
Divorce and Family Law Blog
Joanne P. Monagan, Principal Attorney/CEO
My intention is to create a journal (blog) of topical and current information about family law issues that will be of interest to our clients and prospective clients. Sources for blog posts will be my own experiences, experiences reported by my colleagues, relevant articles, news and information about the courts, judicial decisions of interest, your questions, and related information. We intend to post frequently, so please stay in touch with our website and be sure to contact our office if you desire a consultation. We will always stand by you.
Tips for joint custody in New York
If you and your ex-spouse have gone through the divorce process and you have children together, the judge may have issued a joint custody order. Under this order, both of you are custodial parents who spend roughly equal amounts of time with the children and have...
When prenups are necessary
A prenuptial agreement, also called a "prenup," is a contract agreed to between future spouses before marriage that usually concerns how divorces will be handled, how property will be distributed upon the death of a spouse, and other issues. There are certain...
What happens to retirement funds after a divorce?
When you go through a divorce in New York, you're likely to face the division of your marital property. Marital property is defined as anything gained while you were married. This may include a business, a home and even your retirement accounts. Understandably, people...
An overview of asset distribution during a divorce
When you file for divorce in New York, one of your first questions to your attorney might be "What will I get in the divorce?" Unfortunately, it's hard to say right away. If you didn't sign a prenup, dividing up you and your former spouse's assets might take months....
What shouldn’t be included in your prenup?
By now, most people in New York are aware of the benefits of signing a prenuptial agreement. A prenup can help you divide your assets during a divorce without entering an expensive court battle. You can use a prenup to protect assets like properties, investments,...
How do judges decide custody?
When it comes to child custody battles in New York, the judge ultimately has the final decision. However, most judges know that the child's livelihood is in their hands. They'll want to gather all the facts before making a decision so they know they're acting in the...
Getting through a divorce with less stress
Couples who are going through a divorce in New York and across the U.S. might experience a great deal of emotional and financial stress. Sorting through issues such as child visitation, property division and other matters can take its toll. Fortunately, most divorces...
What might cause a parent to lose custody of their child?
Once a parent has been awarded full custody in New York, it might be tempting to assume that they'll have full custody forever. However, a parent can lose custody if the court has reason to believe that the parent has been mistreating their child. Here are some of the...
How can parents in New York request a child support modification?
When the court orders a parent to pay a specific amount of child support, that amount might not be relevant forever. If the parent experiences a decrease in income, they might find it difficult to make the required payment. If they experience a sharp increase in...
How to protect a business from a divorce
A divorce could have a significant impact on your New York company. However, there are steps that you can take today to minimize the potential disruption that the end of your marriage might have on your business or your ability to earn a living. Create prenuptial or...