Family law is the term that is applied to the laws and rules developed regarding family relationships. Typically, family law attorneys assist people with the making and breaking of family relationships. Specific areas of representation usually include marriage and relationship planning, divorce, paternity, child custody and child support. When you are faced with an important life decision regarding a key family relationship, the advice and assistance of an experienced family law attorney often proves crucial to your understanding of the issues involved and your satisfaction with the ultimate outcome of the family-related concern you face.

     The decision to end a marriage is one of the most difficult and wrenching you will face. Seeking advice from a knowledgeable domestic relations attorney, as early as possible, will go a long way toward preserving your long-term financial and emotional health as you move toward a new future.

Our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with a full range of matrimonial issues, among them: agreements (pre-nuptial, post-nuptial, and separation), custody and visitation, equitable distribution, spousal and child support issues, license and professional practice valuations, enforcement and modification proceedings, awards of counsel fees and experts fees.

Understanding that most clients prefer to resolve their matrimonial difficulties on an amicable basis, the firm prides itself in having significant experience negotiating equitable and just settlements whenever possible. We can help you establish or modify spousal support or maintenance, post-divorce issues, marital property issues and domestic abuse.

Sophisticated matrimonial practice requires far more than the drafting of legal documents or negotiating settlements. It entails uncovering hidden assets and appraising the "real" value of a business, profession or other valuable marital assets. Our practice includes equitable distribution; financial analysis of marital assets; enforcement of court-orders; support obligations; and separation and pre-nuptial agreements.

Obtaining successful results for our clients require thorough investigations of their and their spouses' complex finances, which may include stock options, deferred compensation plans, real estate, brokerage accounts, foreign accounts, offshore trusts and deferred tax planning devices that are very difficult to unravel and value.

     Nothing is more heartbreaking than a child caught in the middle of a custody or child support battle. Our firm works hard to ensure that all parties remember that the real client in any support or custody dispute is the child. We work with parents in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester and Nassau Counties to reach a result that is in the best interest of the child and works for all parties involved.

     Our expertise and skill in the child custody arena is unquestioned. We take only those cases in which we strongly believe; so you can be assured that when we do accept a case, we will do whatever it takes, within the full extent of the law, to reach the desired result. However, we will always be honest with you and work to set reasonable, realistic expectations about the outcome of your case.

     Custody disputes may also occur with unmarried parents, grandparents or other individuals with visitation rights. If you are in such a situation, we can help you protect your rights and do what is best for you and the child. Whether you are a non-custodial parent seeking custody or modification of the parenting plan or of child support obligations, a parent with full or primary custody seeking modification of a visitation schedule or a child support award, or a grandparent seeking visitation rights with your grandchildren, you need expert, caring legal counsel to keep the process civil and moving forward. For best results, you should seek counsel as early in the process as possible, before relations become acrimonious and positions entrenched.

     Understanding further that some matters cannot be settled, the firm has extensive experience litigating highly complex financial, property and support related issues as well as issues of custody and visitation.

     The firm handles all aspects of litigation including motions, depositions, trials and appeals, as well as mediation and arbitration. We practice in the Supreme Court and Family Court in the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, New York, Westchester and Queens, as well as all appellate courts, including the Court of Appeals.