David Shapiro

Parental fitness is one consideration in determining custody in Queens, and it is related to a parent’s stability, home environment, lifestyle, health status, career, and similar metrics that are thought to indicate that the person is mature, has good judgment, and can provide proper moral, … [Read more...] about How Do Judges Determine Parental Fitness In Queens Custody Disputes?

That depends entirely on you and your spouse. In an uncontested divorce, the judge will likely make no decisions beyond granting your Judgment of Divorce. In an acrimonious contested matter, the judge may decide the majority of issues, including allocation of property and debt, child custody, and … [Read more...] about What Issues Will The Judge Decide In Our Divorce In Queens?

Yes, a Separation Agreement can be converted to a Judgment of Divorce in Queens after it has been in effect for one year. Because the Separation Agreement addresses the same issues that your divorce settlement would, they can sometimes be accepted as an entire divorce settlement. In other … [Read more...] about Can A Separation Agreement Become A Divorce Settlement In Queens?

Yes, we can help you search through public records databases as part of your divorce process, looking for a spouse you’ve lost contact with. If we are ultimately unsuccessful in locating your spouse, you are still allowed to divorce, using a process known as Publication Divorce. This method … [Read more...] about Can You Help Me Locate My Spouse, Who I Haven’t Seen For Several Years?

No, divorces in Queens and all jurisdictions of New York are handled by The Supreme Court of the State of New York. You’ll file with the Supreme Court in your county, or the county where your spouse lives, and the divorce process will commence there. A Supreme Court judge will oversee your … [Read more...] about Are Divorces Handled By Family Court In Queens?

There are several different kinds of spousal maintenance available to lower-earning spouses in Queens. Durational maintenance is a series of payments that last for a given length of time, often intended to allow the spouse to get established educationally or in the workforce. In longer … [Read more...] about What Are The Kinds Of Spousal Maintenance Available In Queens Divorces?