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 | 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 30, 2018
Although getting married is an exciting and romantic time for a Long Island couple, there are a few things that need to be in order first — and we’re not talking about the wedding decorations. A prenuptial agreement is an important document that addresses the property rights and assets of each individual should they get a divorce at some point in the future. Some people say that true love doesn’t need a prenup, but nothing could be further from the truth. A prenuptial agreement is essential for all New York marriages. Before you draft your prenup, understand what can — and should — be included, and what you can’t list on this type of legal agreement. (more…)
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 | Sep 25, 2018
Many Long Island couples dealing with divorce or family law matters find that, even once they reach an agreement regarding the custody and parenting time of their children, they are still faced with difficulties in effectuating that agreement.
We have found that one of the biggest concerns of our clients, who are also parents, raise is that they feel they cannot have a civil conversation with their soon-to-be ex-spouse about their children.
Naturally, our clients get frustrated, upset and overwhelmed that they thought the hardest part of their divorce or family law matter is behind them, and it appears that it is not. As time passes and the parents’ wounds begin to heal, communication naturally gets easier, ex-spouses become less argumentative with each other and are able to co-parent more effectively.
However, before reaching that point, our clients look to us for guidance and assistance in their attempts to establish a civil relationship with their soon-to-be ex-spouse. Following are tried-and-true methods to get through this difficult period with as little conflict as possible. (more…)
by rhornberger | Jun 5, 2018
When Long Island parents decide to end a relationship, regardless of whether that relationship is a marriage, custody of the child or children often becomes a major, and sometimes heated issue. Child custody is often an emotional issue in the best of circumstances, but when drug or alcohol abuse by one parent is involved or suspected, it becomes all the more complex.
General Rules of Child Custody on Long Island
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