David Shapiro

For the majority of couples facing divorce after one spouse’s infidelity, filing on the grounds of adultery will simply take longer, be more combative, and cost more money. While it may be satisfying to imagine a judge admonishing your spouse for their misbehavior, the truth is that judges would … [Read more...] about Why Shouldn’t I File On Adultery Grounds In Queens If My Spouse Cheated?

It’s possible that you’ll have to pay your spouse’s legal fees, even if they filed against you. Courts in Queens are very open to the proposition that an individual, even if they are the poorer of the two spouses, should have access to divorce court, and that a wealthier spouse shouldn’t … [Read more...] about Do I Have To Pay My Spouse’s Legal Fees If They Filed Against Me In Queens?

It’s very common in divorce scenarios in Queens for one spouse to be responsible for the bulk of the household’s earnings, while the other works at raising children and maintaining the home and brings in little or no cash income. To ensure equal access to the courts, parties in this situation … [Read more...] about How Can I Afford A Divorce In Queens If I’m A Stay At Home Parent?

Yes, you can include expenses like tuition in your calculation of spousal maintenance, and require that maintenance last at least until you’ve achieved a particular educational goal, like graduating with a bachelors or other degree, or landing a job in your field. Spousal maintenance is designed … [Read more...] about I Worked To Support My Spouse’s Education In Queens And Now We’re Divorcing. Can I Include College Costs In A Settlement?

It’s unlikely that a request like this will meet approval from either a court or your former spouse, but one option for structuring maintenance, especially in younger couples who still have strong earning potential, is to set maintenance to a particular time frame that that will allow your spouse to … [Read more...] about My Spouse Refused To Work During Our Marriage, So Can My Maintenance Be Contingent On My Spouse Working At Some Kind Of Job?