New York Family Law Blog

Published on: January 15, 2012

Marriage Counselor Owed $10,000

by Stephen Bilkis

A lady hired marriage counseling services in 2009 and the bills mounted up to $10,476. The fees were high because she wanted a Pennsylvania based counselor to fly to Los Angles for the counseling. Then she failed to pay any of the fees, or travel expenses. The couple has since received their divorce noted a New York Family Lawyer.

The woman is currently being sued by Creative Energy Options because she did not agree to pay them the money that she owed. The marriage counseling services were provided in 2009, but she refuses to pay.

The divorce between the couple was finalized in December 2009. But earlier in the year she is said to of hired a Pennsylvania based marriage counseling firm. She asked them to fly all the way to Los Angeles to offer counseling services. The company explained that she was made fully aware of the costs, and the fact that she would have to pay for traveling expenses.

Published on: January 15, 2012

Woman’s Wrongful Death Suit Reinstated by Appeals Court

by Stephen Bilkis

“A state appeals court reinstated a woman’s lawsuit,” a New York Family Lawyer reports. The wrongful death suit was over a man she had considered to be her husband for four years, but who was not divorced from his previous wife before their wedding day.

The Sixth District Court of Appeals in ruled that someone who “believed in good faith” that he or she was legally married is, indeed, entitled to marital rights – including the right to sue in the case of wrongful death. This ruling goes against more than 20 years of opposing rulings in the cases of “putative spouses.”

A putative spouse is one who mistakenly believes they are married. California courts have recognized the rights of such spouses for a century or more. Legislation affirmed those same rights in 1969.

Published on: November 24, 2011

Law Students try to make a difference in Child Support and Custody cases

by Stephen Bilkis

A group of students in Orange County, Florida have taken the law into their own hands, and they just might win. The students are Law Students at FAMU, studying with a prominent New York City Family Lawyer, and they have developed the bill as a forward-thinking response to child support issues in the state of Florida.

Statistically, almost 20,000 children make their way into the foster system in the state of Florida each year, most being removed from parents by the state Department of Human Resources. This volume of people creates a tangible burden on the state of Florida, one which the New York Family Lawyer and his students think that absentee parents should help to shoulder.

Essentially, the bill drafted by the students re-configures the way that forced removals are considered under the law, and applies the same rules as those that apply during custody and support hearings for custodial parents. Parents of children who have been removed from their homes would be required to pay a sort of “child support”, said the Long Island Child Support Lawyer.Opponents of the bill claim that the new system would be unethical, similar to charging “rent” to incarcerated prisoners. They also claim that placing additional financial hardship on families who could not properly care for their children in the first place can only make matters worse. The bill’s authors have claimed that the bill will contain language which allows for indigent parents, and those truly unable to pay, to apply to have the fee waived.

Published on: November 24, 2011

Divorce Numbers Rise as Economic Recession Passes

by Stephen Bilkis

The Recession of 2007-2009 presented many people worldwide with problems that most had never seen before in their lifetimes. Although the global economy continues to struggle, most would agree that the recession is easing and many are beginning to put their lives back in order. A Brooklyn Divorce Lawyer has learned that although many couples are getting their finances back on track, there are others who have decided to call it quits as a couple.

Those who have studied certain points in history, such as the Great Depression, and various recessions and depressions that have occurred since, have indicated that most couples have a tendency to stick together during times of economic hardship. However, once better times begin to emerge, there is usually an increase in the number of divorces that are filed. While there is some discussion as to the exact cause for this, many do agree that when the prospects appear better to exit a bad marriage, that many people will take that path. This often occurs more whenever financial prospects appear better than when it does not.

While the economic recession may be concluding for many, there are perhaps just as many who continue to have financial difficulties. The number of personal bankruptcies being filed remain at similar levels, and that the financial stress continues to cause many couples to have problems. Financial stress is one of the biggest reasons that couples file for divorce. Many couples continue to struggle with mortgage payments that both parties submitted to without issues during better economic times, but when the economy soured so did their credit scores and bank accounts.Not to mentioin, if children are involved, the high legal costs asscoiated with a child custody battle, equitable distribution or child support payments.

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.