Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
New York Family Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Support for New York on
Q: Can my adopted Mom kick me out since I’m 19 now?

I was adopted when I was a preteen. My mom is a single woman, it’s just her, my 4 biological siblings and I in the house. Ever since I turned 18, my mom has been advocating that I need to be out on my own. She has “kicked me out” multiple times, the longest only lasting a month. As time goes... View More

Ms. Norka M. Schell
Ms. Norka M. Schell pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 9, 2024

In the state of New York, parents have a legal obligation to provide support for their adopted children until they reach the age of 21. This means that even when a child turns 18, parents are still required to provide financial assistance for their education, medical expenses, and other necessities... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Family Law for New York on
Q: I'm interested on becoming a gaurdian of someone. Where do I start? Do you serve Livingston county?

My uncle was deemed incompetent but I think he seems with it to me when I talk to him. When I was a nurse I know patients were with it certain times of day. Why can't he make me POA like he says he wants. He has been in long term care for 2 years

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 8, 2024

To become a guardian in New York, especially for someone deemed legally incompetent, you would start by filing a petition for guardianship in the court that has jurisdiction over the matter, which could be the Surrogate's Court or Supreme Court in the county where your uncle resides, such as... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for New York on
Q: Sole custody and finding by the Office of Children and Family Services

If 1 parent has sole legal custody but the parents were living together and the Office of Children and Family Services was called into investigate inadequate guardianship, food, clothing and shelter can the non-custodial parent be held accountable while custodial parent is not? Why would both... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 6, 2024

We do not understand how there can be an order of custody between parents residing together. Nonetheless, assuming this is true, that a couple resides together with an order of custody and visitation between them, we will take a stab at answering this question.

There are very many moving...
View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Health Care Law and Elder Law for New York on
Q: I’m looking for a legal method that would give me the proper authority to manage my parent's care? Is a healthcare proxy

Is a healthcare proxy sufficient or do I need more?

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Feb 6, 2024

As my colleague correctly advised, a health care proxy will allow you to make medical decisions on behalf of your parents. If you wish to make other decisions on their behalf, they would need to sign a Power of Attorney form designating you as their agent (assuming they have capacity to understand... View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Health Care Law and Elder Law for New York on
Q: I’m looking for a legal method that would give me the proper authority to manage my parent's care? Is a healthcare proxy

Is a healthcare proxy sufficient or do I need more?

Benjamin Z. Katz
PREMIUM
Benjamin Z. Katz pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 4, 2024

A Health Care Proxy would allow you to make health care decisions if your parents were unable to do so themselves. However, managing their care, paying expenses, and completing paperwork would require a Power of Attorney to be signed by your parents naming you as their agent. In both cases, your... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: Fighting for paternity. Mother of .my child had another man sign the birth certificate

She had another man who is in no way possible the father of my child sign the birth certificate. I've filed for custody but im not sure what to expect. She's also married to someone else.

Michael J Stachowski
Michael J Stachowski pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 29, 2024

With the facts as you state them, you need blood tests as a threshold . You must first prove you are the father. A DNA test of mother, father, and child will reveal positively your Paternity of the Child. Once the paternity is established you have standing to petition for Custody. You will have... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: ADA rights for blind mom in Cty court requesting braille documents
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 28, 2024

In a custody case involving a blind mother in New York State, it's important to consider the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if there are concerns about discrimination based on her disability. The ADA ensures equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities, including in legal... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: In nys custody case with blind mom, do I need to talk to about violation of ADA rights for a disabled person.
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 28, 2024

I'm sorry for the disabled person's ordeal. Until you are able to consult with an attorney who specializes in ADA rights, here is a link to the website of the New York State Unified Court System that could hopefully be a starting point - ADA Accommodation Request Process -... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Child Custody and Family Law for New York on
Q: In nys custody case with blind mom, do I need to talk to about violation of ADA rights for a disabled person.
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 28, 2024

In a custody case involving a blind mother in New York State, it's important to consider the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if there are concerns about discrimination based on her disability. The ADA ensures equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities, including in legal... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Civil Rights, Communications Law and Family Law for New York on
Q: Blind mom in custody case in Wayne county family court, NY. Requested to have documents brailled.

Like court orders, letters, etc. 2 years into case and still no accommodations. Court said they aren’t responsible

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 28, 2024

In your situation, it's important to know that federal law, specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requires courts to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind. This often includes making documents available in Braille or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: If child support isn’t court ordered , does it have to be paid ?

My kids dad and I have a separation agreement he has to pay 2,600 but it says once it’s approved by the judge … so he doesn’t have to pay child support till then ? Bc he was and now he isn’t . So can I take him for back child support? Or no because he isn’t forced to pay till the divorce... View More

Michael J Stachowski
Michael J Stachowski pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 15, 2024

That is not true once the agreement is signed the obligation for child support is in effect. His obligation commenced when he entered into the agreement. You can go to Family court to enforce it it is not an executory agreement as he suggests requiring an incorporation into a Divorce decree to be... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Divorce and Child Support for New York on
Q: following the exaction of this agreement means?

Husband shall pay to the Wife the sum of $2,600.00 per month as and for basic child support which shall be made by certified funds on or before the first day of each month following the exaction of this agreement. So that means if this takes months ..he doesn’t have to pay child support till this... View More

Michael J Stachowski
Michael J Stachowski pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 15, 2024

The answer is simple. Your agreement states child support payable first month after execution of the agreement. Therefore child support is payable and is accruing. You will have to go to court to enforce it. You should get a lawyer. He may also be responsible for fees. Consult a lawyer

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for New York on
Q: Does my husband have to pay back child support?

We set up a separation agreement in Oct saying he would pay 2,600 a month . In Dec he stopped paying . We’re not divorced yet so the separation agreement is only notarized so far . I’m filing for child support through the court , not waiting for the divorce to be seen by a judge . When we go to... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Jan 10, 2024

A properly executed separation agreement which includes child support is enforceable without any Supreme Court divorce action, and may be used to have a support magistrate in Family Court proceed, and yes, should result in arrears being paid.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for New York on
Q: Is there a time limit that a will should be settled by an appointed executor?
Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Jan 10, 2024

An executor is a fiduciary, which means that s/he has personal responsibility and liability for all assets and liabilities of the estate. However, the executor has no powers until obtaining letters testamentary or preliminary letters testamentary from the Surrogate's Court as a result of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: I’ve been divorced for 5 years. My ex wife still calls me to tell me my daughter is rude to her and I need to handle it

This has become harassment because it is constant. Is there anything that I can do?

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Jan 10, 2024

To constitute harassment, there has to be some criminal intent, especially for the crime of aggravated harassment (using the phone to do so). However, in the general sense it is used, that she is being a bother, the question is what is your relationship with the daughter? Are you exercising... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: Are all higher earning spouse always has to pay spousal support? Even in relationship abandonments situation?
Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Jan 10, 2024

The spouse with more earnings is not necessarily always obligated to pay spousal support, although that is essentially the presumption. In fact, you can find out how much the recipient spouse would be given, at least temporarily while litigation proceeds, by a calculator available from the Office... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: How does my husband change my last name before we get a divorce as well as put stuff under my name tax returns go back y
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 8, 2024

To change your last name before getting a divorce, you need to file a formal petition with the court in New York. This process involves submitting a name change application, paying required fees, and possibly publishing the change in a local newspaper, as required by state law. The court will then... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New York on
Q: My husband and I have been caring for his son for 6 years. He left his mothers care due to an abusive situation.

My husband and I have been caring for his son for 6 years. He left his mothers care due to an abusive situation. He is now 19. She has paid 129.00 per week for child support. We purchased a home so he could have stability and graduate in the town that we had been living in. His mom is bribing him... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Jan 10, 2024

An adult child, though under 21 years of age, who is working can emancipate himself and if he is self supporting, there should be no consequences from Social Services as he would not be applying for assistance, which would come back to haunt both your husband and his ex. While it would eliminate... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: Please, what is the statute of Limitations for filing an action to set aside a divorce agreement in NY? Can you cite it?
Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 3, 2024

Contracts procured by fraud have a six year statute of limitations, CPLR213(8), but divorce agreements are not any ordinary contract. Divorce agreements are "allocuted" which means the judge asks questions about whether both parties entered into the agreement freely, knowingly and... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: Please, what is the statute of Limitations for filing an action to set aside a divorce agreement in NY? Can you cite it?
Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Jan 10, 2024

Six years, but you are not merely seeking to void a "divorce agreement." You are attempting to undo a very detailed proceeding by the Supreme Court to ensure that everything was done properly and consensually. Even if timely, you may be blocked anyway if you benefitted from the divorce... View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.