7 Free Guides for New York Families
Seven practical guides covering divorce, child custody, mediation, orders of protection, and more — written by experienced Western New York family law attorneys. Download any or all, instantly and free.
Complete Guide to Divorce in New York
12 pages • PDFEverything you need to understand the New York divorce process — from grounds for divorce and equitable distribution to spousal maintenance, child custody, and how long it all takes.
- Grounds for divorce in New York
- Contested vs. uncontested divorce explained
- Equitable distribution of marital property
- How spousal maintenance is calculated
- Child custody and the “best interests” standard
- New York Child Support guidelines (CSSA)
- Step-by-step divorce process timeline
- How to choose the right divorce attorney
Divorce Preparation Checklist: 25 Steps Before You File
4 pages • PDFA practical step-by-step checklist that walks you through everything you should do before filing for divorce — from securing your finances to protecting your children’s stability.
- Immediate safety and privacy steps
- Financial documents to gather now
- How to protect your credit and accounts
- What not to do before you file
- Children and custody preparation tips
- Questions to ask your attorney
- Urgent action items clearly flagged
- Printable format — check off as you go
Divorce Mediation in New York: A Complete Guide
8 pages • PDFWritten by Weinrieb Law’s certified mediator, this guide explains how divorce mediation works in New York, what it costs, and how to decide if it’s right for your situation.
- How mediation differs from litigation
- The mediation process step by step
- What can — and can’t — be mediated
- Cost comparison: mediation vs. court
- Is mediation right for you? (checklist)
- Ground rules used in every session
- FAQ: confidentiality, attorneys, failed mediation
- How a certified mediator-attorney is different
Child Custody in New York: A Complete Guide
9 pages • PDFEverything parents need to know about child custody in New York — from the difference between legal and physical custody to parenting plans, relocation, and how to modify an existing order.
- Legal vs. physical custody explained
- How New York courts decide custody
- “Best interests of the child” factors
- Parenting plans and holiday schedules
- The Tropea relocation standard
- Attorney for the Child (AFC) — what they do
- How to modify a custody order
- Protecting your parental rights
Post-Divorce Checklist: 50+ Steps After Your Divorce
4 pages • PDFYour divorce is final — now what? This comprehensive checklist covers every financial, legal, and personal step you need to take after your judgment of divorce is entered.
- Updating beneficiary designations
- Closing and separating joint accounts
- Transferring property and vehicle titles
- Updating your will, trust, and POA
- Health insurance and COBRA deadlines
- Name change steps (if applicable)
- QDRO and retirement account transfers
- Social Security and tax filing updates
Business Owner’s Guide to Divorce in New York
9 pages • PDFIf you own a business and are facing divorce, the stakes are high. This guide covers business valuation methods, how to protect your company, and strategies to minimize disruption and tax exposure.
- Is your business marital or separate property?
- Business valuation methods (income, asset, market)
- What a forensic accountant looks for
- Protecting the business during proceedings
- Buyout vs. co-ownership vs. sale options
- Tax consequences of business transfers
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreement strategies
- Self-employed income and support calculations
Orders of Protection in New York: A Complete Guide
9 pages • PDFWhether you need to obtain an order of protection or are responding to one, this guide explains the process, your rights, and what to expect in Family Court and Criminal Court in New York.
- Emergency vs. temporary vs. final orders
- Family Court vs. Criminal Court — key differences
- How to apply for an order of protection
- Conditions commonly included in orders
- What happens when an order is violated
- How orders affect custody and divorce proceedings
- Responding to an order filed against you
- Emergency resources and safety planning
Why Download These Guides?
New York–Specific
Written specifically for New York law — not generic national content. Covers NY’s equitable distribution rules, CSSA child support formula, and maintenance guidelines.
Cuts Through the Confusion
Divorce law is complex. These guides translate legal jargon into plain English so you can have an informed conversation with your attorney from day one.
Save Money on Legal Fees
The more prepared you are, the less time your attorney needs to spend bringing you up to speed — which directly lowers your legal costs.
Protect Your Interests
Many people make costly mistakes in the early stages of divorce simply because they didn’t know what not to do. These guides help you avoid the most common pitfalls.
About the Authors
26+ Combined Years of Family Law Experience
These 7 guides were prepared by the attorneys at Weinrieb Law — a family law firm based in Williamsville, NY that has exclusively handled divorce, custody, and family law matters for 16+ years.
Attorney Pieter Weinrieb is a certified mediator and one of the most experienced divorce attorneys in Erie County. The firm's dual-attorney model gives clients access to senior oversight on every case.
Firm Credentials
- Certified Mediator — Pieter G. Weinrieb, Esq.
- 26+ combined years in family law
- Dual-Attorney Team for Full Case Coverage
- Avvo Client's Choice Award
- 5.0 Google Rating
- Serving All of Erie & Niagara Counties
Ready to Talk to an Attorney?
Our free guides are a great starting point — but every case is different. Contact Weinrieb Law for a confidential consultation.