The Elliot Schlissel New York Law Blog

When Is The Right Time to Retire?

It’s hard to say when it’s right time to retire; however, it is easy to say it is the wrong time to retire. You shouldn’t retire unless you have sufficient funds to carry you through your golden years. In the past, most people retired in their sixties. With declining savings and living costs going up, many Americans will have to wait till they’re in their seventies.

Retirement Suggestions

Instead of quitting your job, you may be able to negotiate reducing your working days or working hours. This will allow you to live without drawing on your savings. Downscale your life style. If you want to retire, you need to try to live more modestly. If your home is large, you can sell it and buy a smaller home or rent an apartment. You can move from an expensive state, such as those located in the Northeast, to cheaper, less expensive states in the South and Southwest.

You need to prioritize your needs. Instead of eating out once or twice a week, it is much less expensive to cook your meals and eat at home.

Forced Retirement

Losing your job or being downsized may force you into retirement. Employers may no longer want experienced employees in their fifties and sixties. This tends to raise the cost of their group health care and other group benefit packages. What do you do if you’re downsized and no one wants to hire you?You need to see a job counselor. You need to train yourself to work in another industry. Unfortunately, you also need to downsize your expectations as to what you’ll be earning.

Wills, Trusts and Estates Lawyers

The law office of Elliot Schlissel has been assisting senior Americans regarding wills and trusts issues for more than thirty years. We draft wills and trusts. We probate wills. We litigate will contests. We draft special needs trusts for special needs children.

Elliot S. Schlissel is a member of The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He handles elder care planning related to Medicare, Medicaid and nursing home issues. Call us for a free consultation.

Have you received a speeding ticket recently? Do you have moving violations and  points against your license? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, you may  be paying as much as $1,400 a year more for your car insurance!

Speeding Tickets Cause Car Insurance to Skyrocket

Insurance companies do not like speeders! One speeding ticket can cost you as much as $1,400 a year in increased premiums on your car insurance. Should you have more than one speeding ticket on your license, it can cost you as much as $1,700 a year in additional premiums on your car insurance.

Speeders and Drunk Drivers Considered Bad Risks

Insurance companies are in the business of making money. The insurance companies would rather not insure men and women who receive driving while intoxicated, summonses, speeding tickets or reckless driving tickets. Insurance companies consider these drivers bad risks.

Chris Kissell, the managing editor at Insurance.com, in a recent press release stated “the lesson is simple, drivers who speed, drink and drive or engage in other bad driving behaviors will pay through the nose if they want to keep their car insurance. The best way to save money on car insurance is to drive responsibly at all times.”

Reducing Insurance Rates

The most effective means to keep your insurance low is to avoid receiving traffic tickets. If you receive traffic tickets, retain a qualified traffic ticket defense lawyer to represent you. The legal fees you pay will be very small compared to the increase in your car insurance over the next three to five years.

Should you be convicted of traffic infractions, the second best route is to enroll in a driver safety program. In New York State, these programs can eliminate 4 points from your driver’s license.

Traffic Ticket Attorneys

If you receive a traffic ticket in the Metropolitan New York area, the law office of Elliot Schlissel can defend you regarding these matters. One of our attorneys is a former administrative law judge who dealt with traffic summons.

We also represent individuals charged with driving while intoxicated, assault, battery, domestic violence, computer crimes, sex crimes, burglary and all other misdemeanors and felonies. Feel free to call for a free consultation.

Mrs. McCloud was released from jail three months early to have a heart transplant. She ignored the advise of her doctors to stop smoking. She now either has to stop smoking, pursuant to the order of Judge Francis D. Ricigliano, or go back to jail!

Nassau County District Judge Francis D. Ricigliano told Diane McCloud that she must stop smoking. She also must submit to drug testing and she must comply with her doctor’s requests.Ms. McCloud had been jailed after being convicted of taking $4,000 in merchandise from a Target store located in Westbury, New York. While she was incarcerated, her health went down hill. Her doctors determined she had less than six months to live. Justice Ricigliano felt sorry for Ms. McCloud and released her from jail, under the condition that she take all necessary steps suggested by her physicians to obtain a heart transplant.

Ms. McCloud’s physician, Janjay Doddamani, the chairman of the cardiology department in Nassau County University Medical Center, contacted Judge Ricigliano. He advised the Judge and the District Attorney’s office that Ms. McCloud had not been cooperating with him.

Ms. McCloud was brought back before the court. Judge Ricigliano made it clear that, unless she complied with her doctor’s requests to stop smoking, he would send her back to jail and she would not have the opportunity to receive a heart transplant. Hopefully she is complying to the Judge’s order.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

The law office of Elliot Schlissel represents individuals charged with crimes or who are being investigated for crimes. We are experienced in representing individuals charged with computer and internet crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, sex crimes, weapons possession, driving while intoxicated (DWI), shoplifting, burglary, juvenile offenses, assault and battery, domestic violence, drug offenses and all other types of misdemeanors and felonies. Feel free to contact us for a free consultation.

Justice MacKenzi, sitting in the Supreme Court in Suffolk County, awarded a father permanent sole and legal custody of his two daughters. There had previously been a temporary custody order in this case.

There were allegations that the mother had engaged in parental alienation of the parties four children against the father. The evidence showed that the mother had consistently attempted to destroy the children’s relationship with their father. This included portraying the father has a “dead beat dad.” The mother also tried to convince the children that the father was an abusive individual.

Mother Lies At Trial

At the time of the trial, the father testified and the court found him to be a credible witness. The mother’s testimony was another story. The court found her testimony was full of lies, half truths and distortions of what had happened.

The father had temporary custody of the parties’ daughters for a period of two years prior to the trial. During this period of time, his relationship with his daughters flourished. The court, in its findings, held that the father did not interfere with the mother’s relationship with her children. The court also rendered a decision stating that the mother’s interference with the father’s relationship with his daughters was to such an extent that she would be unfit to be a custodial parent.

The court awarded the father permanent and sole and physical custody of his daughters. The mother was given expanded visitation rights.

Nassau and Suffolk County Fathers’ Rights Lawyers

We represent fathers! We have been doing this for more than thirty years. We litigate all aspects of divorce, including child custody, visitation, child support, spousal maintenance (alimony) and equitable distribution of property. We also represent fathers with regard to proceedings in family court. We litigate issues involving paternity, downward modifications of child support, relocation problems, parental alienation cases and issues involving parental alienation syndrome. We also negotiate separation agreements for our clients. Feel free to call us for a free consultation.

A pedestrian was struck by a car. The driver of the car was uninsured at the time of the accident. The pedestrian was taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment. He also, at a later date, received treatment for pain from the injuries.  The pedestrian did not miss any time at work. He incurred no medical expenses since all the expenses were paid for by the defendant, the Motor Vehicle Accident Corporation.

Lawsuit For Pain & Suffering

Car Accident Lawyer

Chauncey Dillon is currently in prison serving 30 years to life. He was convicted of the fatal shooting of Erick Mangrum. He also was convicted of wounding Mr. Mangrum’s friend, rapper Freaky Zeeky. The shooting took place at the time of a traffic accident and attempted robbery in Manhattan in 2002.

Dillon claims the trial was unfair. He brought a proceeding in the Southern District of New York, a Federal Court. The matter was heard before Magistrate Judge Douglas Eaton. A Habeas Corpus proceeding by Mr. Dillon’s attorney, Roger M. Langone, was filed. Unfortunately, it was filed one day after the one year statute of limitations had expired. The petition was therefore dismissed.

The Late Habeas Corpus Petition Was Appealed

The attorney for Dillon brought an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Attorney Langone advised the court he made a mistake. He had made an error and put an incorrect date in his calendar relating to the last date to file the Habeas Corpus proceeding. The Appeals Court extended the time to file the Habeas Corpus proceeding because counsel for Mr. Dillon had made a showing of extraordinary circumstances.

The incident involved a minor traffic accident that took place in April of 2003. Dillon and two friends tried to steal a medallion from the neck of rapper Freaky Zeeky. Freaky Zeeky was a member of the “diplomat rap group”. This resulted in a fight and a shooting.

Dillon’s appeal claimed that inadmissible hearsay evidence was admitted by the court at the time of the trial. The Appeals Court ordered a review of the conviction in light of the allegations of unfairness that were brought by counsel for Mr. Dillon.

Criminal Lawyers

The law office of Elliot Schlissel provides criminal defense for individuals accused or charged with crimes. We defend individuals charged with domestic violence, drug offenses, assault and battery, juvenile defenses, shoplifting, burglary, driving while intoxicated, weapons possession, sex crimes, white collar crimes and all types of violent crimes. In addition, we also represent individuals under investigation or charged with computer and internet related crimes. Feel free to call for a free consultation.

In a recent case before Judge Sciarrino, sitting in the Criminal Court in Queens County, the judge found that the possession of cocaine can amount to endangering the welfare of a child. In the case before Judge Sorentino, the prosecutors filed an accusatory instrument claiming that cocaine was recovered from the defendant’s apartment. At the time the police made the arrest, there was a small child residing with the defendant. The cocaine was unsecured and was just lying around in the apartment. The defendant claimed that the cocaine was on top of the refrigerator and therefore it was beyond the reach of the child. Judge Sciarrino was concerned. If the cocaine was left lying around, the child could assume that this illegal substance was a common household item. He felt this would create and set a terrible example for the child. The court ruled that since there were factual allegations set forth by the prosecutors in their accusatory instrument, they had sufficiently laid out pleadings for endangering the welfare of a child and that the case would not be dismissed.

Family Issues and Criminal Matters

The law office of Elliot Schlissel represents individuals charged with drug offenses and all types of misdemeanors and felonies. We also litigate orders of protection and issues involving child abuse and child neglect. Feel free to call us for a free consultation.

Acting Supreme Court Justice Neary, sitting in Westchester County, found that a one week on, one week off joint custody arrangement between a father and mother was unworkable. He also found that this arrangement was disruptive to the children’s lives.

Justice Neary ordered a hearing to determine who should receive custody of the  children. In his decision, Justice Neary found that the father “methodically demonstrated” that the mother engaged in parental alienation of the children. A forensic expert confirmed that the mother had been involved in parental alienation syndrome activities.

Mother’s Testimony Unbelievable

The court found that the mother had significant credibility problems with regard to her testimony. The court’s decision stated that the father had met his burden of establishing an unforeseen change in circumstances which called for a modification of the custody arrangements.

Joint Custody Continued By the Court

The court found that joint custody was still the best way to handle this case. The court modified the custody so the parties would share children on a two week on, two week off basis. Judge Neary’s decision was based upon the fact that it was in the best interest of the children to have longer periods of time with each parent, thereby causing less disruption in their lives.

Conclusion

In this case, the mother’s bad behavior had very little impact on her overall relationship with the children and custody.

Long Island Divorce Lawyer

Issues involving divorce are difficult. The law office of Elliot Schlissel has been delicately and aggressively dealing with divorce-related issues for more than thirty years. Our law office litigates all aspects of divorce matters including, divorce grounds, child custody, child visitation, child abuse, child neglect, and the division of assets (especially in high net worth cases and cases involving doctors, lawyers and dentists). Our office can protect fathers’ rights, as well as mothers’ rights, in a divorce. If it is an amicable divorce situation, we assist our clients in negotiating separation agreements. Feel free to call us for a free consultation.

Vincent Basciano, nicknamed Vinny Gorgeous, has been convicted in a Federal Court, located in the Eastern District of New York, of having ordered the murder of Bonanno crime family associate Randolf Pizzolo.

Prosecutors Seek the Death Penalty

Federal prosecutors on the case claim that Vincent Basciano has killed and will kill again. They claim he’ll continue to kill people even if he is in prison.

Penalty Portion of Basciano’s Trial

Vincent Basciano’s lawyer, in a plea to the jury, asked that they choose their conscience between life over death. Mr. Basciano is already serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Frank Santoro in 2001. The death penalty demands by the government rely on informants working for the government. One of the informants is a former crime family boss.

Counsel for Mr. Basciano plans on pointing out that all of the witnesses to be presented by the government during the penalty portion of the case are themselves either murderers or have been involved with murders.

It is the prosecutor’s position, with regard to Mr. Basciano, that he killed people “to increase his standing in the Bonanno family.” He killed other men because they “embarrassed” him and he bragged about their murders!

Last Execution Was in 1963

There have been no executions either related to state proceedings or federal proceedings in the state of New York since 1963. However, the death penalty is still on the books. Will Mr. Basciano become the first man to receive the death penalty in almost fifty years? That’s up to the jury.

Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you have committed a crime, have been charged with a crime or have been arrested, we can represent you. The criminal lawyers of the law office of Elliot Schlissel represent individuals charged with drug offenses, assault, battery, juvenile defenses, shoplifting, burglary, driving while intoxicated, weapons possession and sex crimes. We represent men and women charged with all types of misdemeanors and felonies throughout the Metropolitan New York area. We also can assist our clients in arranging bail. Call us for a free consultation.

The personal lives of presidential candidates are quickly subject to detailed scrutiny. Marital infidelity is a topic that the gossip sheets, internet websites and newspapers dwell on.

Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky

There were rumblings during Bill Clinton’s first run for the presidency that he had been involved in extra-marital relationships. His wife, Hillary, stood by him through Bill’s denials of martial infidelity. Then came Monica Lewinsky. Of course, Bill said he never had sex with her. However, Monica’s activities with Bill resulted in his semen being deposited on her dress. Bill was almost impeached because of these improper activities and lying about them.

The Terminator

Arnold Schwarzenegger was the governor of California and one of the most powerful politicians in the country. It has recently come to light that he had a child with one of his household staff. Arnold was able to cover up this child’s existence for more than a dozen years. Unfortunately, it has become a public issue and his wife, Maria Shriver, has left him. Sorry about that, Arnold!

Presidential Politics in 2012

Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana is considering running for the presidency of the United States. However, there are some issues concerning Mrs. Daniels. In 1993, she left her husband and her four children. She went to California and married a different man. She later remarried Mr. Daniels in 1997. These are delicate matters that the Daniels family will have to face should he decides to throw his hat in the ring.

Newt Gingrich

Newt has, in the past, admitted his numerous marital infidelities. He is now married to his third wife. Will she be able to handle the media scrutiny of a presidential run?

Americans Want Candidates With Character

The relationships that candidates have with their families and their family structure are looked at by the American public as clues to their character. Europeans refer to Americans concern about martial fidelity as reflective of the provincial nature of relationships in America. Whether America is provincial or not, those relationships are examined in the press when you run for office.

New York and Long Island Divorce Lawyers

The law office of Elliot Schlissel have been handling divorces for more than three decades. We represent individuals in dealing with the grounds for divorce and family law issues. We litigate issues concerning child custody, child abuse and child neglect. We negotiate separation agreements, and pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements on behalf of our clients.

We represent men and women who have issues involving fathers’ rights and mothers’ rights. We also assist our clients in obtaining annulments. Feel free to call us for a free consultation.