Kyra's Law, a bill that would require courts to prioritize the safety of children during custody proceedings, is being tweaked by lawmakers in talks with court officials. The bill was named after Kyra Franchetti, a 2-year-old girl who was killed by her father in 2016 after her mother lost custody of her in a bitter divorce.

The changes being sought to Kyra's Law include requiring judges to receive specific training on domestic violence, child abuse, and child sex abuse, and mandating that courts hold early evidentiary hearings when there are allegations of abuse or domestic violence. 

Kyra's Law has strong bipartisan backing, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle focusing on action to prevent child abuse and related homicides. Officials within the state court system say the bill needs some work before it advances in the Legislature this session.

Read more about the changes being sought to Kyra's Law and how you can help protect children during custody battles.

Going through a divorce can be a difficult and draining experience. Besides emotional turmoil, there are many practical matters that you need to address. Such as dividing assets and debts, and determining child support and alimony.

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a divorce is to get your finances in order. This means gathering your financial documents, tracking your spending, and creating a budget.

You also need to be aware of your rights and options, and consult with an attorney if necessary. 

By taking time to prepare your finances for divorce, you can make the process run smoother. Doing this will also help protect your financial interests.

Here are 7 Ways to Ready Your Finances for Divorce.

In 2016, New York's highest Court, ruled that parents must be allowed to present evidence in their defense, before losing custody of their child(ren). But in the years since, some lower Courts have ignored that ruling, restricting parents' rights to see their kids, without giving them the opportunity to present evidence in their own defense.

This is a serious problem, because it means that parents are being deprived of their right to due process. It also means that children are being taken away from their parents without good cause.

This article looks into several cases in regards to the 2016 ruling, the impact that this ruling is having on parents and children, and the problem of lower Courts, often ignoring it.

We hope that by sharing this article, it will help raise awareness of this important issue and encourage lower Courts to comply with the 2016 ruling

SupportPay, a leading provider of child support and alimony management software, announced that it will be offering a free employee benefit to help working parents struggling with life after divorce or separation. The benefit, which will be available to all SupportPay employees, will provide access to a team of experts who can help with everything from managing finances to co-parenting.

The announcement comes after a recent study by the Pew Research Center found that the number of divorces in the United States has increased by 50% since 1990. The study also found that the number of children living with single parents has increased by 20% in the same time period.

In addition to obtaining a team of experts who can help with everything from managing finances to co-parenting, the team will also provide support groups and other resources to help employees cope with the emotional challenges of divorce.

Read more about this unique benefit.

The decision to get a divorce is an important one, and should not be taken lightly. Make an assessment of the pros and cons carefully and understand the potential ramifications of your decision. Talk to trusted friends and advisors, as well as a professional who is experienced in divorce and family law.

If divorce is necessary, make sure you understand the financial, legal, and emotional costs associated with it. Remember that divorce is rarely easy. But with proper preparation and an understanding of the issues, you may be better able to handle the situation.

While there's no universal answer, divorcing may be an appropriate solution for couples when there is a lack of mutual respect, trust, or communication.

Additionally, there may be evidence of physical or emotional abuse, infidelity, or financial strain that can make a marriage untenable. Of course, if either partner has made a lifestyle change or is exhibiting extremely conflicting values, then divorce might be the best route to take.

Should you consider divorce? These 16 signs could give you insight to making a decision.

Starting over with a divorce registry is an excellent way for the community of family and friends to come together and assist a loved one who is starting over after a divorce. It can provide items and services to help a person transition into their new home and their new life. This could include everything from kitchenware to financial literacy classes.

It can also act as a much-needed support system for a person beginning the long process of moving on after the end of a marriage. The registry is meant to be a source of connection for someone starting over, to help them find the strength and courage to rebuild their life, and their new home.

Find out how a divorce registry can help make a fresh start a little easier.

Divorce is an unfortunate, yet common part of life for many couples. Even though it can be difficult to go through, divorcing couples should know that there is a range of options available to them to help make the process easier and more efficient.

Though all divorces involve the same legal procedures, there are various routes to take depending on the situation.

For example, arbitration or mediation can sometimes be used to come to an agreement outside of court. Another form is collaborative divorce, which is informal and comes with the added benefit of no long drawn out court cases.

Ultimately, it is important that divorcing couples are aware of the alternatives and understand that different types of divorce will suit different situations.

Here's a guide to four common types of divorce.

Valentine's Day 2023 is sure to be a memorable one for couples and galentines alike! There are plenty of fun events around New York City to experience and cozy up to. From unique restaurants to romantic overnight stays and even dances and theater, there is something for every couple to enjoy.

Couples have the option to experience the city at night, unwind at day spas, or take a stroll through one of New York's famed parks. On the other hand, valentines can show their love and appreciation with movie dates, spa packages, and art classes.

Whether it's enjoying a Broadway show, indulging in delicious desserts, or attending a wine tasting, the possibilities are truly endless!

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are some great events to choose from.

For many clients, a divorce is a difficult and emotional process. Lawyers need to be able to provide helpful tips for a financially fair settlement.

First and foremost, clients should document any financial transactions between the two parties, in detail. Clear communication is key to understanding the financial hurdles divorce can bring.

Additionally, clients should make sure their expenses are up to date and that distribution of their marital assets is a priority during the action. Once all terms between the parties are negotiated and agreed upon, it is important to confirm the settlement agreement accurately reflects this. And to discuss said terms with their attorney to ensure that they are legally binding.

Lawyers should offer their clients this helpful advice to make certain their divorce settlement is fair and beneficial to both parties.

Here are 8 Tips for a Financially Fair Divorce Settlement for Your Clients

Divorce is a difficult and stressful process and having a good attorney by your side can make all the difference. If you are considering a divorce, or are already going through one, an attorney can be a valuable source of not only knowledge, but also support, throughout the entire divorce process.

A qualified attorney can help guide you through the legal aspects of the divorce action, including filing paperwork, negotiating your settlement, and ensuring that child custody, child support, and other financial obligations are addressed. An attorney can also provide support with preparation for all Court appearances, and can ensure that all of your rights and interests are being properly represented, and more importantly, protected, throughout the process. An experienced divorce attorney can provide the expertise, skills, and knowledge to support you in navigating through what can be a complex and emotionally draining process.

With the help of an experienced divorce attorney, one who is not only knowledgeable, but also compassionate, you can more-easily navigate the divorce process and emerge from it with a favorable outcome.

Read 7 ways an attorney can help you when going through a divorce.

After a divorce, navigating the complications of matrimonial law, such as child custody arrangements, can be stressful.

Planning a vacation away from home doesn't have to be as arduous. With some thoughtful preparation and an understanding of the issues at hand, it is possible to enjoy a stress-free vacation experience post-divorce.

Ensuring that all the necessary documentation is in place for the child custody agreement is the most important task. After that, the parent can focus on the lesser, but still important tasks such as booking flights, securing hotel reservations, and even finding fun activities for the days out of the house.

Doing the research ahead of time, leaving ample flexibility in the timetable, and keeping an open mind will help the whole family make the most of a post-divorce vacation.

Here are 7 ways to prepare for a family vacation after divorce.

Often times, parties don’t realize how important it is to include a family pet in a Prenuptial Agreement. Doing this will spell-out what should happen to the family pet should the couple divorce. The agreement should address who will be the primary caretaker, and who will be responsible for the pet, as a legal guardian.

Both parties should agree beforehand on this arrangement. This will ensure the pet is not placed in an unfavorable position. It would be helpful for the parties to also agree regarding how to handle any pet remains, and whose care they should remain in.

Some other ideas are to reach an agreement on who will be responsible for the pet's care if the pet remains with one partner. Account for any specific medical needs the pet has or medical bills, should they arise. Or if the pet is on a specific diet. You should document this information in the Prenuptial Agreement as well. It can prevent confusion or miscommunication down the road. 

The agreement should also include a directive in the event of sudden illness, death, and/or regarding other unexpected events. One of the best ways to avoid situations like this, is for couples to include clauses about pet custody in their Prenuptial Agreements. 

It's important to bear in mind that while Prenup Agreements are legally binding, the Courts may still deem your four-legged family member to be viewed as “personal property.” Thus, making what was once a multi-page pet custody agreement, unenforceable in the eyes of a Court. 

Read more about Pets and Prenups.

As more and more couples are choosing to have children later in life, the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has become increasingly common. It's a process that many partners rely on to conceive a child.

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about making in vitro fertilization illegal. There is a new bill being proposed in the Senate that could make in vitro fertilization illegal. Proponents of the bill say that "it is needed to protect unborn children", while opponents argue that "it would interfere with a woman's right to choose". Some people believe that it's morally wrong, while others think that the government should not be paying for it.

No matter what your opinion is, it's an important topic to discuss. It's a question on the minds of many parents-to-be: will in vitro fertilization be illegal in the future? Some experts say that it's only a matter of time before lawmakers clamp down on the procedure.

So what would this mean for families who rely on IVF to conceive? And is it really even possible to outlaw a medical procedure like IVF?

Read this article about the fertility industry's future.

Custody cases are often difficult, both for parents and for children. When one parent is considered “unfit”, it can have adverse effects on the other. As was the case for Kenneth Watkins. A new father, excited to start-off parenthood on the right foot, he suddenly and surprisingly found himself in a struggle with ACS, New York City’s child-welfare agency, brought on by the fraught history of the newborn's mother.

What ensued over the next 2 years, were unjust assumptions and baseless circumstances due to a flawed social services system. Appearances in family court, door knocks from social services, supervised visits at his child's foster parents' home, and a battery of undergoing psychological evaluations, were events that Kenneth had to endure for the chance to get his little boy back in his arms again. 

It can be an agonizing process for a father trying to obtain custody rights of his young child after years of being denied access.

Despite encountering many roadblocks along the way, he never gave up hope that he would be able to reunite with his young son. With unwavering determination, commitment, and love for his son, he was finally able to win back custody and begin to create a life with his son that he could never have imagined.

This is the story of one father's struggle to regain custody of his son.

The New York family court system can be more than a little daunting for divorcing parents. Especially in bitter child custody situations. All too often, custody battles result in children being turned into pawns by their parents.   

Reforms are desperately needed, and one Long Island mom is leading the charge. Jacqueline Franchetti's abusive husband murdered their 2-year old daughter Kyra, during a court-sanctioned visit.

Jacqueline's mission is to protect children at risk of domestic violence. She's seeking bi-partisan support to make Kyra's Law and other child safety bills top legislative priority.

Read more here.

When facing divorce or custody issues, law clients may be in denial about the gravity and reality that their case presents.

They may have convinced themselves that the dilemma underlying the case is not real. This type of thinking can lead to a person to derailing their own case.

By facing facts and taking charge of the situation, they can set themselves up for success.

This article provides 10 strategies to help coax clients in denial back to reality.

Another dimension is added to child custody family court cases as new developments arise about the COVID-19 vaccine, testing, masking, and suggested protocols, including school procedures.

Divorcing parents may have opposing positions on whether or not they want their children to receive the vaccine or recommended boosters.  Even parents who previously got along developed different approaches to caring for the children during the pandemic.

The article below, discusses the disputes, practical considerations and guideline changes.

Parent-child vaccination issues.

Ending a marriage is very difficult. You're grieving the loss of a relationship, at which point you may feel as if you can't go on. It’s important to know that it is okay to feel overwhelmed, scared, and uncertain about your future, during this time.

However, divorce can also be an opportunity for growth. With time, effort and self-care, you can emerge stronger than before, with the opportunity to rebuild this next chapter in your life, into something even better than what you had before!

The article below, provides 12 Tips on to How to Learn to Start Anew Post-Divorce.

Life after divorce.

Divorce can undoubtedly be a difficult process, both emotionally and financially. One of the biggest financial concerns for any spouse going through a divorce, is the issue of spousal support, which in New York State is referred to as “spousal maintenance.”

Many divorcing couples, however, are unaware of the fact that spousal support is no longer permitted as a tax deductible to the payor-spouse, on their Tax Returns, due to new Federal law(s) in place.

This may come as a surprise to some, especially since spousal support payments are counted as income and are factored into child support determinations. However, the IRS has deemed spousal support payments to be no longer a tax deductible, and the question now is then whether New York State’s Domestic Relation Law(s) will also be amended in response to this modification in Federal law.

To date, New York State has not revised its formula to account for this change. Should the New York State Spousal Maintenance Guidelines be amended? That is simply a question up for major debate at this time.

This article will examine what, if anything, should be done regarding this change.

In our ever-changing society, transgender children are becoming more and more common. During a child’s lifetime, there comes a point in time when they will need and/or want to make a decision whether to undergo certain elective medical procedures to either partially or completely transition themselves physically, into the sex they feel connected with. Apart from the utter importance of making this initial decision(s), is the financial component involved in signing up for these costly procedures. Specifically, undergoing one or multiple transgender procedures can cost a person thousands upon thousands of dollars, which health insurance likely will not/does not cover as these procedures fall under the “elective procedure” category.

Under New York Domestic Relations Law(s), both parents are responsible for their pro-rata financial share of any and all uncovered and/or unreimbursed medical expenses incurred by their child/children until the age of 21. The statute requires parents use in-network medical providers, unless under emergency circumstances.

However, the New York laws do not provide for either parent’s financial obligation towards a child’s elective surgery/medical procedure for any purposes, whatsoever. Indeed, while a child and/or adult-child may wish to undergo certain elective surgical procedures for a variety of reasons, the particular area of transgender elective procedures, is uncharted territory to date under New York’s Domestic Relation Law(s). In some ways, such a procedure or series of procedures may be deemed necessary in regards to a child’s mental health. As such, the question then becomes whether or not a parent may be permitted to deny their child and/or adult-child, the financial support necessary towards

such a life-changing and vital medical procedure, especially when such procedure(s) are not covered under the child’s current health insurance plan.

This question becomes even more murky, when one or both parents do not agree with their child’s decision to become transgender. In those instances, it is arguably even more unlikely that a parent or both parents, will voluntarily financially contribute to their child’s elective procedure(s), and/or feel that the law should obligate them to be financially responsible to any extent of a procedure they disapprove of.

Moreover, without further guidance on this specific issue under the law, parents are forced to battle both inside and outside of Court regarding whether or not one or both parents will voluntarily agree to be financially responsible for this add-on expense.

For more on this subject, read the following linked article, Child Custody’s Gender Gauntlet, courtesy of Abigail Shrier, City-Journal.org.

Bill passes both houses of Legislature and awaits the governor's action.

By a unanimous vote, the state Senate passed the bill raising standards to be a "forensic evaluator" providing paid expertise in Family Court cases.

The bill would require forensic evaluators to be licensed New York psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers — a mandate that had not uniformly existed across the state.

The bill is the first among a package seeking to increase child safety in Family Court that has passed both the Senate and the Assembly.

This groundbreaking bill will provide immense protections for those conceived through donor conception.

Many recipients are surprised to learn that most sperm banks do not verify the information provided by donors, but take them at their word. 

As with any new proposals, there are pros and cons from both recipients and reproductive tissue banks.

If passed, it would add into state law a duty for reproductive tissue banks to collect and verify medical, educational, and criminal background information for all donors.

As of October, 2021, New York State has joined 40 other states in extending a parent’s obligation to pay child support past the age of 21 years old for adult-children with special needs.

Indeed, New York now marks the 41st State that has joined in this legislation, taking into account the considerable ongoing expenses that a parent/parents incur as a result of an adult-child’s special needs.

New York State has modified its child support law(s) pertaining to adult-children with special needs.

Prior to this new enactment, a parent was only obligated to pay child support up until the age of 21 years old, despite circumstances such as adult-children with special needs.

This lack of extension for special circumstances such as this, typically left one parent as the sole financial provider for any and all expenses incurred as a result of their child’s special needs after the age of 21.

New York's Child Support Modification for Children with Special Needs.

This new law permits a custodial parent to petition the Family Court for an extension of child support for children with developmental disabilities. See Domestic Relations Law Section 240(d); Family Court Act Section 413(b).

A custodial parent and/or caregiver of a developmentally disabled child and whom the child is principally dependent on, including, but not limited to, residing with, may seek this said extension from the Court. 

Child Support Extension for Children with Special Needs

Specifically, the child/adult-child must be diagnosed by a medical professional with a developmental disability.

A “developmental disability,” is as defined by the Mental Health Law, which includes, but is not limited to, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities.

The disability must: (1) have originated before the child became 22 years old; (2) have continued, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely; and (3) constitutes a substantial handicap to the child’s ability to function normally in society. See, Mental Health Law §1.03 (22).

Thus, if a support Order is already in effect, this law allows a parent to petition the Court for a modification of the current child support order.

If an Order is not currently in place, this law permits a parent/guardian to either stipulate and/or receive an Order from the Court granting this extension of support.

 Enjoy this re-post of my published article in FamilyLawyerMagazine.com

Running a law firm remotely during COVID-19 has its fair share of challenges. My best advice for riding out the pandemic is to embrace this new reality and work on adjusting both your personal mindset and business practices to evolve with it.

Although my firm was not specifically prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, we were certainly prepared to have full functioning capabilities while working remotely. My firm was initially set up with remote capabilities so that I would be able to access my client files, work on documents and administrative data like billing, even when not in the office. This is an integral part of my practice. In family law, issues come up that are not on a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule – in fact, family law, custody, and visitation issues come up most often on holidays and weekends, so full access to my files was imperative even before the pandemic. This insight made for a seamless transition from working in the office to working from home.

Having a great IT support team is essential as things go wrong and tech support must be available to keep the practice running.

Running a Law Firm Remotely During COVID-19 Requires a New Set of Rules

As a sole practitioner, there is a certain efficiency and ease in not having to worry about communicating with others to get critical work done. While delegating responsibility and having a team is always helpful when running a business, at times like this, I find being able to complete my work tasks on my time in my way is more efficient.

In terms of sending and/or receiving essential paperwork during this pandemic, technology has allowed me to convert most, if not all, of my documents from Word to a PDF document. Once the document has been converted to a PDF, I am then able to email the PDF directly to clients or to other attorneys without the concern of the document being altered or modified from the original format. There are always documents that need original signatures and that cannot be avoided, but accommodations are made to get this done as well.

Working remotely has come with a new set of rules to adapt to, but communicating with my clients via email has always been the main avenue of communication for my office. Since many of my clients work full-time and do not wish to have personal conversations regarding their family, finances, and home-life in front of their colleagues, email has been a way around this obstacle. During lockdown – especially for those spending it with a soon-to-be-ex-spouse – my clients are able to contact and/or respond to me via password-protected email without having to speak out loud in front of their spouse or children.

Social media has also become key to accessing information not typically transmitted in this informal matter. For example, I have joined several Facebook groups that have been created for the purpose of keeping matrimonial/family lawyers informed of any Court updates in New York. These groups also have many sub-groups, creating access to information that pertains to only specific counties in New York State. Judges who have joined these Facebook groups have been wonderful at sharing information regarding both their specific Part’s guidelines as well as the Court system as a whole, which helps to keep us up with new rules and regulations going into effect.

As a sole practitioner, I have been extremely fortunate to have developed many close relationships amongst my colleagues. Some of whom are also sole practitioners like myself, and some who work for larger firms. I have found that the family law community as a whole has been remarkable during this confusing time. Everyone is always reaching out to others whether it be by webinar, Zoom, Facebook, texts, or emails to make sure everyone is informed of all updates in effect.

Running a Law Firm Remotely During COVID-19: Challenges and Work-Arounds

Running my law firm remotely, while seemingly easy, also has its fair share of challenges. While I do make an effort to scan and electronically save almost all of the documents in my client files, there are certain voluminous items which remain in hard-copy form in the client’s physical file. While working from home, there are often situations when information is needed from these documents, and not having the physical file presents an issue with obtaining it. Thankfully, I have found that adversaries and clients are all being understanding and are willing to work with me to provide the information I may not have saved on a client’s virtual file.

As I maintain a business Facebook account, I have also found it helpful to post articles that affect my clients during this time. It is no surprise that being quarantined with your spouse/partner and/or children can be challenging. In many two-earner households, this is a new world spending all this “mandatory” with their families. There have been so many wonderful articles posted online specifically dealing with co-parenting during quarantine and cohabitating with your spouse or soon to be ex-spouse. I find it very helpful to post a link to these articles on my business Facebook page so that clients may take advantage of helpful advice and seeing that their problem is not unique in these unprecedented times.

My best advice for riding out the pandemic is to embrace this new reality and work on adjusting both your personal mindset and business practices to evolve with it. It is very nerve-wracking for someone to go from working long hour days to having all of this free time they never had before. Part of you wants to embrace the calm and enjoy the little things such as time with your family, hobbies you may not have had time for and of course, the outdoors. On the other hand, there is a natural level of anxiety in navigating this new “normal”. The best way to handle getting through this pandemic is balance. Balance is key. You must keep yourself in check and tell yourself that it is ok to enjoy downtime while also maintaining contact with your clients and colleagues to handle necessary business matters at this time.

As of late April, I personally had not witnessed an increase or decrease in the number of custody matters because of COVID-19. What I have seen, however, is many parents dealing with issues of co-parenting while being quarantined. Unfortunately, while the hope is that parents will work together for the benefit of the children during this scary time, many parents are using the pandemic as an excuse to further their personal agenda. It is disheartening to see parents refusing to cooperate with parenting schedules previously agreed upon and using the pandemic as their reasoning for same. While there are of course certain cases where one parent’s home may be more suitable for the child during quarantine, many people are using this only as an excuse to both gain more time with the children, and to prevent the other parents from having their fair access.

I have seen an increase in the number of divorce-related inquiries since the pandemic began, which I think it makes perfect sense. As stated previously, while there are many families fortunate enough to use this time as a gift, where they can spend more time together with their families, catching up on family activities they may not have otherwise had time to partake in because of work, other couples and families are experiencing severe strains on their relationships which is leading them to debate filing for a divorce. Being under quarantine requires you to become reacquainted with your spouse, and unfortunately, many couples are seeing that they themselves or their spouse have become very different over time, resulting in a lack of commonalities between them. Many women have even found that their husbands are not very in tuned with their children’s lives and in fact, some women claim their husbands don’t know their children at all. This stark reality has really hit people hard and might be the last straw that pushes them to file for divorce.

Prepare to Hit the Ground Running Post-COVID-19

Given the fact that this pandemic and ultimate quarantine is forcing many couples to re-evaluate their marriages and financial circumstances, my best advice is to prepare to hit the ground running once this crisis ends and make myself available to anyone in need of advice at this time. Courts are not open for the filing of any divorce actions at this time, but clients can still retain you and the papers can all be drafted, completed and signed so that when the clerk’s office does re-open papers will be ready to be in-line for the first round of new filings.

Lauren F. Riesenfeld Law, P.C. is a boutique Long Island Divorce/Family and Criminal law firm. Located in Plainview, New York, we represent clients in complex issues involving matrimonial and family law cases, and criminal defense matters for clients who are charged with misdemeanor and/or felony offenses. 

Compassion, Integrity and Zealous Advocacy are the hallmarks of LFR Law, P.C., and we pride ourselves on our outstanding communication which keeps clients informed of the day-to-day issues pertaining to their respective case. Our legal team will call you back and keep you abreast of your legal matter, offering high-quality service, that is not only our policy but our passion.

I am a top attorney and president of the law firm, and I specialize in Matrimonial, Family and Criminal Law. I represent clients through all stages of criminal defense from arraignment to trial. I also represent clients facing serious felony charges, misdemeanor charges as well as violations. I have also represented clients in the areas of Real Estate Law, Appeals, and Guardianship Proceedings.

I am best known for my shrewd litigation skills that encompass a unique combination of compassion, integrity and aggressiveness. I understand what my clients are going through when they are faced with matrimonial and family law issues. As a defense attorney I will use my expertise in criminal law, being a strong advocate for you if you have been accused of a crime. I will be in your corner to protect your future, your reputation, and your family. I am able to assess each case’s facts and circumstances in order to provide the best possible legal strategy for my clients. 

This, coupled with strong client relationships, is what makes LFR Law, P.C. the right firm for anyone going through a difficult divorce, custody, child support, father’s rights, adoption, grandparent’s rights or criminal matters.

My prior experience as a junior accountant enables me to represent clients in matters that involve complex financial and tax issues that so often accompany divorce and custody litigation. Hiring an attorney with such expertise results in cost-effective representation that yields outstanding results for clients.

I pride myself on maintaining client relations, unmatched by any of my competitors. I strive to develop close relationships with my clients, fostering trust and confidence in my ability to protect their interests and the interests of their child(ren). I was humbled and honored to be recognized for my efforts by the Avvo’s client’s choice award for both 2016 and 2017. In addition, I was named top ten female family law attorney for 2017 by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. I also received recognition as a 2017 Rising Star in the field of Criminal Law by the American Institute of Legal Advocates, Top 10 Family Law Attorneys for 2019 by The Attorney & Practice Magazine, and am included in the Top Attorneys of North America 2019 edition of The Who's Who Directories.

I am a member of the New York State Bar Association, Family Law Chapter, Suffolk County Bar Association and am admitted to practice law before the United States District Court for the Eastern District. I am also a member of the National Association of Divorce Professionals. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and attended the University of San Diego School of Law program in Barcelona where I studied International Criminal Law.

If you're looking for compassion, integrity and zealous advocacy, you've come to the right place.