David Shapiro

Even in an uncontested divorce, it’s a good idea to have a lawyer available to answer your questions and review documents before they’re submitted to the judge. Many couples are invested in having as smooth a divorce as possible, and want to do everything they can to avoid an acrimonious divorce, … [Read more...] about Should I Hire A Lawyer For An Uncontested Divorce?

The difference between an uncontested divorce and contested one has everything to do with the spouses’ willingness and ability to talk about the issues before them and reach agreement. If you and your spouse aren’t talking, or if you believe your spouse intends to use the divorce process as a … [Read more...] about How Do I Know If My Divorce Will Be Contested?

Yes, pieces that have been added to your collection during the marriage are marital assets. Collections and similar groupings of prized objects can be a source great concern in a divorce, particularly if the collection has a high dollar value. Many divorce cases involving antiques, classic … [Read more...] about Is My Antique Collection, Which I’ve Added To During The Marriage, Subject To Division?

Constructive Emancipation occurs when a child refuses contact with a parent, usually the non-custodial parent. It is often a sign of parental alienation, and Family Court does allow Constructive Emancipation to be used to end a child support obligation on the part of the parent who is refused. … [Read more...] about What Is Constructive Emancipation?

If your former spouse is in the habit of discouraging your child from attending visitation, or encouraging your child to misbehave or treat you badly during visitation, you may well need help from a Family Court judge to straighten out the situation. The custody agreement you both signed … [Read more...] about What Do I Do When My Ex-Spouse Seems To Discourage My Child From Visiting?

If you lived far away from your child, your custody agreement may not have included a Right of First Refusal. With a Right of First Refusal clause, your former spouse agrees to ask you first in situations where they would otherwise hire a babysitter. If your current parenting arrangement is … [Read more...] about I’ve Moved Closer To My Ex-Spouse And Am Taking Care Of Our Child More. Do I Need To Modify My Custody Agreement?