Family Law

New York City Family Law Attorneys

Helping Clients Fight for Their Family Rights

At Cohen Forman Barone, PC, we understand that whether you have just decided to start the divorce process or are fighting to get your children back, you are going through the most challenging time of your life. More than ever, you need aggressive and experienced New York City family lawyers fighting for you.

Fortunately, you can trust the team at Cohen Forman Barone, PC, to provide you with the highest quality legal representation and advocacy when dealing with issues of divorce, child custody, child support, orders of protection, and other related family court and matrimonial matters.

We’ll take the time to listen to you so we understand your story and know what your goals are. We’ll then align our legal services with your needs and goals so you can walk away with the best outcome possible. We promise to be strong allies in your corner despite any obstacles that might arise.

If you need help with a divorce, child support dispute, court order modification, or other family law matters, you can count on Cohen Forman Barone, PC. Call us now or contact our firm online to schedule a consultation with our NYC family law attorneys from Cohen Forman Barone.

When Should I Hire a Family Law Attorney in NYC?

Although it’s not required for you to hire a lawyer for your family matters, seeking the assistance of a New York City family law attorney may be in the best interest of your family and children. They can provide insight and guidance through the legal process, laws, and regulations that come with dealing with complicated family matters (jurisdiction, divorce, child custody, child support, and more).

Knowing when to hire a family lawyer in NYC can be a difficult decision, but if you are facing a family law issue, it’s probably time to discuss it with a legal professional so that they can work to protect your family’s rights and ensure a fair resolution.

What Makes Your Law Firm Different?

Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in family law issues. These matters may impact you and your relationships for the rest of your life, so it is critical to hire an experienced New York attorney like those at our law firm.

You can count on Cohen Forman Barone, PC, to always be your prepared and effective advocate in court. Mindful of the delicate nature of matrimonial and family-related cases, the attorneys at Cohen Forman Barone, PC work with clients to first determine whether negotiation outside of court would be an effective means towards achieving your goals and whether your spouse or adversary intends to negotiate in good faith.

If it appears that negotiations would yield a favorable result, we work carefully and thoroughly with you to prepare your case for a four-way conference with your spouse and their attorney.

During this process, we will establish a framework for a settlement. In the event your spouse cannot or will not negotiate in good faith, we are always prepared to fight for you in court. We will ensure that you are fully prepared so that together, we achieve your goals.

Will My Case be Heard in the Supreme Court or the Family Court?

In New York, the Family Court and the Supreme Court have concurrent jurisdiction over child custody and child support matters. If you are married and going through a divorce, it is more likely that your matter will be heard in the Supreme Court. However, the Family Court can determine issues of child custody first, and then the Supreme Court may hear your divorce matter later. This determination of the proper forum for your case will be made at your initial consultation with Cohen Forman Barone and is also a strategic decision made with your legal team.

The most common issues that the Court addresses include:

  • Spousal support – New York has two types of spousal maintenance: rehabilitative and permanent. Rehabilitative maintenance is designed to give financial assistance to ex-spouses to help them transition from being dependent on their partners to being self-sufficient. This type lasts for a specific duration, usually short-term. Traditional permanent maintenance is when the receiving ex-spouse gets regular payments indefinitely. To determine whether alimony is necessary and appropriate in a given situation, factors such as the length of marriage, earning potential, and lifestyle are taken into consideration
  • Child custody – Parents are encouraged to come to a mutual agreement regarding custody and visitation, but if they cannot agree, the court will make a decision based on the best interests of the child. Some factors that are taken into account include the child’s age, health, and educational needs, and each parent’s ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment. Custody arrangements can vary from joint custody to sole custody, and visitation can be supervised or unsupervised
  • Child support – A crucial component of divorce is ensuring the financial stability of children whose parents are no longer together. When a court grants custody to one parent, the other parent is typically required to pay child support, which is calculated based on a variety of factors, including a New York statutory formula, combined parental income, and necessary expenses
  • Asset Valuation and Division
  • Impact of Domestic violence on your matter
  • Pre/post-nuptial agreements – Prenups are agreements made before marriage that outline the distribution of assets and liabilities if the marriage ends. Postnups are made during the marriage and serve a similar purpose
  • Family-based immigration – This type of immigration allows U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to permanently bring certain family members to live with them in the United States. This program helps reunite families who are separated by borders and allows them to build a new life together

What Happens in Family Court in NY?

Once a case is filed in family court, the parties are usually required to attend a series of hearings and conferences to resolve the issues in dispute. The hearings may be conducted in front of a judge or possibly a court referee, who is a court-appointed attorney with family law expertise.

In the hearings, both sides have an opportunity to present their position with evidence and arguments. Based on the evidence presented, coupled with the applicable laws and regulations in New York, the judge will make a final decision. The parties may be able to reach a settlement agreement outside of the court through mediation or negotiation. If such an agreement is reached, it must be presented to the judge for approval. In the NY family law court, the goal is to protect the children and families’ best interests, along with providing a fair and just resolution.

Going to court can be stressful, even if it’s not your first time. You can rely on our New York family lawyers to provide guidance and emotional support at every step of the court process. We deeply understand the family court system and know how to get the best results for our clients. When you hire us, you’ll get legal counsel and representation based on decades of experience, so call today!

What Is Your Law Firm’s Approach With Your Clients?

Another critical aspect of choosing a family law lawyer is knowing how they interact with clients. Please rest assured that when you come to Cohen Forman Barone, PC, you are more than just a case number. We treat all of our clients with respect, dignity, and compassion.

At Cohen Forman Barone, our NYC family law attorneys take pride in fully preparing our clients. We assure you that you will be informed of and prepared for all court developments, including settlement opportunities, as we take your matter through the litigation process.

We are here to inform you of your rights, advise you as to how to proceed with your legal issues, and ascertain the best course to accomplish your objectives. It is imperative that you retain a competent and experienced NYC family lawyer early to ensure the protection of your interests.

We also care about giving you the emotional support you need at this difficult time. Whatever issues you are facing, let us help you overcome them. Contact us now for a confidential consultation.

What Are the Steps for Getting a Divorce in New York City?

A divorce in New York can be complicated, but you can get through it with the help of trusted family lawyers like those at Cohen Forman Barone, PC. We’ll walk you through each step so everything goes as smoothly as possible and gets resolved as quickly as possible.

The following are some of the main steps in getting a divorce in NYC:

  • Determine eligibility – New York laws require that the married couple have a registered marriage in New York, be residing in New York, or have the grounds for divorce occur in New York
  • Determine grounds of divorce – You may next choose the grounds for the divorce, which can be a number of reasons. One option is to select a no-fault divorce, also known as an irretrievable breakdown. Other fault-based divorces include physical or mental abuse, abandonment, and adultery
  • File for the divorce – With the help of your divorce law attorney, you can file the proper paperwork to start the divorce
  • Serve your spouse – You can serve your spouse by sending the papers with a third party, delivering them yourself, or using other methods if you don’t know where your spouse is. Your lawyer can be a valuable asset during this step
  • Resolve issues, including going to trial – You’ll need to come to a conclusion on various aspects of ending your marriage, including child support, child custody, spousal maintenance, asset division, and other family law issues. If you and your spouse can’t come to an agreement, a judge may provide a court order
  • Finalize the divorce – When the judge makes a final decision in your divorce, the divorce will be finalized

This process can be complex and frustrating. If divorce disputes arise, you’ll want a legal representative on your side who will fight for your rights. Call our law offices today for help navigating your New York divorce.

What Other Legal Matters Does Your Law Firm Handle?

Our New York attorneys handle more than family law cases. We are your one-stop law firm for criminal defense, family law, and immigration issues. Our unique skills in each of these practice areas help us address clients’ needs. Often, one case will involve several areas of law, and this is where our talented attorneys shine.

Some examples of the many legal cases we handle include:

  • Criminal defense
  • Post-conviction relief
  • Violent crime defense, including murder, rape, kidnapping, and assault
  • Sex crimes defense, including child pornography, statutory rape, and sexual assault
  • Drug crimes defense, including possession and trafficking
  • Domestic violence defense
  • DUI defense
  • Immigration law
  • Green cards
  • Crimmigration

Our divorce lawyers are ready and waiting to address the legal issue you’re going through. We base our legal practice on honesty, compassion, and dedication to our clients, which shows in our impressive track record. Our unique focus on the areas of criminal, family, and immigration law gives you unique benefits that you won’t see at any other law firm. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!

Should You Hire Our New York City Family Law Attorneys?

At Cohen Forman Barone, PC, we understand that legal matters can be complex and overwhelming. That’s why our team of highly skilled attorneys is dedicated to providing experienced legal representation for a wide range of cases. Our New York City family law firm has the knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the legal process.

Why choose us for your legal needs:

  • Extensive experience: With years of experience in various areas of law, our attorneys have a deep understanding of the legal system and can provide effective strategies tailored to your specific case
  • Personalized attention: We believe in building strong relationships with our clients. When you choose us, you can expect personalized attention and regular communication throughout the entire legal process
  • Proven track record: Our law firm has a proven track record of success, with numerous favorable settlements and courtroom victories. We are committed to fighting for the best possible outcome for our clients
  • Comprehensive services: From negotiation and mediation to litigation and appeals, we offer comprehensive legal services to meet all your needs. Our team is equipped to handle even the most complex cases
  • Client-focused approach: We prioritize the needs and goals of our clients. Our NYC family law attorneys will take the time to understand your unique situation and develop a customized legal strategy that aligns with your objectives

When you’re facing a family legal challenge, including contested divorce, uncontested divorce, child abuse, child support, or any other critical matter, you need a law firm that you can trust. Contact Cohen Forman Barone, PC today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can assist you with your legal needs.