Areas of Practice
We understand that divorce and family court matters can be difficult and contentious. That’s why we provide compassionate, attentive legal services to our clients at each stage of their legal journey.
Our firm handles family law concerns such as:
- Child custody: Child custody arrangements can be divided into two distinct types: legal and physical. Legal custody refers to the right to make decisions relating to the welfare of the child, such as their schooling; physical custody deals with which parent’s home the child lives in. If a custody dispute arises, our team is here to fight for the best interests of your child and yourself.
- Child support: Under New York law, the non-custodial parent must send support payments to the custodial parent. These payments are usually calculated using the combined gross income of the parents and the number of children involved. The courts require each parent to prepare a Statement of Net Worth. Our attorneys can help you with this sometimes confusing document.
- Enforcement and modification: Refusal to comply with a court order relating to child support or custody can subject a parent to substantial legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. If the other parent has flouted a court order of this nature, contact us immediately so we can help. We also handle modifications of child support provisions and custody order for parents whose financial circumstances have changed dramatically since the divorce decree and/or where there have been substantial changes in circumstances affecting the best interests of the children.
- Orders of protection: In New York State, both the family court and the Supreme Court have the authority to issue an order of protection to restrain a violent or potentially violent spouse or related person as defined by the statute. Terms of these orders may include requiring the abusive parent to move out of the home or to stay away from the children. Contact us right away if you believe you may need an order of protection.
- Adoption: For many couples, adopting a child is their pathway to forming a family. There are a variety of legal issues associated with adoption, however, and you need help to ensure that the process plays out as smoothly as possible. Feel free to contact our Suffolk family law attorneys for experienced counsel regarding this area of law.
- Child visitation: Allowing a non-custodial parent to visit their children according to a court-approved schedule can be an important step in promoting the healing process for a family where the parents have separated. Sometimes, however, visitation is a contentious issue that requires court intervention. Our legal team can help you with your child visitation issues to bring about the best possible outcome for you and your children.
- Child relocation: Managing physical custody of children is often one of the most contentious issues for separating or divorcing parents. Matters can get even more acrimonious when the custodial parent wishes to relocate to another region without the approval of the other parent. Our family law attorneys in Suffolk County can aid you in sorting out this thorny issue.
- Domestic violence: At MONTEFUSCO | PAMMER, we understand that domestic violence is a serious matter. Victims of domestic violence in New York have the option of pursuing justice in family court as well as criminal court. Please contact us if you believe you are in need of a family court order of protection from a current or former member of your household.
Family Court
In New York State, cases involving custody, visitation, and support may be heard in Family Court. If the parties are married, those issues may also be heard in Supreme Court in connection with a divorce action. Additionally, the Family Court hears cases involving Orders of Protection between any “family member” as defined by the statute. Family Court was created by the New York State Legislature under the Family Court Act.
The Supreme Court has general jurisdiction, meaning that it can hear most types of cases. The Supreme Court derives its jurisdiction from the New York State Constitution, as opposed to state law. Although the Supreme Court can hear the same issues that the Family Court can, many feel that the procedures are more difficult to navigate. For example, in the Supreme Court, paperwork must be filed requesting a judge to be assigned to a case, whereas in Family Court, a judge is automatically assigned. Additionally, Family Court is well versed on family law issues because it does not hear other types of cases, and Family Court has statutory exceptions which are unavailable to those filing in the Supreme Court.
