New York Family Law Blog

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.

Published on: September 16, 2011

Dugard Kidnapping Case Expects Guilty Plea

by Stephen Bilkis

A young girl was abducted and kept in a hidden compound for 18 years. The man which is alleged to of kidnapped her and fathered two children with her by rape, is in court on Thursday. It’s likely that he will plead guilty which will at least give the girl and the family a small amount of justice says a New York City Family Lawyer.

The girl was kidnapped when she was 11 in 1991 and held, locked up secretly for 18 years. The accused is already a convicted rapist with a long criminal record explains the NYC Family Lawyer. The man was convicted of kidnapping and raping a girl in 1977.

The girl disappeared while she was on her way to school and his caused her family a great deal of distress.

Published on: September 13, 2011

Divorce doesn’t have to Mean Refinancing

by Stephen Bilkis

Many divorced home owners find it very difficult to remove their name from their mortgage agreement. After buying out the equity stake in the house, the only option that many people have is to refinance according to a New York Family Lawyer. There is however, a much easier option that can help you to avoid the costs and difficulties with refinancing.

Refinancing can actually cost as much as 3-6% of the outstanding balance on the loan. There is however an easy way to avoid this cost. That’s to ask your lender to remove the other partners name from the loan which will leave the loan in only your name. Manhattan and Queens lawyers try to make their services affordable for clients who may not be millionaires.

While this sounds very easy, it’s not actually something that is possible with all lenders. This is known as a release of liability and normally they will need to do a separate credit check on both parties at the time of taking out the loan. They will also normally require both people to agree the changes which could be difficult in some divorces.

Published on: September 8, 2011

Another Hollywood Marriage Bites the Dust

by Stephen Bilkis

Friday, January the 28st 2011 marked the end of a marriage made in Hollywood heaven, said a New York Family Lawyer with inside information. Actress Eva Longoria and her NBA superstar husband Tony Parker terminated their three-year marriage in a courtroom in Texas late last week.

Although anyone who has been following the media storm over the last few weeks which has surrounded the couple knows that the split occurred as a result of Parker’s now infamous infidelity, the divorce petition Longoria submitted to the court flagged irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. In Long Island and Westchester County, divorce cases are handled in a similar way.

Ironically, the state that brought them together was also the state where the storybook marriage came to a dramatic close following Parker’s extramarital tryst. Longoria, who is originally from the Texas town of Corpus Christie, fell for Parker, who is one of the star players for the San Antonio Spurs. On the mend after her painful divorce from Tyler Christopher (of General Hospital fame) in 2004, she fell for Parker. They were married midyear in 2007. The New York Family Lawyer we spoke with said it is not uncommon in the wake of a divorce for unhitched couples to go back to their roots to seek comfort and safety; likely one of the reasons Longoria became involved with Parker.