Firm Updates
Short, Practical Notes on New York Divorce & Family Law
The same practical guidance our attorneys share with Western New York families every day — written in plain English. Each note is a quick read; follow the link for the full breakdown of the law, the statutes, and what to do next. For our longer articles, visit the blog.
What a Divorce Actually Costs in Erie County
Ask most firms what a divorce costs and you’ll get a shrug. We published the real numbers instead. Court fees are fixed for everyone — about $335 ($210 index number, $95 RJI, $30 note of issue). Attorney fees are the variable, and they track conflict more than anything else: a genuinely uncontested divorce in Western New York typically runs $1,500–$3,500, while contested cases are billed hourly and climb with the level of dispute. And if your spouse controls the money, DRL §237 lets the court order them to contribute to your fees. Plan instead of worry.
What divorce costs in Erie County →When You Can’t Wait: Emergency Custody in New York
Some custody problems can’t wait for a regular court date. When a child faces immediate risk — a parent threatening to leave the state with the kids, unsafe conditions, a crisis at an exchange — New York courts can hear an emergency application by order to show cause, sometimes the same day it’s filed. The judge sees only what’s in your affidavit, so specific dates, facts, and documentation matter more than adjectives. Emergency relief is temporary by design; a full hearing follows. The standard is immediate harm — and the details decide it.
Emergency custody, explained →The Financial Restrictions That Snap Into Place the Day You File
New York’s automatic orders take effect the moment a divorce is filed — before any judge weighs in. They bar both spouses from moving money, changing beneficiaries, or canceling insurance. People violate them without knowing they exist, then have to explain it in court. Know the four categories before you make any financial move.
Automatic orders explained →Graduation Isn’t the Finish Line for Child Support in New York
Every May a parent watches their child cross the stage and stops the auto-pay the next morning. In New York the obligation runs to age 21 — not 18, not graduation — even if the child is in college or working part-time. Self-stopping payments is how well-meaning parents end up served with a violation petition and stacking arrears. If your child is nearing 21, file the petition and let the court make the finding.
When does child support end? →