Author Archives: Friedman & Ranzenhofer

How Does Domestic Abuse Against Me Factor Into My Divorce?

Domestic abuse is extremely serious, and when a victim of family violence files for divorce, it’s important that appropriate steps are taken to protect them from their spouse. Orders of Protection can be requested, which will bar your spouse from the marital residence and make them subject to arrest if they contact you directly. Domestic […]

I Need To Make Sure My Spouse Is Paying Into A College Fund, But Our Child Is Only 8. How Can I Make That Happen?

Payment into college savings plans can be complicated by divorce. From the court’s point of view, an instrument like a 529 College Savings Plan is a marital asset subject to distribution – even though the funds are destined for your child. When developing a college savings plan as part of the divorce settlement or child […]

If My Spouse Cheated On Me, Does That Mean They’re Not Entitled To Things Like Support, The House, And Half Of Everything?

While adultery can destroy a marriage, in New York, it doesn’t have a big impact on the ultimate settlement, from the court’s point of view. On the other hand, in settlement negotiations, your attorney should use the fact of the adultery to push for better terms for you. In many cases, a cheating spouse feels […]

My Spouse Handled Our Finances. How Do I Get Our Financial Information?

These days, nearly every type of banking and financial institution account includes an online interface for account management. Your spouse will have to provide you with the passwords for things like bank accounts, retirement accounts, brokerages, investment accounts, and more. Many people handle their bill payments online, so you’ll also want to be able to […]

For How Long Will My Former Spouse Be Required To Pay Child Support?

In most instances, the non-custodial spouse is required to pay child support until the child reaches the age of 21. That’s the requirement though, and doesn’t speak to common situations that families with young adult children deal with. For instance, if your child turns 21 in college, it’s a safe bet that continuing some form […]

How Do We Cancel The Divorce If We’ve Decided To Reconcile?

We see it all the time: Couples on the edge of divorce who, as they finally sit down and talk openly about their problems, realize that their marriage can be saved after all. The good news is that even if you’ve already filed and begun the legal process of divorce, ending the process is straightforward […]

Do I Have To Make My Child Attend Visitation If She Doesn’t Want To?

The courts require that you not interfere in any way with your former spouse’s visitation, so it’s important that you encourage your child to attend. If your ex believes you are trying to keep your child away from them, it can lead to serious problems, including bringing everyone back to court to fight it out. […]

What If My Spouse Won’t Hire A Lawyer To Handle Their Side Of The Divorce?

New York doesn’t require the use of attorneys for divorce actions, and some of the reforms to divorce law in recent years have been aimed at making it easier for less affluent New Yorkers to be able to file uncontested divorces without the expense of attorneys. However, there are many potential pitfalls when you have […]

Repeat NY Drunk Driver Who Injured Passenger Sent to Prison

A Lackawanna, New York man’s sixth felony DWI conviction since 1989 resulted in a prison term of three to six years. He was also fined $5,000 and had his New York driver’s license revoked by the Erie County Supreme Court in Rochester, NY. He faced a prison term of three to seven years for his […]