David Shapiro

You probably don’t have to pay child support for a mentally disabled child past the age of 21. While there may be ethical and moral considerations in how you approach this question, the position taken by the State of New York is that there are state-sanctioned services available to disabled … [Read more...] about Do I Have To Pay Child Support For A Mentally Disabled Child Into Adulthood?

Matrimonial law for same-sex couples is evolving fast in the United States, but not all states allow married gay couples to divorce. If you and your spouse are considering moving to New York to divorce, one or both of you will have to live here for one consecutive year before you can file. … [Read more...] about How Long Must A Married Gay Couple Live In New York Before They Can Divorce Here?

If there are significant marital assets or children whose custody is in dispute, then an annulment may have the same settlement features that a divorce would have, while still protecting certain personal priorities, like marrying in one’s faith in the future. When a marriage is voided by fact or … [Read more...] about Does An Annulment Have The Same Type Of Settlement As A Divorce?

Fraud is the foundation for most annulment petitions in New York, but not any fraud will suffice to win an annulment. When one spouse has lied or concealed something that is essential to the marriage contract, they may have committed a fraud that can cause the marriage to be voidable. … [Read more...] about What Types Of Fraud Make A Marriage Voidable?

For the purposes of annulment in New York, there are two types of qualifying marriages. A void marriage is one that was never legitimate in the first place, such as a marriage entered into between persons who share too much of a blood relationship, such as siblings and some other relatives. … [Read more...] about What’s The Difference Between A “Void” Marriage And “Voidable” Marriage?