David Shapiro

New York courts have a very limited set of circumstances under which they will enforce the rights of grandparents to maintain a relationship with grandchildren. The state applies a two part test when considering a grandparent’s petition for visitation. First, the court wants to evaluate the … [Read more...] about What Rights Do Grandparents Have When Couples Divorce?

Yes. In an uncontested divorce, the parties have agreed to the major elements of a divorce – maintenance arrangements, distribution of assets, child custody and support – and both spouses consent to the proceedings. What often happens is that a spouse will be served with papers, talk to a friend … [Read more...] about Can My Uncontested Divorce Become Contested?

No, a legal separation is not required to get a divorce in New York, although it is perfectly acceptable under New York law to legally separate, and ultimately file for divorce after one year apart. Prior to the introduction of no-fault divorce, a legal separation agreement was the only way … [Read more...] about Is A Legal Separation Required Before I Can Get A Divorce?

If you are an individual with property, cash, or assets whose disposition you want to direct regardless of the outcome of your marriage, then a prenuptial agreement is a tool to give you that control. Often, people entering into second or later marriages want to ensure that money and belongings … [Read more...] about Does A Prenuptial Agreement Protect Me In Queens County, NY?

Sometimes it’s clear that a trial is likely from the start of a divorce action, and other times we really can’t know until we’ve started the process. If you and your spouse have been talking productively about how to divide your possessions and what to do with big assets like houses and … [Read more...] about Will There Have To Be A Trial For My Divorce In Queens, NY?

If your spouse is refusing to connect you to the financial information you need to participate fully in your divorce, there are good odds that they’re trying to hide assets or income in order to produce a lower settlement obligation. If you’re out of practice with deciphering financial … [Read more...] about My Soon To Be Ex-Spouse In Queens Was In Charge Of The Bills And Won’t Give Me Access To Our Financial Information. What Do I Do?