by rhornberger | Dec 18, 2018
When most people consider child custody on Long Island, they think about married couples getting a divorce and determining how parenting time is divided between the two. However, divorcing couples are not the only people who have to deal with matters of child custody. These issues also affect unmarried parents, and traditionally, most people also think unmarried fathers automatically have fewer parental rights than unmarried mothers do. However, as New York law progresses and the State has realized that a child mentally and emotionally benefits greatly from equal time spent with each parent, unmarried fathers are gaining ground. (more…)
by rhornberger | Dec 11, 2018
A shared child custody agreement on Long Island is basically a 50/50 share of parenting time with the child(ren). In this case it might seem fair and appropriate that the parents should also share 50% of all expenses, but in New York, that is not the way it works. Even in shared child custody arrangements, one parent is deemed the non-custodial parent and that parent is the one who is ordered to pay child support regardless of the amount of time they spend with the child(ren). (more…)
by rhornberger | Nov 20, 2018
Going through a divorce is a difficult process for anyone on Long Island, whether the split was amicable or not, and when children are involved, it can become even more complicated. Maintaining a good co-parenting relationship after your split is essential to ensure that your children are getting what they need from both parties and they do not become tools to direct your anger toward each other. (more…)
by rhornberger | Nov 13, 2018
There are a lot of logistical and financial issues surrounding divorce on Long Island but the emotional issues are just as important, especially when there are children involved.
When a couple decides to divorce, they are often very focused on finances, division of property, and custody issues with their children. Those are all highly important, but there’s another aspect that too often gets overlooked, and lost in the shuffle. All of the emotional concerns that also come along with the decision to separate, and those emotions can strongly affect the children in the home. That’s especially true of younger children who may not understand the process and why it’s happening, but affects older children too.
Here are some things you and your spouse should consider talking to your children about to help them process any fears they have or questions they may have.
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by rhornberger | Oct 23, 2018
When we started our Long Island Divorce and Family Law practice years ago, the question of which spouse kept the beloved dog or house cat was rarely, if ever, raised in divorce proceedings on Long Island. However, in today’s society, many people treat their pets as members of the family. In many cases pets are treated just as well and loved nearly as much as they treat and love our their own children. This is all well and good until one spouse initiates a divorce and the reality of establishing two separate households, and the fact that the beloved family pet will only reside in one of those households, kicks in. (more…)
by rhornberger | Oct 2, 2018
As a Long Island Divorce and Family Law Attorney, I constantly meet with prospective clients seeking to reduce their child support payment. Just this week, my law firm successfully defended two separate petitions brought by fathers seeking to reduce their child support payments. In both cases, the court determined that the fathers did not prove a sufficient change in circumstances which would allow the court to reduce their child support payments. (more…)
