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New York Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: PR, what happens when a beneficiary included in a Will is deceased but has a surviving spouse and children?

My grandparents passed away and left a Will where all grandchildren are beneficiaries. My grandparents' children are deceased. The house is up for sale. There are six grandchildren, of which one is deceased, but has a living spouse and two children. We are unable to locate them to inform... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Sep 9, 2023

Distribution of assets down the lineage to classes of beneficiaries depends upon the specific wording of the Will, which must be reviewed, as a determination of whether the testator's intent was that the estate assets were to pass down the lineage by per stirpes or per capita must be made.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Immigration Law for New York on
Q: How can I find out if I'm still the sponsor to my ex-wife (2-year-green-card recipient) that I've reported to USCIS?

I recently submitted a report with links to substantial evidence (PDFs of the full report, screenshots of phone messages to them and to me, all clearly dated and cross referenced; via my Google Drive) detailing my ex wife's infidelity throughout our dating, engagement, and marriage, with... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 9, 2023

Submitting a report to USCIS with evidence of fraud does not automatically revoke your status as a sponsor. USCIS will investigate the matter, which could potentially be a prolonged process. To know the status of your obligations as a sponsor, you will likely need to proactively follow up with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Filed a petition for custody of my grandson. What are my chances?

My daughter in law was incarcerated out of state. My son went to retrieve her and my grandsons aunt filed for emergency temporary custody. Son and DIL have joint custody. It was a toxic relationship for 5 years. Mother again was incarcerated in NY. Sole custody was granted 2 months ago. I just... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Sep 9, 2023

Critical missing information concerns which state granted the joint custody, and did it still have jurisdiction when a court, if different, granted the aunt temporary custody. That court subsequently granted sole custody to the aunt according to you. You then filed for custody after that. Your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Family Law for New York on
Q: Who owns the cat after the break up

My ex and I adopted a cat together and cared for it together for years. We broke up and did split custody for a while, now she wants to stop sharing and is claiming the cat is legally hers and will report her stolen if I dont return her by the arranged date. The adoption papers and microchip are in... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Sep 9, 2023

Simplifying your situation, the court will look at the indicia of ownership concerning the cat, which appears to favor your former girlfriend. If she wants to file a theft charge against you for not returning the cat, a police officer might do that. An alternative is for you to seek a replevin... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: What would be good evidence / exhibits to use in a child support trial?

Filed a petition for an upward modification of child support. Respondent tried to have the petition dismissed and was denied. Magistrate says child support order is eligible for upward modification. Even though my petition has been granted, still having a trial and need to provide evidence and... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 7, 2023

The answer here is not as simple as providing a listing of good-to-have documents. We here do not know the nature of either party's employment (self or otherwise) and therefore have no idea what documents are necessary to prove a child support case for this asker.

What we can say...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New York on
Q: When do you get an order after trial and decision in family court

Relocation trial ended in April 2023. Decision from Bench June 2023. Order to stay until school started which is in 2 days. No order provided yet. Do they serve it or do I have to pick it up?

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
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answered on Sep 7, 2023

We here are not clerks of court and cannot render opinions as to how to obtain court orders.

We here are also well aware of the enormous difficulty government has in keeping straight records in a court environment. Corners may have been cut. It may very well be that the judge's order...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New York on
Q: Is repeatedly yelling at a child and alienating them from their family considered emotional abuse or neglect?

We have 50/50 custody of our daughter, and every other week she spends at her mother's. Each week when she comes home it takes days to re-regulate her behavior and mood before she opens up about events and situations that happened the past week at her mom's. Often time this includes a... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Sep 4, 2023

If your facts are correct, in NYS a petition in family court may be in order. The prior legal guardian, or if none, a request for a legal guardian would be made, and that guardian represents the child independently of the parents and makes a determination and advocates to the judge what should be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New York on
Q: I have been living with a guy and had a baby but unfortunately two weeks ago he passed away.

Now his ex wife has sent me an OTSC am not sure why but it says something about a letter that my boyfriend had signed but not notarized and I believe it's for her inheritance from his job why would they think that I have anything to do with that I don't have a power or attorney for him or... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Sep 4, 2023

I surmise that the infant may be a possible beneficiary by designation or inheritance to part of the pension benefits to be paid out, and the former spouse seeks the same benefit. An attorney should be consulted to review the OTSC and the related documents. Don't delay, or you may default.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Mother is suppose to initiate call with father we have TOP . Father is making the calls . What should I do.

Waited for my public defender to answer but he is not reachable

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 22, 2023

In New York, when there's a court order dictating communication arrangements between parents and one parent is not following the specified terms, it's crucial to take appropriate steps. Begin by documenting instances where the father is initiating calls instead of the mother as outlined... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for New York on
Q: Can my ex husband move out of state with kids again ?

My ex-husband and I divorced, and we have joint custody. I signed paperwork to have my son move with him to Utah two years ago for a better life I kept custody of my daughter, who lives with me. Now my ex-husband is trying to move my son to another state (texas ) I don’t agree with this. Since... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Aug 22, 2023

How old is your son? If he is over 18 the courts have no jurisdiction and you can not legally stop your ex from moving with him.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for New York on
Q: What happens when a person receiving child support owes the person paying that support a significant amount of money?

My ex asked me for a loan of $5000. She said she would repay it by not taking my child support money until it is repayed... I pay for all of my children's needs anyway so they wouldn't really be harmed, I'm just wondering what the law says about the case where the person receiving... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Aug 16, 2023

Child Support is separate from other debts and it is not simply offset. She would need to waive her right to support. If this is collected by Child Support Enforcement Unit they will not credit you and you will still owe the money. Talk to a lawyer.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for New York on
Q: My ex wants to change my child's last name to her own.I dont consent. What is chance of a judge granting the change?
Sandra M. Colatosti
Sandra M. Colatosti
answered on Aug 15, 2023

She must obtain your consent unless she can show that you abandoned the child.

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1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Contracts and Family Law for New York on
Q: Regarding life insurance?

My dad had signed up for a term life insurance policy for $7000 until he reaches 90 years old, or when he dies. At the time when the insurance company called him to sign up he spoke very little English, that term was set to fully paid in 2013. But he kept paying the policy every month, he passed... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 13, 2023

I'm very sorry for the loss of your dad. One option is to try to arrange a brief consult with an attorney - it would be helpful to know the basis of the carrier's denial of a refund. It could be a matter of weighing the costs of litigating the potential refund against chances for a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Immigration Law and Domestic Violence for New York on
Q: The abuse waiver is specifically for abuse taking place while living together, and before filing divorce, right?

Gathered screenshots of my conditional-2-year-green-card-recipient-wife cheating during entirety of our dating/marriage, and about to send to USCIS to show it's not bonafide, just got the final decree.

After we filed and I threw her out of my place, texted her harsh text messages,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 3, 2023

The abuse waiver for the I-751 petition to remove conditions on residence is generally intended for victims of abuse that occurred during the marriage. Evidence of cheating may be relevant to the bona fides of the marriage but is not directly related to an abuse waiver. Be aware that stalking or... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law, Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: Health insurance policy states legal separation as a qualifying event for removal of spouse; can NY law override that?

Can NY law override a BCBS national insurance policy? Their policy states: Loss of eligibility as a result of:

Legal separation, divorce, or dissolution of a Civil Union.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 8, 2023

Law generally controls - health insurance policies tend to be compliant. They are usually carefully underwritten and the industry is governed by strict laws. Good luck

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: In divorce, if one party chooses not to have a lawyer, is the pursuant (with representation) responsible for their fees?
Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Aug 8, 2023

Whether you have a lawyer or not, this is a sep[arate issue from responsibility for legal fees. The law allows the "non-monied" spouse to request legal fees from the monied spouse. A Judge would have to determine this, and the amount.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law and Sexual Harassment for New York on
Q: I want to know if I can reopen a case that was closed approximately during the year of 2018 or I would be able to sue.

I got sexually assaulted (molested and raped) by my biological father as a young child, and reported it to my school that I was attending to, at the time. It had opened a family court case and ACS case but, my mother and sister was speaking down on me stating that I’m breaking our family apart... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Sep 2, 2023

You don't specify your age, but you may have the ability to file a civil suit against your father (and possibly your mother as a conspirator), but it will be a factual determination at trial why you lied. Consult a personal injury attorney to review details an applicable statues.

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: in the process of a divorce in Nassau . My wife and I both own the familial home. She accused me of Unlawful Eviction

we are in divorce process. she lives with my sister and i live in family home. we both own it. we were both arrested as she accused me of blocking access to home, and she was arrested for criminal mischief and destruction of property after sawing the locks. There was no violence. We were both... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Aug 5, 2023

You should be hiring an attorney because the prosecutotial might of the Stste of New York is coming after you for whatever crimes you face. You were arraigned. Weren't you informed of the right to hire counsel?

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for New York on
Q: My sister suffered cardiac arrest 7 years ago and had been in a vegetative state. I wanted to be the guardian.....

but the skilled nursing home said I could not because I lived out of state. So, unfortunately, she became a ward of the state. She has since passed away and the guardian did not inform me nor my sister. The nursing home called me to let me know. My sister called the guardian and he said he would... View More

Jacqueline A. Cara
Jacqueline A. Cara
answered on Aug 14, 2023

First, I am so sorry for your loss. If you are not hearing from the guardian, put your requests in writing and write a letter to the court about your inability to contact the guardian about your sister's ashes. If you have access to the original court order appointing the guardian, you will... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: Wife owned 3 properties before marrying husband. Once married - husband paid taxes repaired upgraded properties

Now divorcing - is husband entitled to a portion of their current value (commingled funds)

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 4, 2023

In New York, property acquired before marriage is generally considered separate property and is not subject to equitable distribution in divorce. However, the situation can become more complex if separate property becomes commingled with marital property during the marriage.

Commingling...
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