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.
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? →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 →Locking Down the Summer Parenting Schedule Before June
Summer break collapses the school-year routine most custody orders quietly rely on. Vacations, camps, and travel all compete at once. The parents who avoid a July blow-up are the ones who put dates in writing in the spring — first refusal, travel notice, and who covers camp costs. A quick note now beats an emergency motion in August.
Summer parenting time in NY →Who Keeps the House? What “Equitable” Really Means
Equitable distribution doesn’t mean a 50/50 split of the marital home. Buyout, sale, or a deferred sale until the kids finish school are all on the table, and a mortgage in one spouse’s name doesn’t decide it. Understanding your realistic options early keeps the house from becoming the thing the whole case fights over.
The marital home in divorce →