David Shapiro

Yes, by filing on Irretrievable Breakdown grounds, you save yourself the added expense of building a legal case against your spouse that demonstrates that their actions alone have broken your marriage. The old system led to widespread fraud and abuse, which the no-fault option is designed to … [Read more...] about Is A Queens No-Fault Divorce Cheaper Than Filing On Other Grounds?

Yes, spousal support payments are treated as income by the IRS and the State of New York, so you should anticipate a higher tax bill as a result of the award, while your former spouse can write off the payments they make to you. You are still eligible for various deductions and exemptions, so … [Read more...] about Do I Have To Pay Taxes On Alimony Payments In Queens?

Queens courts calculate temporary maintenance using one of two income-based formulas. And while these calculations can give a ballpark estimate for temporary maintenance in many Queens divorce actions, there are numerous variables that complicate the estimates. Where the court finds that the … [Read more...] about How Do Queens Divorce Courts Calculate Temporary Maintenance Amounts?

If you believe that your spouse is withholding property that requires appraisal or other appropriate valuation in your divorce in Queens, providing an itemized list of property is usually enough to prompt the judge to order those items turned over. The problem in such cases is that any property … [Read more...] about How Can I Get My Spouse To Provide Jewelry And Other Property For Appraisal In Our Queens Divorce?

When a couple divorces in New York, the recipient of the engagement ring owns it as a separate asset, since it was given prior to the marriage. This can sting the spouse who made the proposal when the ring was expensive or a family heirloom, but the idea that engagement rings are conditional … [Read more...] about Who Owns My Engagement Ring When We Divorce In Queens?

Yes, there are a number of ways to achieve a divorce in Queens without an ugly court fight. Some couples are able to work together to draw up a fair settlement between themselves, in which case they or their attorneys file an uncontested divorce and wait for the judge to ratify it. Other … [Read more...] about Is It Possible To Get A Divorce In Queens Without Litigation?