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Your Long Island Adoption Handbook | New York Family Law

Your Long Island Adoption Handbook

What You Need to Know About Adoption
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Adoption can be a meaningful way to grow your family — roughly 107,000 children are waiting to be adopted at any given time. However, adoption can be intimidating to intended parents. The cost, the process, and the legal red tape can feel overwhelming and are often obstacles to successful adoption. Here’s what you need to know about adopting a child on Long Island.

Who Is Adoption Right For?

Adoption is the right option for any family that wants it — in fact, there are 1.5 million adopted children in the United States, and approximately 100 million people have been touched by adoption within their immediate families. You may want to consider adoption if you:

  • Are struggling with infertility and have been unable to conceive a biological child
  • Cannot or do not wish to pursue surrogacy
  • Have a medical condition that makes it impossible for you to safely carry a fetus to term
  • Have genetic disorders that you do not want passed down to your children
  • Want to provide a loving home to a child in need
  • Support the idea of a balanced population
  • Are financially, emotionally, and mentally prepared to bring a child into your home
  • Have a desire to help a child who has been abused, neglected, or harmed in other ways and has been placed in the foster system
  • Are a single parent wanting to start your own family
  • Are in a same-sex relationship and wish to become parents
  • Wish to choose the gender of your child
  • Want to expand your family to include individuals of different ethnicities or cultures
  • Support the decision of birth mothers to place their children for adoption
  • Have a family member or friend who has had a new baby they are unable to care for
  • Want to give a child born in a second or third-world country a chance to live a full and healthy life
  • Do not want to care for an infant and prefer to start your family with an older child
  • Have a stepchild that you want to adopt
  • Feel a calling to adopt a child

Types of Adoption

There are many types of adoption available for different types of families, including:

  • Domestic infant — Adoption of a newborn infant from the U.S., usually after selecting a birth mother in advance.
  • Waiting child — Adoption of a child in the foster system. Sometimes called public agency adoption.
  • International — Adoption of a child from a non-U.S. territory.
  • Independent — Adoption that takes place after the birth mother and intended parents connect through independent means versus an agency. Sometimes called a private adoption.
  • Open — Adoption that allows the birth parents and adoptive parents to maintain communication after the adoption is finalized.
  • Closed — Adoption that does not allow the birth parents and adoptive parents to maintain communication after the adoption is finalized.
  • Private agency — Adoption that takes place through a licensed child-placement agency.

 

In New York, court records of all adoptions are sealed, even in open adoptions. They cannot be accessed by the adoptive parents, birth parents, the adopted child, or the public.

‘The process of adopting a child, whether an older child in the foster system or a newborn infant from a birth mother, can be extraordinarily complex. It’s critical that you have a good understanding of the adoption process and what will be required of you at each stage.’

In New York, court records of all adoptions are sealed, even in open adoptions. They cannot be accessed by the adoptive parents, birth parents, the adopted child, or the public.

Understanding the Adoption Process

The process of adopting a child, whether an older child in the foster system or a newborn infant from a birth mother, can be extraordinarily complex. It’s critical that you have a good understanding of the adoption process and what will be required of you at each stage.

1. Learn About Adoption

The first step to making an adoption decision is learning about it. Ask friends or family members who have adopted about their experience. Consult adoption professionals for answers to your questions, and join online support groups to get a glimpse of day-to-day issues that both prospective and successful adoptive parents experience. Go over the fundamentals, such as the cost of adoption, home requirements, legal needs, etc.

“The average expense of adopting a child from a private agency is just under $40,000, while an independent adoption costs about $5,000 less. Adopting a waiting child, however, is significantly less. The average cost of a public agency adoption is under $3,000.”

2. How Much Does an Adoption Cost on Long Island?

The cost of adoption varies greatly depending on the type. The average expense of adopting a child from a private agency is just under $40,000, while an independent adoption costs about $5,000 less. International adoptions also vary in cost: adopting a South Korean child can be over $43,000, while adopting a child from China costs just over $36,000. Many private adoption agencies include counseling and other types of support for both adoptive parents and birth mothers, which increases their overall cost.

Adopting a waiting child, however, is significantly less. The average cost of a public agency adoption is under $3,000.

3. Prepare for a Home Study

All adoptions require a home study to be completed. During a home study, a social worker comes to your house and evaluates your environment and family dynamics to ensure that it’s appropriate to place a child with you. Many prospective parents dread the home screening — the scrutiny can feel invasive and as though your home and family are under a magnifying glass. Essentially, a home study only needs to answer two questions: are you able to become an adoptive parent, and do you have a safe environment in which to raise the child? Social workers aren’t looking for perfection.

What to Expect During an Adoption Screening

A home screening is generally conducted over the course of multiple meetings, although only one may be in your home. You and anyone else in living in your home will be interviewed, and may need to submit financial and medical records. A criminal background check for everyone in the home will be conducted and you may be required to submit to a medical exam, including a mental health evaluation. You can expect to fill out a great deal of paperwork and discuss your family, educational, and religious background with your social worker.

Home evaluations include fire safety inspections, public health inspections if your home has a septic system, and photographs of all areas of your home. If you have pets, you may be required to submit their veterinarian records to ensure they are vaccinated and well cared for. International and foster care adoptions may have different policies regarding home studies and what information must be submitted.

 

“Matching can take the longest of all the steps in the adoption process, especially if you want to adopt a U.S. newborn. However, public agency adoptions of older children tend to go more quickly.”

#4. Find a Match

Once you complete your home evaluation, you’ll begin looking for matches. Matching your family with a child goes both ways — not only is it important to ensure that you match with a child that meets your desired gender, age, and cultural criteria, but it’s critical to ensure that your family will be able to meet the child’s needs. Matching can take the longest of all the steps in the adoption process, especially if you want to adopt a U.S. newborn. However, public agency adoptions of older children tend to go more quickly.

 

#5. Prepare for Your Child’s Arrival

Next, you’ll need to prepare your home for the arrival of your child. When adopting a child outside the state of New York, you’ll need to obtain approval from the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) before you can bring your child home. If adopting an older child, ask your adoption professional about your child’s likes, dislikes, and any special needs they may have. Purchase seasonally-appropriate clothing in their size, foods they like, toys, games, and other comfort items. If adopting a baby, make sure you have formula, diapers, wipes, baby clothes, and other necessities. Prepare their room and make sure it’s clean with plenty of space for any items they may be bringing with them.

Take time off work when your child arrives and plan to spend plenty of time helping them acclimate to their new environment. You’ll also benefit from having the time to grow accustomed to having a new child in your home. If adopting a newborn, plan to take about as much time off as a birth mother would take for maternity leave. During the first three months after your child is placed, you will be supervised by the agency or another adoption professional before the adoption can be finalized. This waiting period allows you, your child, and the adoption professional to decide if the match is a good fit for everyone.

#6. Petition to Adopt

Once your child has settled in, you’ll need to complete an adoption petition to send to a Long Island family court in the county in which you live. At this time, you may request a name change if you wish, either to your family’s last name or a name of your choosing. If adopting an older child, discuss with them what they might want in regards to name changes. When petitioning to adopt a child, you legally assume full rights and responsibilities of the child’s care, health, and wellbeing. The agency is no longer required to supervise you.

#7. Finalize the Adoption

A judge will review your adoption petition and ensure it was completed in accordance with New York state law. The petition will be approved or denied — if approved, the adoptive parents are awarded permanent legal and physical custody of the child. If denied, you can appeal the decision. Common reasons for denial include a criminal record, incomplete or inaccurate paperwork, or revocation of biological parental consent.

“You cannot finalize an adoption without an attorney, so it would be in your best interest to get one involved as early in the process as possible, especially during the early stages of adoption when you need clear answers on legal questions and guidance on how to prepare for an adoption home study.”

Do You Need an Attorney to Adopt a Child?

You cannot finalize an adoption without an attorney, so it would be in your best interest to get one involved as early in the process as possible, especially during the early stages of adoption when you need clear answers on legal questions and guidance on how to prepare for an adoption home study. Your adoption attorney will: Discuss with you available options for adoption

  • Help you learn about the legal nuances of each type of adoption to help your family decide which is the best fit
  • File paperwork to start, continue, or complete the child placement process
  • Help you understand complex New York adoption laws
  • Appear on your behalf or represent you at adoption proceedings
  • Assist you in locating an adoption agency or setting up an independent adoption
  • Help you communicate with birth parents or foster homes
  • Help you finalize an independent adoption that you have set up
  • Connect you with adoption support and resources

Contact a Long Island Adoption Lawyer Today

If you’re considering adopting a child, don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced Long Island adoption attorney. Instead of trying to put the pieces of the adoption process together yourself, your lawyer will guide you through learning about adoption, preparing your home, matching with a child, and finalizing your adoption. Adopting a child can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it can also be terrifying. Get the help you need to navigate adoption in New York by calling Hornberger & Verbitsky, P.C. We have the experience and skills needed to provide you with comprehensive legal support throughout the adoption process. Call us today for a consultation at 631-923-1910.

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I have known Robert for more than 8 eight years. Robert has represented many of my family and friends. Each and every one has raved about Robert’s professionalism and expertise. He is knowledgable, friendly and truly cares about his clients. I would not hesitate to continue to refer Robert and his firm in the future!
I’ve known Robert for most of my life, and feel very fortunate that I have been able to turn to a good friend for various kinds of legal advice. He is very intelligent, straight forward, and professional. Most importantly though, Robert always finds the fastest resolution, and will not waste your time or money. He is NOT in the habit of dragging things through litigation if there is no need for the added expense. I have referred a few of my friends to Robert, and they have all been more than satisfied in their experience with him. Highly recommend!!
My divorce was very difficult because my ex decided to be very adversarial about it and hired five different lawyers.However, I was fortunate to find Robert.He guided me through the various stages of the process, providing clear direction and informing me of options, impacts, and likely outcomes. He stood up for me and worked hard for a good settlement. Even when my ex and her lawyers wanted to drag things out Robert cut it short and pushed to end the case rather than add to my expenses. He made a painful experience easier. I highly recommend him.
Robert has represented me twice in actions regarding child support and custody (in 2008 & 2011). He did a fantastic job in both instances. He is very professional, organized and detail oriented. He was easily accessible whenever I needed to speak with him and responded to emails quickly (even on weekends). I felt that he was absolutely honest and fair in his billing – not like many attorneys you see out there who charge you every time your name is mentioned in their office! He is a skilled negotiator (especially against a crafty ex-husband), honest, personable and truly cares about his clients and what is in their best interests. I do not hesitate to highly recommend Robert!
I am an attorney, colleague and friend who has known Robert for over 10 years. I have personally been in private practice for over fourteen years in the areas of Bankruptcy and Criminal Law. Robert has been an indispensable asset for myself and my clients. During the past several years, Robert has assisted dozens of my clients in the areas of divorce, divorce mediation and family law. Although Robert has had great success in representing my clients in both contested and uncontested divorce matters, it is my opinion that he is truly invaulable to the areas ofdivorce mediatiion and collaborative divorce. Each and every client has reported to me that Robert is extremely professonial and courteous. He truly takes his time working with each client so that they are both comfortable and well taken care of throughout a very difficult process. I have the utmost respect for Robert and will continue to refer my clients to him without hesitation.
There are a lot of people out there that think they can hire a company, but not pay that company for it’s services. Without legal help, collecting money from these customers can be very difficult, if not impossible. Robert has helped my company collect a large percentage of our unpaid receivables from customers like this. Furthermore, Robert educated us on our rights and helped put safeguards in place to protect us from delinquent customers. There are very few attorney’s who would go above and beyond like Robert did. I would highly recommend him to anybody in need of legal services.
We were looking for a divorce that was as economical and fast as possible. Robert Hornberger gave us exactly what we wanted. He conducted himself professionally at all times. He didn’t waste any time. He made the process easy and skillfully guided us through any disagreements. He saw us in the evening so we didn’t have to miss work. I have never been to court and he was very thorough with his instructions about what to do so all would run smoothly. Everything did go smoothly. I highly recommend Robert as your mediator.
Personalized Attention! Detail Oriented! I highly recommend Robert Hornberger to help with your legal matters. Robert and I have done business together for several years. He is dedicated to his work, and dedicated to helping his clients achieve their goals in most cost effective matter possible. His attention to detail and the fact that he personally handles his clients’ cases makes him stand apart from many of his competitors.
Rob came highly recommended to myself and I am now taking over with my own praise and recommendations. Motivated, caring and detail oriented are just some of the few personality traits that come to mind when I describe Rob. Going through a trying time in your life is not when you need the difficulties that come with an inexperienced, disorganized and uncaring attorney. Rob was none of those. Instead, he was a joy to work and made a difficult time less so through his kind and caring demeanor and attention to detail. His timely response and availability were supurb as well. I would, hands down, recommend Rob to anyone that needed someone to be a shining star through the dreary experience of a divorce!!!
I highly recommend Rob to anyone needing a divorce lawyer. He is very detail oriented. He included and addressed everything that I never would have thought necessary in the stipulation. He is available, tough and able to communicate in the best way to every type of personality. Signed, sealed and delivered in record time, a new life for me with no errors or regrets. The best money I ever spent.
I was referred to Mr. Hornberger from a friend who knew him. He spoke highly of Mr. Hornberger’s reputation as a very successful and professional divorce attorney. I was very hesitant to contact an attorney due to the sensitivity of my situation. From the moment I contacted Mr. Hornberger I knew I was in good hands. He was easy to speak with, paid close attention to all my MANY questions and reassured me that he could handle my divorce case. Since the 1st phone call, I was sure I wanted Mr. Hornberger to represent me in what I knew would be a very difficult divorce. He DID NOT disappoint! When I thought I would lose everything, with Mr. Hornberger fighting for me, I was able to have custody of my children, stay in the family home and receive child support. As far as divorce attorneys go….. Mr. Hornberger is the RIGHT choice!!!!
I’ve been meaning to send this thank you for months. I want you to know that I appreciate all that you did for me. I know that every divorce has its challenges but mine seemed outstanding. You truly are an amazing attorney. You actually call the person back. You care. You helped me get through the worst time in my life. I will recommend you to anyone that needs an attorney that will treat you like a person. Not a dollar figure. Thank you Rob. I have my boys back. It’s because of you. You kept the peace.- Nadine
I would like to express a heartfelt thanks to Christine and staff for their courtesy and professionalism. As divorce is always a difficult thing to go through, I am happy to have had Christine on my side for legal representation. She made a difficult situation less stressful for me. I would recommend her services to anyone who seeks sound legal advice. She was patient, easy to talk to, and follows through until the job gets done!!! Thanks again for all your help. It really made a difference.
Robert and Staff has done an excellent job In helping me to obtain my QDRO from my ex husband. I was very happy to receive this as I did have a hard time with my ex as he really didn’t want to give this to me. Thank you again as I really appreciate all of your help.
I would like to say that Christine and Robert have gone above and beyond what they said they would do for me. My case is not over yet and I have to say that I am extremely satisfied with all of their support and the way they have handled my case. They have kept me informed of everything taking place and always take out the time to respond to my phone calls or emails. Due to the nature of my custody battle, they are always very sensitive to my feelings and look out for my best interest. They have also advised me on what to do in order to not go beyond my budget. They do not treat me as a dollar sign but as a person in desperate need of their professional help.
Christine Verbitsky was an absolute godsend. At arguably the most difficult time in my life, Christine helped me cope with my situation and gave me a solid basis for hope going forward. She got to know me. She understood what I wanted and helped me understand my legal options. Christine is intelligent, incredibly well-versed in the law and was able to pro-actively take the bull by the horns in caring for both my legal and emotional needs. Instead of letting things drag on, Christine stayed on top of my case and kept costs at a minimum. She was always available to me, fast, efficient, knowledgeable, and caring. I highly recommend her professional services.
Could not ask for a better group of people to help during a difficult time. Christine Verbitsky is extremely knowledgeable and always willing to explain any questions. Always quick responses to emails and phone calls. Willing to work with individual needs. Christine is honest and genuinely cares about her clients. Dawn in the office is a godsend and always willing to lend a hand or an ear. So grateful to have found such caring individuals who are amazing at what they do. Highly recommend!
Mr. Hornberger and his Associates have made one of the most miserable experiences of my life more bearable. While they are reassuring, they also tell me what I need to know (even when I don’t want to hear it). They have guided me through the custody/divorce process with diligence and care. They pay close attention to detail and can always be reached. I could not have chosen a better attorney to represent me. I trust their judgment and know that they will always defend my interests with ardor.
Robert Hornberger is an outstanding attorney. He is professional, intelligent and an excellent communicator. He relates well to his clients. He is personable and easy to approach. I feel totally comfortable discussing all aspects of my divorce with him. Mr. Hornberger ‘s response time is impeccable. He gives 100 percent to his clients,100 percent of the time. Mr. Hornberger and his legal team prepare his strategy with a level of skill and expertise that is superior to all others. I feel confident knowing that he is representing me in my divorce. I would without hesitation recommend Robert Hornberger to anyone going through the difficult time of a divorce. He is bar none the best out there….. THE BEST!!!
Beyond happy with the amazing job Robert did with my family court custody matter. He handled everything professionally and with great ease. I went in uneasy about what was going to happen and Robert made me feel so much better and got me everything I wanted and more. I recommend him to everyone and anyone who is looking for a family court and divorce attorney.
Robert is an amazing attorney who makes divorce/separation a whole lot easier to deal with. He was available by phone or email to answer any questions and always got back to me promptly. I really feel that he cares about his clients and was always honest and up front about everything. My main concern throughout everything was my kids. Robert is very knowledgeable about child custody/child support issues. He added things to my agreement that I wasn’t even thinking of and I’m very grateful for that. I would highly recommend him to anyone!!
Mr. Hornberger handled a stressful custody and child support case for my family with the utmost professionalism, compassion and care. His expertise, understanding and preparation of our case helped ease the tension during this most difficult time. The high quality of service we received from Mr. Hornberger and his staff throughout our case was undeniable. Their style of communication is to respond to any inquiries or requests quickly and honestly. If you have a question, you don’t wait for days for a response! We are happy to have found a firm that understands the complexities and sensitive nature associated with these types of cases as well as the complex New York legal system. They offer legal advice in a timely manner and will litigate professionally, when necessary.
We used Rob for a family matter and he was amazing. He responded quickly and in detail and every time I called the office I was welcomed by a warm receptionist. Would highly recommend.
Robert handled my divorce. Did a great job! Thank you so much!- Todd English
Rob first handled my legal separation back in April 2014 and helped me get out of my house with an agreement that worked for myself and future ex. Finally, in early 2018 we started the process of divorce and he has been terrific to work with. He lets you know every step of the way what is going to happen and is very honest with his opinions on certain subjects. Divorce is not easy on the “Man” side of the equation and Rob was instrumental in making sure I landed on my feet. I’m glad he was on my side and I highly recommend him for anyone making sure they get a fair deal.- Mark Kravitz
I have had Rob and his staff represent me on my divorce and my child custody case over the past 10 years. If family is #1 like is for most and you want comfort knowing that he will fight for and get you what you deserve then Robert Hornberger is your attorney. Very detailed orientated and fights for your best interest always. If he represents you, you can sleep well at night knowing he is doing everything possible to win your case and protect your rights as a parent or a Father as I my case.- Philip Iserino
I recently retained Mr. Hornberger’s Office to handle my Divorce. My Divorce has been on-going for over 3 years with not much success. After being extremely frustrated with the process I felt I needed a more experienced, professional, compassionate, go-getting Attorney. Mr. Hornberger and his staff couldn’t be more understanding of my needs, they return my phone calls and they get the job done! I am completely happy with my results and so happy I switched. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!- susan
FAMILY COURT-NEGLECT CASE A year ago life as I knew it forever changed. My husband of more than 2 decades went to CPS and accused me of heinous acts. He then went to the court and filed for an OP [Order of Protection] against me. I was thrust into to Family Court System and I quickly learned that if I did not fight these neglect charges I would also lose my career. I knew the charges against me were false and could not be proven-but NONE of that mattered — what did matter was I was ACCUSED and I had to find legal counsel to fight for me. Robert and Christine took on my case when it was just one neglect charge against me. At my first court appearance I found out that I was also being charged with Munchausen’s by Proxy. I assumed Robert and Christine would drop me as a client — they didn’t — they fought even harder for me. DAY 1 they told me “It’s going to be a long process. Your best case scenario is a dismissal but it’s at least 6-12 months away”. I DID NOT want to hear this. I wanted to STORM the court and make the Judge and CPS realize I was a good person and give me my children back. What actually happened was EXACTLY what I was told by Robert and Christine. 9 months after hiring them to represent me I received a one year ACOD and full custody of my children. Robert and Christine took care of ME. They read my emails and responded quickly. Returned my phone calls and they entertained my endless theories for how to make things move faster. I was a Mom filled with tremendous fear, but Robert and Christine assured me “WE WILL WIN”-“BUT, IT WILL TAKE TIME”. The staff at this firm is amazing. Dawn, Susan, Kellie and Mary took care of me like I was their own family. The first few months I would call crying and in crisis. They listened and assured me I was in good hands with Robert and Christine. I was very lucky to find a team willing to go to battle for me….in the end it’s all about the kids – and I am one blessed Mommy!- Happy Mom
Robert Hornberger is a great lawyer in more ways than one. He knows the law inside and out, he is professional, he is a strong advocate and he tells his clients the truth about what they can expect. I recommend him without hesitation.- Marci Goldfarb
Christine was the second lawyer to work on my divorce and child custody case and I wish we had her from the start. During my initial consultation with Christine, I knew she understood that my son’s well being and stability was everything to me. Instantly, I felt trust with her and knew we were in good hands. Both Robert & Christine are extremely knowledgeable on the law and are very strategic when it comes to complex and unique cases such as mine. (Myself and son live in Florida, this entire case lasted a year and went to trial in New York.). They truly care about their clients and fight for what is important to them. It was nice to have a response within an hour of my emails, my phone calls and never felt like i was left waiting for someone to reply. The advice they gave to me during this year long battle sometimes didn’t seem to make sense to me but looking back, what seemed like huge monumental problems during my trial were only small bumps along the way to our VICTORY! Once you are in the courtroom with these two you realize what you’ve been paying for & every cent is worth it. If your case does go to trial, you don’t want to walk in alone. When you choose an attorney, sometimes you are literally putting your life in their hands. I trusted Christine then, and I would trust her again today. Rest assured that you’re in good hands once you hire this firm. When they say something is going to get done, it does. You would be very fortunate to have them represent you. This firm was a blessing from the moment I walked into the office! I can’t thank you all enough!!- stephanie gavilanes
My visitation case was about a year ago with Ms. Christine Verbitsky. I had the best experience working with Ms. Verbitsky. My child’s father who was absent for 7 years of his 9-year-old’s life wanted visitation. My child is autistic, so things were a little different. Ms. Verbitsky was super professional and caring about the outcome of the case. She was always available and always made me aware of any updates. She gave great advice and I would recommend her if you want an excellent attorney who is knowledgeable as well as understanding and will stand up for you when you need it the most!- Victoria Valdes
I would like to express a heartfelt thanks to Christine and staff for their courtesy and professionalism. As divorce is always a difficult thing to go through, I am happy to have had Christine on my side for legal representation. She made a difficult situation less stressful for me. I would recommend her services to anyone who seeks sound legal advice. She was patient, easy to talk to, and follows through until the job gets done!!! Thanks again for all your help. It really made a difference.- Sharon Banks
I would like to say that Christine and Robert have gone above and beyond what they said they would do for me. My case is not over yet and I have to say that I am extremely satisfied with all of their support and the way they have handled my case. They have kept me informed of everything taking place and always take out the time to respond to my phone calls or emails. Due to the nature of my custody battle, they are always very sensitive to my feelings and look out for my best interest. They have also advised me on what to do in order to not go beyond my budget. They do not treat me as a dollar sign but as a person in desperate need of their professional help.- Ruben Taveras
Robert and his staff have done an excellent job helping me to obtain my QDRO from my ex husband. I was very happy to receive this as I did have a hard time with my ex as he really didn’t want to give this to me. Thank you again as I really appreciate all of your help.- Rose Willis
Christine Verbitsky was an absolute godsend. At arguably the most difficult time in my life, Christine helped me cope with my situation and gave me a solid basis for hope going forward. She got to know me. She understood what I wanted and helped me understand my legal options. Christine is intelligent, incredibly well-versed in the law and was able to pro-actively take the bull by the horns in caring for both my legal and emotional needs. Instead of letting things drag on, Christine stayed on top of my case and kept costs at a minimum. She was always available to me, fast, efficient, knowledgeable, and caring. I highly recommend her professional services.- Libby Tolson
Could not ask for a better group of people to help during a difficult time. Christine Verbitsky is extremely knowledgeable and always willing to explain any questions. Always quick responses to emails and phone calls. Willing to work with individual needs. Christine is honest and genuinely cares about her clients. Dawn in the office is a godsend and always willing to lend a hand or an ear. So grateful to have found such caring individuals who are amazing at what they do. Highly recommend!- Lynsay Halikias
Mr. Hornberger and his Associates have made one of the most miserable experiences of my life more bearable. While they are reassuring, they also tell me what I need to know (even when I don’t want to hear it). They have guided me through the custody/divorce process with diligence and care. They pay close attention to detail and can always be reached. I could not have chosen a better attorney to represent me. I trust their judgment and know that they will always defend my interests with ardor.- Carli Saftchick
I was referred to Rob Hornberger by another attorney. From my initial fee consultation, Mr. Hornberger was insightful, empathetic and explained to me what I should expect regarding my divorce. After a couple days, I retained Rob and basically things went as he described, in fact it took a little less time then originally suggested! Thank you… He later handled a child support matter and a stipulation adjustment that my ex-wife requested. My experience with Rob has been great, he calls back pretty fast and tells you honestly what to expect. I would recommend Rob Hornberger to anyone I know that is going through this terrible thing we call divorce, he made it less scary…- Todd English
Robert Hornberger is an outstanding attorney. He is professional, intelligent and an excellent communicator. He relates well to his clients. He is personable and easy to approach. I feel totally comfortable discussing all aspects of my divorce with him. Mr. Hornberger ‘s response time is impeccable. He gives 100 percent to his clients, 100 percent of the time. Mr. Hornberger and his legal team prepare his strategy with a level of skill and expertise that is superior to all others. I feel confident knowing that he is representing me in my divorce. I would without hesitation recommend Robert Hornberger to anyone going through the difficult time of a divorce. He is bar none the best out there….. THE BEST!!!- Susan Burnett
Beyond happy with the amazing job Robert did with my family court custody matter. He handled everything professionally and with great ease. Went in uneasy about what was going to happen and Robert made me feel so much better and got me everything I wanted and more. I recommend him to everyone and anyone who is looking for a family court and divorce attorney. Would highly recommend him.- Paige Kouba
Robert was very professional, fair and accommodating. Highly recommended for mediation.- Danielle Dekenipp
Thankfully, I was referred to Robert Hornberger from a friend. I had no idea where to turn at this point in my life, but knew that I needed legal advice. From the moment his assistant Mary answered the phone I was put at ease, and knew I had found the right place. My first meeting with Robert just assured me even more. With everything being so overwhelming and complicated, he was always extremely patient and took the time to explain. Most importantly, he is very fair. He has always done everything in his power to work things out quickly and not drag issues through court. One of the most comforting things is that he was always very quick to return calls and settle issues, even if it was late in the day he always returned e-mails or phone calls to put me at ease. I honestly don’t know what I would have done or where I would have wound up if it was not for Robert and his team. I would DEFINITELY, without hesitation, recommend him to anyone!!- carol ferryman
Mr. Hornberger handled a very stressful custody and child support case for my family with the utmost professionalism, compassion and care. His expertise, understanding and preparation of our case helped ease the tension during this most difficult time. The high quality of service we received from Mr. Hornberger and his staff throughout our case was undeniable. Their style of communication is to respond to any inquiries or requests quickly and honestly. If you have a question, you don’t wait for days for a response! We are happy to have found a firm that understands the complexities and sensitive nature associated with these types of cases as well as the complex New York legal system. They offer legal advice in a timely manner and will litigate professionally, when necessary.- Dawn V.
If you want a lawyer that you know will go to all lengths to make sure you’re protected and get what you deserve then look no further than Robert as your attorney. With a wealth of experience and knowledge coupled with the bulldog mentality fighting for your rights then ask for a consultation and you won’t regret it. He has represented me in a few family matters over 10 years and always felt I can sleep at night.- Philip
I first went to consult with Robert for a divorce proceeding, but we ended up retaining him together as our mediator. I was really impressed with how he explained everything to me and told me what my options were. He told us when we were being unreasonable or asking for something outside of the scope of what we were entitled to. His staff was always as helpful and friendly as they could possibly be. I loved the fact that I was always dealing with him. A few of my friends told me that they rarely dealt with the lawyer they hired, instead they spoke with everyone else but them. If and when I needed to speak with him he always responded asap. Robert was very knowledgeable of all aspects within the law. Answering our questions instantly regarding the children, our assets, anything we needed to know. Making the decision to get divorced was not easy for me, all the unknowns and what-ifs, it was very stressful and scary. Robert and his staff made it easier and were very comforting. I was recommended to consult with him and now I’m recommending him to everyone. I couldn’t have been happier with my experience.- Alisa
I find Mr. Hornberger and his staff to be very knowledgeable and professional. In particular, Christine Verbitsky, Esq., is an extremely bright associate who practices like a seasoned pro. I would continue to refer matters to them.
Robert really helped me out with a cross state divorce. We spoke when it was needed, email response was awesome and his staff always followed up when he couldn’t. There was a lot of back and forth for nitpicky issues and he (or Christine) always got back to me with a positive answer. He was very sympathetic when my ex was pushing me. I recommend Robert for everything.- Michelle
I am an attorney, colleague and friend who has known Robert for over 10 years. I have personally been in private practice for over fourteen years in the areas of Bankruptcy and Criminal Law. Robert has been an indispensable asset for myself and my clients. During the past several years, Robert has assisted dozens of my clients in the areas of divorce, divorce mediation and family law. Although Robert has had great success in representing my clients in both contested and uncontested divorce matters, it is my opinion that he is truly invaluable to the areas of divorce mediation and collaborative divorce. Each and every client has reported to me that Robert is extremely professional and courteous. He truly takes his time working with each client so that they are both comfortable and well taken care of throughout a very difficult process. I have the utmost respect for Robert and will continue to refer my clients to him without hesitation
We just wanted to take a moment to thank you and let you know how grateful we are to have had the opportunity to meet with you. After leaving the consultation, we have felt the most hopeful than we ever have throughout this whole ordeal. You have helped us restore our faith in the whole situation and we look forward to working with you.- Nicole
Thank you for not only the great outcome but for all of your support and hard work to get me there. I appreciate how dependable you were and how you always responded to my messages. I am grateful I found you to represent me.
THE Attorney you can trust when it comes to divorce
I was referred to Robert by a trusted attorney and family friend. After a tenuous and lengthy divorce, I needed an attorney that was aggressive in the court room, but that understands the delicacy of the custody battle that is currently underway. I have finally met a competent attorney that I know I can trust wholeheartedly. Hands down, I wish I had met him right off the bat.- Heather
Rob is outstanding. He is like having the big brother every woman needs! You will not be disappointed.- Clare E.
Rob has helped me to become the happiest I have ever been in my life. He has helped me to be free from an abusive and neglectful individual. Rob made the process as easy for me as possible. He is attentive, and detail-oriented, covering ground in the stipulation that I never would have considered necessary, and now I am very grateful for. Rob is the big brother every one needs. He is an extraordinary lawyer, and a great guy.
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