New York Family Law Blog

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.

Published on: October 7, 2011

Edwards’ Daughter To Wed

by Stephen Bilkis

The daughter of Elizabeth Edwards gave her mother the greatest piece of news she’d ever receive: she was getting married. Just days before Beth passed away after a long struggle with cancer, her daughter Cate let her know she was engaged to her longtime love, a doctor, said a New York City Family Lawyer. For Edwards, who has seen her life take on a roller coaster ride that few would ever endure for as long as she did, it was the news that helped her leave this world with a smile on her face. Reaction in Nassau and Suffolk Counties was very positive.

Cate is an anti-discrimination attorney in Washington D.C. and friends have said that she and her mother are remarkably similar. The two were as close as any mother and daughter could be, often chit chatting on the phone for hours on end about every little thing one could think of. Friends said that they even held their phones the same way!

For Beth, it was needed joy. After learning that her ex-husband, the famed John Edwards who famously ran as Vice President with John Kerry in a losing effort in 2004, had cheated on her in a high profile and public fashion, she was diagnosed with cancer, notes a New York City Family Lawyer. She had fought cancer once before, beating it back, but this latest return was considered much grimmer. Thankfully, before she died, she got to smile one last time knowing she would be a grandparent.

Published on: October 3, 2011

Supreme Court ruling allows grandparents custody rights

by Stephen Bilkis

 The Supreme Court in South Dakota has ruled in favor of grandparents being granted parental custody of their grandchildren, said a NY Family Lawyer. This ruling is being seen as a victory for children whose parents are seen as unfit because it gives the children a chance to have a stable family life with grandparents or other people who love them instead of being thrust into foster care with strangers.   The Family Lawyer in NYC mentioned that in such circumstances, a judge will rule in favor of the grandparents or others who know the child if it has been deemed that the biological parents are not capable of providing basic needs, like food, shelter and clothing. This comes as great news to grandparents and other relatives who do not want to see the children taken out of the context of their family because of the ineptitude of the parents.   According to the Lawyer, it makes sense to allow the children to be raised by family members who are not their parents because it gives them stability in knowing that they are valued members of their family and that even though their biological parents may have been facing unforeseen circumstances that has labeled them unfit, they can continue to be appreciated and nurtured within the larger family unit that they have come to know.   Reports received by the courts in New York City and Long Island suggest that drug and alcohol abuse can contribute to a biological parent losing custody of their children, as con domestic violence. Extenuating circumstances such as homelessness can also be cases in which another family member might win custody of the child if it is seen as being a solution that offers the child a better quality of life and stability.   Determining custody and parental rights can be stressful and emotionally devastating, especially when one does not know all of the options available in such a situation.

A New York Family Attorney can help ease the struggle and pain in situations where the needs of the child must be taken into consideration. A reputable New York Family Attorney will represent you fairly, honestly and accurately. The firm of Stephen Bilkis & Associates with convenient locations thorughout the Metropolitan Area, including servicing Tribeca, NY City, can be of invaluable assistance to you if you find yourself a party to a case. Facing the Court without professional representation could lead to disastrous results.

Published on: September 29, 2011

Sealing records of underage offenders offers the benefit of punishment without the long term career implications

by Stephen Bilkis

Though it is true that parents are legally responsible for their children’s actions, it is a fact that kids will make their own decisions in the heat of the moment, and not all of those decisions will be well thought out. All kids make mistakes, no matter how well they have been parented. For this reason, our legal system finds it easier to show compassion for first time offenses when a teenager is involved, according to a New York Family Lawyer.   As a society, we tend to give young people the benefit of the doubt, brushing off first time offenses like possession of alcohol. The New York Family Lawyer reports that in the case of alcohol, leniency may only exacerbate the problem. If children get off the first time, they will often repeat their behavior again later, and when alcohol and automobiles are involved, the combination can be deadly.   A new proposal is in the works for cities such as Boulder. This new proposition would punish for first time offenses, but would then effectively seal the arrest records so that their offense would not be visible on their permanent record. This would make it easier for them to get a job in the future, and they would still get the effects of a more stringent punishment for their first offense, in hopes that it would deter them from future offenses.   Underage drinking has the potential to destroy families and lives. It is imperative that we teach our children not to make these mistakes the first time. But if they do make a mistake, if their first offense is followed by punishment rather than a slap on the wrist, it is likely that they won’t choose to repeat it.   Families in Nassau and Suffolk Counties in crisis need stable support and a strong, knowledgeable hand to guide them.

if your family comes under scrutiny or if life changing events occur, call a New York Family Attorney for the guiding hand that will help you. A New York Family Attorney has the expertise and experience to point you in the right direction.

Published on: September 26, 2011

Paul McCartney’s Wife Acting As Own Lawyer-Don’t Imitate Her, Get A New York Divorce Lawyer

by Stephen Bilkis

Miss Mills is ending her two year relationship for financial reasons, or so it seems. The x-Beatle has been able to hold her off and avoid the long and winding road which will lead to a big pay day for Heather. Paul believes in yesterday. She is thought to have received only a relatively small interim payment. Child abuse and neglect are not at issue here so, no order of protection has been put into effect. Being her own council will enable Mills to question McCartney. This should be very interesting and throw off some high powered fire works.

New York City Family Lawyers as well as those in Manhattan handle these high profile divorces all the time. McCartney seems to be in this situation every few years. Fortunately for him the royalties keep coming in so he can afford the alimony and legal fees.

The firm of Stephen Bilkis & Associates with convenient locations thorughout the Metropolitan Area, including servicing Greenwich Village, can be of invaluable assistance to you if you find yourself a party to a case. Facing the Court without professional representation could lead to disastrous results. If you are embroiled in a family dispute like divorce, it is very important to consult with N.Y. Family Lawyer. He will explain the issues of visitation, joint custody and full custody which will likely be involved. A well qualified attorney increases the chances of your coming to a fair resolution to the difficulties you and your family are facing.

Published on: September 23, 2011

A third child in Queens dies from shaking

by Stephen Bilkis

A father in Queens has been arrested for violently shaking his eight month old son to death. The father admitted to officials to repeatedly shaking and even punching the baby in the back when he could not get him to stop crying. The baby was on life support for over a week at Schneider Children’s Hospital but could not recover from his extensive injuries and passed away. The mother of the child had left their home on errands, and upon returning only twenty minutes later, found the father calling authorities for help, remarks a New York Family Lawyer. The boy’s injuries included a lacerated liver, severe eye and brain damage, and rib fractures. The organs of the child were donated once he was removed from the life support system. The father’s original charge is endangering the welfare of a child and assault, but he could be elevated to a murder charge upon facing the grand jury. The District Attorney was shocked that a father could inflict this brutal abuse on such a young and innocent child. Authorities in Nassau and Suffolk County treat these cases very seriously as they should.

Two other children in Queens under the age of two have died from the same brutality in the last month, at the hand of their babysitters. The sitters have been charged with second-degree murder. A third child was also critically injured from a shaking incident. A NY Family Attorney states that no child should be shaken for any reason. It only takes three seconds of this violent act to cause death or damage that cannot be repaired.

Families traumatized by child abuse should contact a New York Family Lawyer. These innocent ones deserve to be protected from such violence. Call a New York Family Lawyer today if your angel has been victimized.

Published on: September 21, 2011

Christie Brinkley Divorced

by Stephen Bilkis

Christie Brinkley, known for her beauty, is starting to set records for failed marriages. She has announced her separation from her fourth and current husband. A NYC Family Lawyer is constantly involved in these high profile cases. Billy Joel was number two and she and Billy had a daughter together.

After a decade of marital bliss, Brinkley is calling it quits with Peter Cooke. She has a daughter with Cooke, and a son with Richard Taubman who was husband number three. Attorneys in Queens and Staten Island study these cases in case one comes their way.

Taubman made out well when the couple split. He was paid a couple of million to leave the marriage quietly and go on his way. the marriage only lasted 10 months. As for Billy Joel, he was also coming off a failed marriage when he met and married “The Uptown Girl.” He is married again to Katie Lee and that one is still going.