- 10 Things You Will Want to Know Before Remarrying | Blog | April 2024 by Naomi Schanfield
Once you have experienced a first marriage that didn’t work out as expected, facing the prospect of remarriage can be daunting. However, it can also be an exciting adventure and an opportunity to start again and get it right this time.
To help you gain some understanding and perspective...
- How Family Courts Treat Severe Parental Alienation Cases | Blog | March 2024 by Karen B. Rosenthal
In divorce and high-conflict custody battles, one parent will often try to alienate the child from the other parent. Parental alienation may be an act of revenge against the other parent or an effort to hang on to the relationship with the child. Many parents fear that the child will side with the...
- How Spouses Hide Crypto During Divorce | Blog | February 2024 by Dror Bikel
New York High-Net-Worth Divorce: The Role of Cryptocurrency in Asset Division
Cryptocurrency has become a decisive factor in many highly-publicized millionaire divorces. Bitcoin and other digital currencies have become a magnet for spouses looking to hide assets from their soon-to-be...
- How to Keep Your Divorce Out of the Public Eye | Blog | January 2024 by Dror Bikel
Most divorcing couples prefer to keep their personal affairs private. Divorce is rarely pretty, and leaked details of your relationship, parenting, and financial issues can impact every aspect of your life—from job performance to family and community relationships.
Unfortunately, most...
- 5 Strategies to Convince Your Fiancé to Sign a Prenup | Blog | January 2024 by Karen B. Rosenthal
When it comes to marriage, it is essential to consider all aspects of your future together, including the possibility of a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is a legal contract that outlines the division of assets and responsibilities in the event of divorce or death. While...
- 21 Questions to Ask When You're Hiring a Divorce Attorney | Blog | January 2024 by Naomi Schanfield
When navigating divorce’s personal and procedural complexities, having a skilled attorney by your side can be a lifesaver. But how do you find the right divorce attorney for your case? Not all divorce lawyers are equally equipped for all types of disputes.
To help ensure you make the...
- Early Intervention for Parental Alienation in Divorce | Blog | December 2023 by Karen B. Rosenthal
After separation or divorce, parents may notice their child refusing contact or resisting efforts to maintain a relationship. This "resist-refuse dynamic" can be heartbreaking for parents. It's even worse for the child. Tragically, children who are turned against one parent by another can come away...
- How Can a Mother Lose Child Custody? | Blog | November 2023 by Naomi Schanfield
Historically, mothers have had the upper hand in child custody battles with fathers. Motherhood as an institution was revered, and courts operated under the assumption that mothers were de facto better parents than fathers, especially during the ‘tender years’ of a child’s...
- Exorbitant Celebrity Child Support Payments: Is it All for the Kids? | Blog | October 2023 by Karen B. Rosenthal
Over the summer we saw Christine Baumgartner demand $248,000 a month in child support in her divorce from Kevin Costner for the three children of their marriage. Costner had countered that his offer of $51,000 was more than sufficient, and the court seemed to split the difference with a temporary...
- Foreign Assets in a Divorce: How Are Marital Assets Divided if They Are in a Different Country? | Blog | September 2023 by Dror Bikel
Divorce is complicated, even when it is relatively amicable and you and your spouse aren’t squabbling over your money, possessions, and the divorce settlement terms. However, it can become exceptionally complicated when you, your spouse, or both of you have assets that are in another country....
- Pandemic’s End Sees Flurry of Celeb Splits as Overall Divorces Spike | Blog | September 2023 by Karen B. Rosenthal
Sofia Vergara, Joe Manganiello, Reese Witherspoon, Jim Toth, Jason Momoa, and Lisa Bonet. These are a few of the high-profile, celebrity couples who called it quits in 2022 and 2023. Was COVID-19 a factor in the decision to end their marriages? Did the pandemic have a significant impact on the U.S....
- How to Rebuild Your Retirement and Savings Post-Divorce | Blog | September 2023 by Karen B. Rosenthal
Disclaimer: We are not financial advisors. The content in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. We can connect you with a licensed financial advisor if necessary. Always remember to make smart decisions and do your own research.
During a marriage, people make a variety of...
- Why Do Divorce Rates Peak in August? | Blog | August 2023 by Karen B. Rosenthal
The month of August derives its name from the Latin verb augere, which means “to increase.” So it seems like more than just a coincidence that researchers have found out that divorce rates in August do actually increase. But this measurable trend is not just based on an ancient language...
- Marital Waste and Property Division In Your Divorce | Blog | June 2023 by Dror Bikel
New York is an equitable distribution state. This means that only property acquired during a marriage is subject to division during divorce. In trying to divide marital assets fairly, New York courts consider a variety of factors, including non-monetary contributions, contributions to the...
- Successful Remarriage: Your Chances Are Likely Better Than Popular Opinion Indicates | Blog | June 2023 by Dror Bikel
Divorce statistics can be discouraging, with more than 60% of second marriages and more than 70% of third marriages eventually dissolving. There are diverse causes – including financial stress, issues unresolved from previous relationships, and challenges related to becoming a stepparent. But...
- Are You Married to a Psychopath? 18 Signs That Your Spouse May Be a Psychopath | Blog | June 2023 by Dror Bikel
The chances that you are dating or married to a psychopath are not as far-fetched as you may imagine. About one out of every 100 people is a psychopath, and they tend to be extremely charming and charismatic. Therefore they are often highly successful in mainstream occupations and popular in...
- Counseling Through a Divorce: What You Need to Know | Blog | April 2023 by Naomi Schanfield
Perhaps you tried marriage counseling, but it did not have the intended effect. Instead of helping you to become closer to your spouse, your sessions enabled you to see more clearly why you shouldn’t remain together. Now you are determined to dissolve your marriage, and someone has suggested...
- Does Joint Custody Prevent Parents from Moving? | Blog | March 2023 by Karen B. Rosenthal
New York has no set rules limiting a custodial parent's move. Courts will decide based on the child's best interests, considering aspects like their relationship with each parent, each parent's emotional stability, the existing co-parenting dynamics, the child's personal preference if they are...
- What Is Conscious Uncoupling, and Can it Help Your Divorce Process? | Blog | January 2023 by Karen B. Rosenthal
Doing Divorce The Gwyneth Paltrow Way
Conscious uncoupling refers to a separation where both partners act responsibly and work together to build a healthy future for themselves and their children. A divorce or breakup free of animosity is perceived as rare in our society when it should be the...
- Dating After Divorce: When Can You Remarry? | Blog | January 2023 by Naomi Schanfield
Maybe remarriage is the furthest thing from your mind while you’re working through a divorce. Or maybe you have already begun a new relationship that is headed down a serious path. Either way, odds are high that you will eventually walk down the aisle again. As many as 52 percent of divorced...
- Parental Alienation Reunification Programs | Blog | July 2022 by Naomi Schanfield
If you have experienced alienation from your child, do not lose hope. Parental reunification programs can help rebuild your relationship and create a happy future for you and your child.
What is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation is a strategy used by the alienating parent to...
- Are Divorce Records Public in NY? | Blog | May 2022 by Naomi Schanfield
A divorce is one of the most personal and private things you will ever deal with in your life. The details of your divorce are most certainly things you do not want to be made public. Your privacy can be completely protected throughout your divorce.
Divorce and Public Records
In New York...
- This Is the Biggest Sign That Your Marriage Will End in Divorce | Blog | January 2022 by Dror Bikel
If there was a test that would tell you if your marriage would end in divorce, would you want to take it? Therapist Dr. John Gottman has spent 40 years studying married couples and analyzing why some marriages end and others don’t. His research is able to predict with 90% accuracy whether a...
- 8 Best Marriage Therapists in Nassau County | Blog | December 2021 by Dror Bikel
If you are unhappy in your marriage and considering divorce, the first call you should make is not to a divorce lawyer, but to a marriage therapist. A Nassau County marriage therapist can help you resolve the issues in your marriage and bring happiness back into your life.
How Marriage...
- 9 Top Marriage and Family Therapists in Westchester County | Blog | December 2021 by Dror Bikel
If your marriage has reached a breaking point, you may think divorce is your best option. Instead of walking away from your marriage, you may be able to save it by working with a marriage and family therapist in Westchester County. You’ve put a lot of time and effort into your marriage. It is...
- Financial Considerations in a Gray Divorce | Blog | November 2021 by Eric Weinstein
Gray divorce is a term used to refer to divorce among people over age 50. Pew Research reports that the divorce rate among those over age 50 has doubled in the past three decades, and it has tripled for those over age 65. Divorce in this age group gives rise to significant financial issues that may...
- High-Earning Female Spouses & Divorce | Blog | November 2021 by Naomi Schanfield
In the past, female spouses almost always earned less than their husbands. Today, that is changing. A Harris Poll recently revealed that half of the women surveyed earn as much or more than their partner. This is excellent news for gender equality, but bad news when it comes to...
- 5 Stages of Divorce Grief | Blog | October 2021 by Naomi Schanfield
You may be familiar with the stages of grief that were first explained by Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross in the context of losing a loved one or even facing one’s own death. Research has shown that divorce causes a similar grieving process and that it is healthy to progress through all of the...
- New York Protections for Male Domestic Violence Victims | Blog | October 2021 by Naomi Schanfield
While the stereotypical portrayal of domestic violence is a male perpetrator and a female victim, men are also victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence includes a wide range of behaviors and situations that occur between intimate partners.
New York defines intimate partners as people...
- Cryptocurrency and Your Divorce | Blog | August 2021 by Dror Bikel
Cryptocurrency is a new type of currency. It is a digital asset that is bought, sold, and traded on specific online platforms. The value of cryptocurrency fluctuates and has an exchange rate just like other currencies. There are thousands of types of cryptocurrency, but the most popular and...
- Spyware & Your Divorce - What You Should Know | Blog | June 2021 by Dror Bikel
Spyware are computer programs that record or “log” anything that’s typed on that computer. If spyware is installed on your computer, the person who installed it can see everywhere you go on the internet, every email you type, your passwords, every search you do, and any...
- How to Prepare for a Divorce Court Appearance | Blog | June 2021 by Eric Weinstein
The time you spend in court for your divorce or family court case will likely be tense and worrisome. Even if you have been in court on previous occasions for business matters, divorce and family law cases are very different types of court appearances. There are a variety of things you should...
- How to Choose Your Divorce Lawyer | Blog | May 2021 by Dror Bikel
Your divorce lawyer is the most important person in your life when you are going through a divorce. Because of this, it is crucial that you select an attorney who is not only experienced and knowledgeable, but is someone you trust, feel confident in, and can work with.
Why Finding the Right...
- A New Kind of Marital Property: Genetic Material | Blog | April 2021 by Dror Bikel
Divorce involves a complete division of all of a couple’s marital property. This often includes homes, vehicles, investments, retirement accounts, businesses, intellectual property, personal and household belongings, and items such as art, jewelry, and collectibles. Another type of marital...
- What is Common Law Marriage? | Blog | January 2021 by Naomi Schanfield
It is more and more common for couples to live together without getting married. According to a Pew Research study, 59 percent of American adults have cohabitated with a partner at some point (greater than the percent who have ever been married). Many people have heard of common law marriage and...
- Jolie-Pitt Case Highlights Potential Problems with Private Judges | Blog | August 2020 by Dror Bikel
Recently we talked about how private judges can offer a way to keep your divorce proceeding completely private. When you and your spouse retain a retired judge to act as an arbitrator for your divorce, your case becomes completely private--only the arbitrated settlement submitted to the state court...
- When to Fire Your Divorce Attorney | Blog | July 2020 by Dror Bikel
You have specific goals for your divorce, and you must have a lawyer who is prepared to achieve your objectives and will fight vigorously to attain them. You have one case and one opportunity to convince the court that your position is the correct one. If you aren't pleased with how your attorney...
- Is Your Spouse Hiding Assets in Your High Net Worth Divorce? | Blog | April 2020 by Dror Bikel
Full disclosure of all financial information is a required and essential part of any divorce, but this is particularly crucial in a high net worth divorce. When a spouse realizes that so much of their future hinges on how marital assets are divided, they may work to conceal or dissipate marital...
- NY Child Custody Evaluation - An Inside Look | Blog | April 2020 by Dror Bikel
High conflict custody cases usually involve child custody evaluation. These evaluations are usually done by licensed therapists who have experience working with children in divorce and custody situations. The evaluators are usually psychologists, social workers, or family therapists who have not...
- Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in a High-Net-Worth Divorce | Blog | March 2020 by Dror Bikel
Divorce is challenging for anyone, but there are special considerations in your divorce because of your high net worth. The advice and information considered standard for divorce cases does not apply to clients in this unique situation. Protect yourself by avoiding these common...
- Divorce Rates Rise with Coronavirus Isolation; Divorce Court Cases Experience Delays | Blog | March 2020
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing people around the world to stay at home for weeks. For many families, this alteration in their daily routines may have long-lasting consequences.
Officials in China have observed a significant spike in the number of couples applying for divorce, citing...
- How New York Handles Crypto Assets in Divorce | Blog | August 2019 by Dror Bikel
As Bitcoin’s popularity increases daily, more and more New Yorkers are having to seek out and split up crypto assets in divorce – tasks that become problematic without the right approach.
By 2030, analysts estimate the cryptocurrency business market value will exceed $3.1...
- How to Understand and Manage a Late in Life Divorce | Blog | August 2018 by Dror Bikel
Late in life divorce, also known as a “gray divorce”, is rapidly increasing in frequency. Based on research from The Pew Institute, out of Washington D.C., divorce between individuals age 50 years and older has doubled since the 1990’s.
These rates are slightly greater in...
- Getting by on a $100 Million Net Worth in NYC | Blog | March 2018 by Dror Bikel
Comfortable family living on a net worth of $100 million sounds totally doable - unless you live in NYC and as a divorce lawyer for Manhattanites I can (well almost) appreciate their struggle to maintain a New York City lifestyle. So, is $100 million enough? Maybe not.
In fact, a recent...
- New York City Divorce: New Yorkers are Different – Rules & Realities | Blog | January 2018 by Dror Bikel
New York City divorce is anything but typical.
With its cultural diversity, wide socioeconomic range and distinct occupations, New York City divorce is in a realm of its own. High net worth New York City families face challenging asset valuation and equitable distribution obstacles. New York...