reports on a brutal attack that took place in judge’s chambers. An ex-Marine and his wife, also a former Marine, were meeting in judge’s chambers for their final divorce hearing when the husband viciously and ‘without provocation’ attacked his wife. The attack resulted in extensive facial and head trauma.

Authorities rushed the 23-year old woman to the hospital where she, bruised and swollen, was listed as ‘in stable condition,’ but because of the worry of a head injury, she had to be kept overnight in the intensive care unit for observation. She sustained a facial fracture, torn lip, and broken nose.

Her husband, the attacker, had to be subdued with a stun gun and is being held in the local jail on the charges of felony battery, domestic violence and resisting arrest without violence, according to police reports.

Published on: October 30, 2011

50 Cent deals with son’s visitation issue in Central Islip Family Court reports a New York Family Lawyer

by Stephen Bilkis

Curtis Jackson also known as 50 Cent has come to terms with his ex-girlfriend regarding his 11 year old son’s visitation said a New York Family Lawyer. He will be able to spend 1 weekend per month, as well as one month in the summer and half of both his winter and spring breaks. Both parents seems to be satisfied with the decision made in Suffolk County Family Court in Central Islip, New York. 50 Cent’s son Marquise is a resident of Dix Hills, Long Island.

Child Visitation in The Bronx and Westchester County is when a non-custodial parents wishes to visit with the child. Child Visitation is closley related to Child Custody when the main priority is whats in the best interest of the child.

If you find yourself in need of legal representation call our office for a free consultation with a New York Visitation Lawyer. We can be reached at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW [1800-696-9529]. Whether you have a visitation, custody, child support, divorce, abuse & neglect or order of protection, call us to speak with one of our Family Lawyers.At Stephen Bilkis and Associates we have handled all concepts of Family Law including visitation cases. Each New York Visitation Lawyer in our office is patient and experienced in handling the complex issues that arise while trying to raise children with court intervention.

Published on: October 25, 2011

Robin Givens and Mike Tyson had an interesting divorce

by Stephen Bilkis

Robin Givens and Mike Tyson are matched against each other in a fight which is bound to end up in a Knockout… probably with Tyson taking the blows and winding up on the canvas.

With visitation and child custody in the balance, you should hire a New York Family Lawyer when confronted by a divorce. An attorney with knowledge and experience is your best way to achieve the goals you need to reach in these troubled waters..

After months of fighting and slinging claims back and forth, they both filed for divorce. Tyson countersued Givens after she filed in court. She claimed that he beat her and made her life unbearable while he blamed the mother-in-law, Ruth Roper for many of the problems. He says that Roper lied to him about Robin being pregnant to force him into marriage. He also said that both his wife and her mother had tried to keep him away from his old friends in Manhattan and Suffolk County, particularly his Black friends.

Published on: October 21, 2011

Madoff’s Daughter-in-Law’s Uncertain Future

by Stephen Bilkis

Stephanie Madoff had no idea of the events that were about to unfold on the morning of December 11, 2010. The Disney World trip she was enjoying with her 4-year old daughter and her own mother was the getaway both she and her daughter needed in order to create new and better memories for the two, a New York Family Attorney heard. What lay before her as the morning progressed would change both her and her daughter’s lives yet again.

At some point after 6 a.m. the 35-year old Stephanie would check her phone for any messages. While the first message that she received from her husband, Mark Madoff, was bothersome, it was the second message that sent her into a state of panic. The second message simply said, “I love you,” in the subject line, and contained an empty message body. She immediately contacted her stepfather to the couple’s New York apartment to investigate, and what he discovered would shake the woman to her core.

What Stephanie Madoff’s stepfather discovered in their apartment, was Mark Madoff hanging from a ceiling beam with a black dog leash wrapped around his neck. He was 46-years of age at the time of his death. A NY City Family Lawyer was also told that he did not leave a suicide note behind, and the last two messages that Stephanie received were all she had left.

Published on: October 17, 2011

Family charged for Illegal Entry to the US

by Stephen Bilkis

A distressed mother of an alleged 14-year-old alleged murderer has just been charged with entering the United States illegally, according to New York Family Lawyers and is facing deportation.

The 43-year-old suspect was arrested with her husband and taken from their apartment, where they lived for nearly eight years to be federally charged with illegal re-entry after previous deportation according to local police reports.

In 1997, the mother was originally deported for possession of rock cocaine according to police reports. No records indicated that she applied to be reinstated to the United States. Her husband was originally deported back in May of 2002.

Published on: October 13, 2011

Former Gotti Insider Alleges Legal Malpractice of Former Attorney

by Stephen Bilkis

Mobster John Gotti’s former “right-hand man and adopted son,” says that Florida lawyers, one in particular, are bigger crooks than the Mafia ever was, a New York Family Lawyer was told. The former mobster and current government witness is suing his former divorce attorney for alleged “extortion of fees, legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract.” He is seeking more than $2 million in damages.

The alleged legal malpractice stems from the time when the “adopted son” was going through a divorce from his estranged wife in Palm Springs, FL. The suit alleges that when he was exiting the courthouse at Delray Beach, FL, when he says he saw his divorce attorney in a compromising physical position. He went on to add that, in his own words, “I was walking out in the parking lot after a court hearing when I saw them together and he had his tongue down her mouth.” As part of his statements that are included in the lawsuit, his lawyer had an ongoing relationship with his wife’s attorney.

While his former attorney vehemently denies the allegations, the former “right-hand” of Gotti, refers to another incident that occurred in the courtroom when he raised the allegations during his divorce proceedings. He states that the female attorney rushed out of the courtroom, while in tears and with her client with her. She reportedly then went to the restroom and “laid on the floor kicking and screaming.” It was reported that his ex-wife had to calm the attorney before returning to the courtroom.

Published on: October 10, 2011

Gay Ex-Governor’s Divorce Trial Is On

by Stephen Bilkis

Gov. McGreevey and his estranged wife have started to move towards their divorce by entering court. This comes after many months of chaos and public scrutiny. There is no word of a settlement so far as the Judge, Karen Cassidy, hears arguments about the custody of the McGreevey’s daughter who is in Kingergarten.

The couple has been arguing over custody and money for the past few months.

Dina Matos McGreevey, 41, is asking for $600,000 for injury sustained because her husband had to resign in disgrace after admitting he was gay and had an affair with a male staffer who says he was harassed and was not a willing sex partner of the governor’s. If this situation happened in Brooklyn and Manhattan it would be wise to consult with a NY Family Lawyer.