New York Divorce Lawyer Blog
A parent facing a permanent-neglect proceeding may attend some services and make progress after a petition is filed, but those efforts do not automatically preserve parental rights. In a recent New York ruling, the court affirmed the termination of a father’s parental rights after finding that the social services agency made diligent reunification efforts and that the father still failed to plan adequately for his child’s future. The ruling shows why meaningful, timely participation in court-ordered services can be decisive in a termination proceeding. If your parental rights, custody, or relationship with your child are at risk, a knowledgeable New York family law attorney can help you understand the steps needed to protect your position.
New York Court Discusses Grounds for Terminating Parental Rights
Before a New York court can divide property, award maintenance, or grant a divorce, there must first be a legally cognizable marriage to dissolve. That threshold question can become surprisingly complicated when the parties participated in a religious wedding ceremony but previously signed a court-filed agreement stating that they never entered into a valid civil marriage. In a recent New York 
Custody agreements involving supervised parenting time and reunification therapy can create a carefully structured path toward rebuilding a parent’s relationship with a child. But what happens when a parent stops participating in that process and later asks the court to discard the agreement entirely? A recent New York ruling addresses that question, examining whether a reunification therapist was improperly given control over parenting time and whether a parent’s dissatisfaction with the progress of reunification justified sole custody and unsupervised access. The decision demonstrates that New York courts will closely examine both the terms of a negotiated custody agreement and the parties’ compliance with it before considering a significant change in custody. If you are involved in a dispute over custody, supervised parenting time, or reunification therapy, speaking with an experienced New York divorce attorney can help you understand your rights and the legal options available to you.
Receiving an inheritance during a marriage does not necessarily mean that the money will remain yours alone if you later divorce. Although New York generally classifies inherited property as separate property, the way a spouse handles those assets can transform them into marital property that must be divided with the other spouse. A recent New York 
A substantial drop in income can make an existing child support obligation increasingly difficult to meet. Still, a parent generally cannot simply reduce or stop payments because their financial circumstances have changed. In New York, the parent seeking a downward modification bears the burden of proving grounds for modifying the existing order. When the request is based on unemployment, the court may closely examine why the parent lost their job and what they did to find comparable employment afterward. A recent New York 
A custody case can change the course of a child’s life for years to come. Parents often believe that sharing custody is the fairest solution, but New York courts focus on one question above all others: what arrangement truly serves the child’s best interests. When evidence shows ongoing conflict between parents, an inability to communicate, or a history of domestic violence, the court may conclude that awarding sole custody is necessary to provide the child with the stability and security needed to thrive. A recent New York 
Dividing property during a divorce is rarely as straightforward as simply splitting everything down the middle. Disputes over inherited assets, retirement accounts, family gifts, and allegations that one spouse improperly spent or transferred marital funds can dramatically affect the financial outcome of a divorce. New York courts must carefully determine which assets belong to the marital estate, which remain separate property, and whether either spouse should bear financial consequences for their conduct during the marriage or litigation. A recent New York 
Relocation disputes are among the most challenging custody issues because they often involve two competing realities: one parent’s desire to pursue better financial opportunities and the importance of preserving a child’s stability and family relationships. While a move may offer economic advantages, New York courts look beyond the benefits to the relocating parent and carefully evaluate how the change will affect the child’s daily life, emotional needs, and connection with both parents. A recent New York 
Many people assume that a long-term marriage automatically results in a 50-50 division of every marital asset. In reality, New York’s equitable distribution laws require courts to focus on fairness, not mathematical equality. When disputes arise over the classification of property, retirement accounts, and each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, courts have broad discretion to craft a distribution they deem equitable under the circumstances. A recent New York