Divorce Lawyer NY

We represent clients in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and the surrounding New York City area. Our goal is to protect your rights, minimize the impact of the process on you and your children, and guide you through each step with compassion and clear advice.

What we focus on

We concentrate on New York divorce and family law matters, including:

• Contested and uncontested divorce
• Child custody, visitation and access
• Child support
• Alimony and spousal support
• Property division
• Establishing paternity
• Prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• Enforcement and modification of existing court orders
• Orders of protection and related family law issues

How we work with clients

• We aim to establish a relationship based on trust, understanding and respect.
• We encourage clients to be partners in their case and to communicate openly with us.
• We handle the legal details so you can focus on your life and family.
• We provide personalized attention to each client and each case, whether straightforward or complex.

Consultation and contact details

• Phone (general): 718-769-6352
• Staten Island office phone: (718) 521-5247
• Brooklyn office phone: (718) 521-5246
• Email: shepelskylaw@gmail.com

Consultations are available by appointment. If you need to meet after normal business hours, you can ask when scheduling and the office will let you know what can be arranged.

For the most current information about our services or to request a consultation, please contact us by phone or email.

We assist clients with:

• Initial child custody determinations
• Parenting time, visitation and access schedules
• Modifying existing custody or visitation orders
• Cases involving relocation or changes in circumstances

We represent both mothers and fathers and have experience helping clients pursue custody, joint custody or expanded parenting time when appropriate.

How custody decisions are made

New York courts make custody decisions based on what the judge believes is in the best interests of the child. Factors can include the child's needs, each parent's ability to provide care, and the overall family situation.

In some cases, New York courts may consider the preference of older children (for example, teenagers), but the judge decides how much weight to give to that preference.

Decision-making authority

A key part of custody is who has authority to make important decisions about the child's life, such as:

• Education and schooling
• Medical and mental health care
• Religious upbringing
• Extracurricular activities and other major issues

Depending on the custody arrangement, one parent may have primary decision-making authority, or parents may share responsibility.

If you have questions about child custody or need representation in a custody dispute in Staten Island, Brooklyn or Queens, you can contact Divorce Lawyer NY for a consultation at 718-769-6352.

Divorce Lawyer NY helps clients through all stages of a New York divorce, from initial filing to final judgment. We handle both contested and uncontested divorces and focus on protecting your rights and financial interests.

Types of divorce we handle

• Uncontested divorce – where both spouses are able to agree on major issues such as property division, support and custody. This is often quicker and less stressful when it is truly agreed.
• Contested divorce – where there are disagreements about issues such as property, custody, support or other terms. These cases may involve negotiation, court conferences and, when necessary, trial.

Property division and financial issues

In New York divorces, marital assets must be divided fairly. Divorce Lawyer NY assists with:

• Identifying and valuing assets
• Dividing homes, vehicles and other significant property
• Dividing bank accounts, investments and other marital assets
• Addressing debts and financial responsibilities related to the marriage

Our goal is to help you negotiate a fair division of property and, when needed, present your case effectively in court.

Approach to divorce cases

• We explain the process and your options in clear language.
• We work to reduce unnecessary conflict where possible.
• We are prepared to litigate when negotiation is not enough.

To discuss a potential divorce or property division issue, you can contact the office to schedule a consultation at 718-769-6352.

Alimony (also called spousal support or maintenance) is financial support that one spouse may be ordered to pay the other during or after a divorce. The purpose is to help the receiving spouse maintain a reasonable standard of living while they work toward becoming self-supporting.

Alimony is not limited to one gender. Depending on the facts of the case, either a husband or a wife may be ordered to pay, or may be eligible to receive, spousal support.

Factors courts may consider

Before awarding alimony or spousal support, New York courts can consider many factors, which may include:

• The duration of the marriage
• Each spouse's income and earning potential
• Each spouse's physical health and ability to work
• Any reduced earning capacity resulting from time spent raising children or supporting the other spouse's career
• Contributions each spouse made to the marriage and family

Judges have discretion in how they weigh these and other relevant factors.

How we help with spousal support cases

Divorce Lawyer NY can assist with:

• Evaluating whether spousal support is likely to be an issue in your case
• Gathering and organizing financial information for the court
• Presenting arguments and documentation regarding the need for, or opposition to, alimony
• Addressing questions about the duration and amount of support

To discuss a potential alimony or spousal support issue in Staten Island, Brooklyn or Queens, you can contact Divorce Lawyer NY for a consultation at 718-769-6352.

In most cases, the parent who does not have primary physical custody of the child (the non-custodial parent) pays child support to the parent the child primarily lives with.

New York law provides guidelines for calculating child support. In general:

• The income of both parents is considered.
• A percentage of the combined parental income is allocated to child support, depending on the number of children.
• The non-custodial parent's share of that amount becomes the basic support obligation.

There are situations where the court may adjust the guideline amount, such as when:

• A child has special needs
• Combined parental income is above a specified statutory threshold
• There is significant income from sources other than regular employment

How we help

Divorce Lawyer NY assists clients with:

• Understanding potential child support obligations or entitlements under New York law
• Preparing income and financial documentation
• Presenting child support calculations to the court
• Seeking enforcement of support orders when payments are not made
• Requesting modifications when circumstances change

If you are dealing with divorce or an existing order and need to address child support in Staten Island, Brooklyn or Queens, you can contact the office to schedule a consultation at 718-769-6352.

• Prenuptial agreements are contracts signed before marriage that outline how certain financial matters and property would be handled if the marriage ends.
• Post-nuptial agreements are similar agreements entered into after a couple is already married.

Both types of agreements can be used to help protect current and future assets and to clarify financial expectations between spouses.

When people consider these agreements

Clients may consider a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement when:

• They are entering a first marriage with significant assets or business interests
• They are remarrying and want to protect assets or provide for children from a prior relationship
• They want to clarify how property and financial responsibilities would be addressed if a divorce occurs

How we help

Divorce Lawyer NY can:

• Explain what prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements can and cannot address under New York law
• Discuss whether such an agreement may be appropriate for your situation
• Draft or review proposed agreements
• Provide guidance on how these agreements relate to divorce and property division

To learn more or to start the process of preparing a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement, you can contact the office to schedule a consultation at 718-769-6352.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.