In 2010, the State Legislature in New York passed laws with regard to temporary spousal maintenance which is more commonly referred to as alimony. Since then, many divorce and family law attorneys as well as Judges have been upset about these new laws. The temporary maintenance formula is intended to provide a greater level of consistency in all … [Read more...]
What You Shouldn’t Say To Friends Who Don’t Have Children
When a couple has children it is usually an extremely significant event in their lives. The raising of children changes many aspects of the couples life. One of the aspects that can be negatively impacted on is the friendships with couples that do not have children. There are important things you should never say to a couple that doesn’t have … [Read more...]
Teenagers Should Not Be Tried As Adults
Jonathan Lipman is the Chief Judge of the State of New York. He seeks to reform our legal system with regard to the prosecution of teenagers as adults. He believes that teenagers who commit minor crimes should have these matters handled by the Family Courts and not the Criminal Courts. New York is one of only two states in the United States that … [Read more...]
Women Given Equal Rights to Become the Queen of England
Female children in England now have an equal chance to become the Head of State. If newlyweds Prince William and Kate Middleton have a daughter, she can now become Queen. This is true even if she has younger brothers. The countries in the English Commonwealth have recently agreed to change the century-old rules concerning who can become the Head of … [Read more...]
Order of Protection Fails, Woman Shot
Carmen Valdez obtained an order of protection from her boyfriend, Felix Perez. She was assured by police officers that Felix would be arrested if he threatened her in violation of the order of protection, issued by the Bronx Criminal Court. Thereafter, Mr. Perez shot Carmen Valdez. Bullets pierced her face and her arm. Felix Perez killed himself … [Read more...]
Violence In Judge’s Chambers During Florida Divorce
Kathleen Scott-Gonzalez appeared in court for a hearing on her divorce in Plantation, Florida. She expected this to be the final day of the trial on her divorce case. What she didn't anticipate was that she would be beaten up by her husband in the judge's chambers and end up with a broken nose and fractured jaw! Kathleen and her husband Paul … [Read more...]
Pet Torturer Sentenced
Sharon McDonough may permanently lose custody of her children! Sharon McDonough has been found guilty in Suffolk County, New York, of torturing and killing pets. She raised her children in what has been referred to as horrid conditions. Judge C. Randall Hinrich's sentenced Ms. McDonough to two years in jail. He stated that her crimes were … [Read more...]
The Court Values Marital Property and Professional License
Justice W. Kelly, sitting in the Supreme Court in Rockland County recently rendered a decision in a contested matrimonial action. In this lawsuit he determined the valuation of the husband's dental practice. He also valued other separate property and marital property. The assets in question were the marital residence and its contents, and … [Read more...]
Prenuptial Agreement between American Male and French Woman
Judge Kaplan, sitting in the Southern District of New York (a federal court), was recently presented with an issue as to whether the United States or France should interpret the terms of a prenuptial agreement. The wife in this situation was a citizen of France. The husband was a citizen of the United States. They had entered into a prenuptial … [Read more...]
Division of Property in a Divorce
The division of assets in a divorce can be a significant issue. Lawyers are expensive. They charge on an hourly basis. A "common sense" approach to division of assets can reduce your legal expenses. Both parties may have deferred compensation assets, such as pensions, 401Ks, 403Bs, and IRAs. You should establish the value of these assets and … [Read more...]
