How NY Courts Determine a Child’s Best Interests in Custody Cases
Child custody can be an emotional and contentious aspect of a divorce case. However, the parents’ preferences or objections are not what determine the custody decision. The court will focus on what is in the best interests of the child. There is no statutory definition of the term “best interests” in New York. Rather, there […]
Who is Liable if You’re Hurt on a NYC Sidewalk?
The sidewalks of New York are common sites of accidents caused by poor weather or pavement conditions. If you trip or slip and fall due to no fault of your own, you may be able to recover damages from the person or entity responsible for maintaining that stretch of sidewalk. But how do you know […]
Can a Child’s Preference Influence Custody and Visitation Schedules?
New York family courts encourage divorcing or separating parents to work out custody and visitation schedules themselves whenever possible. But doing so requires a level of cooperation that many parents simply cannot muster, particularly when the children are mature enough to have a say in the arrangements. Children may express a preference for living with […]
Choosing a Successor Trustee for Your Revocable Living Trust
When you sit down to do your estate planning, you might consider using a revocable living trust, rather than a will, to direct the distribution of your property. People choose trusts for a variety of reasons, including the fact that trusts let beneficiaries avoid the substantial time and expense of probate. A trust can also […]
How Is Child Support Calculated in a New York Divorce?
A divorce can be difficult for all members of a family, but it can be especially hard on children. Although they will typically still see both parents, one parent may have sole custody, while the other parent will have visitation rights. In New York, child support is an amount of money paid by one parent to the other for […]
What Are the Most Common Causes of Burn Injuries in New York?
A burn injury can be one of the most painful types of injuries a person can experience, but it may also affect more than just a victim’s skin. First-, second-, or third-degree burns can lead to life-threatening infections and even damage to internal organs. According to the American Burn Association, approximately 450,000 patients receive medical treatment for […]
What Are the Benefits of Establishing Paternity in New York?
What Are the Benefits of Establishing Paternity in New York? Establishing paternity, or fatherhood, refers to the process of determining the legal father of a child. When a child is born to unwed parents, the child has no “legal” father. This means that even if a mother knows who the birth father is, if a couple […]
What Injuries Can Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim in New York?
Losing a loved one is never easy, regardless of the circumstances. However, if the death was caused by an accident involving another person’s negligence, it can be even more devastating. Depending on the scenario, relatives of the deceased may be able to file a wrongful death claim. This type of personal injury claim can seek compensation for hardship due […]
What Directives Can Be Included in a New York Living Will?
As helpful as it would be, nobody can predict the future. Life can change in an instant, and in some cases, circumstances can impact a person’s life dramatically. For instance, a car accident can leave an occupant with severe and debilitating injuries. An incident like that can render someone unable to work and provide for […]
How Long Does Spousal Support Last After a New York Divorce?
The end of a marriage often signifies more than just the loss of a long-term relationship. For some people, a divorce can be devastating both emotionally and financially. This is especially true in cases where one spouse earned a significantly higher income than the other spouse, or if one spouse stayed home to raise children. In the […]