David Shapiro

New York is at the beginning of a sea change in its legal understanding of parenting, spearheaded in large part by same-sex families who are raising children. The growth of married families with children who have been adopted, conceived through sperm donation or surrogacy, or who were delivered … [Read more...] about Are Child Custody Matters Treated Differently In A Same-Sex Divorce?

Same-sex divorce in New York deals with the same issues that opposite-sex divorce deals with, and has the same requirements as well. So whether you married here or got married in another state before New York allowed it, you must still have been a resident of New York for a year before you can … [Read more...] about Are Gay Divorces Treated Any Differently Than Straight Ones?

For many couples, pets provided a stand-in for children while they built their careers, or when they just preferred to remain child-free. When a marriage dissolves, the status of a beloved dog, cat, or other pet can become contentious if you don’t negotiate thoughtfully with your spouse. One … [Read more...] about How Do We Negotiate Who Gets Our Pets?

Either parent can ask for a paternity test as part of a divorce, but there’s no guarantee that the court will agree to order one. New York law focuses on what is best for children, and over the years the legal standing on paternity issues has tilted in the direction of fathers being responsible … [Read more...] about Can I Ask For A Paternity Test As Part Of My Divorce?

We can help. When we work with individuals who fear for their safety, or that of their children, we know that the single most important element in the divorce is to protect you from an aggressive spouse. Being served with divorce papers can make a controlling abuser a truly dangerous person, so … [Read more...] about I Need An Order Of Protection Before I File For Divorce. Can You Help Me?