On February 17th, Justice Maron, sitting in the Supreme Court of Nassau County, rendered a decision in the case of S. S. v. M.S, denying the defendant husband a downward modification of his child support and spousal maintenance payments. The husband's application to the court indicated that his income had been greatly reduced. He stated his income … [Read more...]
Mother’s Request to Relocate Her Child Denied
This past summer, Justice Falanga, a Supreme Court Judge sitting in Nassau County, made a ruling that despite a child’s wishes, the relocation of the child with the mother to Michigan was denied. The wife decided to relocate from New York to Michigan. She had residential custody of the parties’ children. The father brought a proceeding for custody … [Read more...]
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren’s Post-Marriage Pre-Nuptial Agreement?
Reports have been circulating the past few days that Tiger Woods has been in negotiation with his wife Elin to "update" the pre-nuptial agreement to induce her to stay in the marriage after news of several of his extra-marital affairs became public. Originally, the couple's pre-nuptial agreement, signed in October of 2004, stipulated that Ms. … [Read more...]
Britney Spears, Annulment, and Mental Illness in New York
In an effort to discuss the laws relating to having a marriage annulled in New York, it is worthwhile to bring up Britney Spears' petition to annul her marriage signed just hours after her Las Vegas marriage. The couple tied the knot in a Las Vegas chapel Saturday morning, January 3, 2004 at 5 AM. She signed a petition to have the marriage annulled … [Read more...]
Getting a Common Law Marriage Recognized in New York
Common Law Marriage Versus Regular Marriage The majority of states have laws establishing that marriages are only recognized when created with a marriage license and an official marriage ceremony. This is very important because many rights are dependant on the existence of a valid marriage. For instance, only a wife is entitled to an equitable … [Read more...]
Fathers’ Rights – Video and Website
In addition to his wide-ranging experience in most major areas of law in general, and his extensive experience in Matrimonial and Family law in particular, Mr. Schlissel has a particular expertise representing fathers in child custody matters. Feel free to browse his Father's Rights website for more information about that, or contact the office … [Read more...]
Navigating the Matrimonial/Custodial Jurisdiction Gauntlet in NY Where One Spouse is Out-of-State
As an office with a large matrimonial/family law practice, we often work with both out-of-state clients, as well as in-state clients whose spouse has moved out of state, where custody of the children is an issue. There are a number of laws in New York relating to whether New York has jurisdiction to handle a couple's divorce, the child custody … [Read more...]
N.Y. Validates License-less Religious Marriages But Not N.J., Unless…
Prof. Howard M. Friedman, at the Religion Clause blog, has posted another very interesting case relating to New York Domestic Relations Law. He reported on the case of Matter of Farraj, decided by the Surrogate's Court in Kings County last week. In that case, Rabaa M. Hanash, the decedent Daoud Farraj's wife, petitioned the court for an accounting … [Read more...]
Are Non-Modifiable § 516 Non-Marital Child Support Agreements Unconstitutional?
As an office that has a very strong Matrimonial and Family practice, it is with great interest that we read Noeleen Walder's recent article in the New York Law Journal ("NYLJ," subscription required). She reported that the current non-modifiable status of § 516 child support agreements for non-marital children, may soon be changing. Child Support … [Read more...]
New York Court Grants First Lesbian Divorce
Our office practices a great deal of matrimonial law, so it is with great interest that we read about a Broome County New York Supreme Court justice who just granted Lauren Wells-Weiss and Shari Weiss (married in Canada) a divorce. By doing so, it implicitly also recognized the fact that they were initially married, the first time this has … [Read more...]
