- DivorceDepending on how cooperative the couple will be during the divorce, divorce mediation or collaborative law could be other options. However, these out-of-court methods are not suitable for all divorces, especially those that involve abuse. These are also not suitable for spouses who are unwilling to compromise and work together to complete the divorce.
- Child SupportJustice doesn’t sleep. We’re here to help. We don’t need to have physical contact to get you immediate help. We offer virtual assistance via live chat, email, text, phone and video conference. Contact our experienced Buffalo child support lawyers for legal help.
- Child Custody and VisitationJustice doesn’t sleep. We’re here to help. We don’t need to have physical contact to get you the help you need. We offer virtual assistance via live chat, email, text, phone and video conference. Contact our experienced Buffalo child custody lawyers for legal help.
- AdoptionDuring a private placement adoption, the legal custody of the child will transfer directly from the birth parents to the adoptive family. Even though government or private adoption agencies are not involved in a private placement adoption, court approval will be needed before the adoption is complete.
- PaternityPaternity Issues Besides the fact that every child deserves to know who his or her father is, establishing paternity in New York is important: it provides for a variety of rights and responsibilities for the legal father, such as child support, visitation rights, the right to make certain decisions about the child’s life, and the right to notification about things like medical events. Unfortunately, determining paternity is not as simple as taking a DNA test, as there are other factors a court must consider before establishing paternity.
- Premarital AgreementPrenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements The purpose of prenuptial or postnuptial agreements is to allow couples to decide for themselves how their property will be divided during divorce or upon the death of one of the spouses. Couples and their attorneys must take steps to ensure prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are enforceable. For example, if the agreement is very unfair or entered into under duress, a court may invalidate it.
- GuardianshipYou might want a will even if you don’t have significant assets. No matter the size of your estate, if you have young children you will not want your assets to go to the children directly, or even to a guardianship. Instead, you’ll want to set up a trust so that the assets will appreciate by the time the children are old enough to manage them wisely. Even if you have no assets whatsoever, you might want a will to name the people you wish to take care of your affairs when you die or become incapacitated.
- Spousal SupportSpousal Support Spousal support, (officially called maintenance in New York, but sometimes referred to as alimony) is the financial support a ex-spouse making less income receives from the ex-spouse making more income. These payments can take place during the divorce, as well as after the divorce is finalized.
- Legal SeparationAre you and your spouse considering a legal separation or divorce? Are you seeking Buffalo divorce lawyers you can trust to guide you through what can be a stressful and emotional process? Let our Buffalo divorce lawyers help set your mind at ease. We’ll make sure that you feel at home with our helpful lawyers and support staff. Our clients appreciate our promise of experience, integrity, and personal service as we resolve divorce and family law issues. You should be able to go about the usual aspects of your life, free from worrying about contested issues and the cost of legal services. Contact our Buffalo divorce lawyers today. We have multiple offices in the Western New York area, including Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, Batavia, and Niagara Falls. Choose the one most convenient for you and set up a consultation when it fits your schedule.
- AnnulmentDivorce vs. Annulment A divorce ends a valid marriage, while an annulment is a declaration that the marriage was never valid in the first place. In order to get an annulment, a spouse has to prove at least one of the following...
- Child AbuseThe person or couple seeking to adopt will have to go through a home study. During a home study, a social worker or other official will confirm that the adopting family is suitable for adoption. They ensure the family will pass the financial, child abuse and criminal checks. If the family is determined to be adequate, the court will approve them in a process called certification.
- Wrongful DeathThe Advocacy You Need on Your Side After an Injury If your loved one was killed in an accident resulting from another person’s negligence, our attorneys can assist you. We may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties and recover compensation for you and your family. Contact our experienced Buffalo personal injury attorneys at our Buffalo, Batavia, Hamburg, Cheektowaga, or Niagara Falls offices to set up your free initial consultation. You can reach us through this website or call us at the number above. Our award winning injury attorneys welcome the opportunity to serve you. We offer flexible appointment schedules and Spanish-speaking services if necessary.
- ForgeryYou could allege that a will is fraudulent or forged, or that the testator or witnesses didn’t know what they were signing.
- Corporate Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Business Formation
- Business DisputesBuffalo Business Lawyers If you’re reading this page, chances are good that you own a business or want to start one. Many business owners and owners-to-be often view the law as a hurdle to achieving their goals, with attorneys always telling them what they can or cannot do. Business lawyers should be allies, not obstacles. At Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner, & Gambino, P.C., we understand this sentiment and want you to know that it doesn’t have to be this way. Our mission is not to tell you what your business can or cannot do (although it’s inevitable that we’ll have to do this on occasion), but work with you to achieve your strategic business objectives while complying with the law. No matter what stage of growth your business is in, we can help you in all facets, from obtaining necessary funding to licensing, company formation, or even dissolution. Our experienced business law professionals represent a wide range of business entities and individuals in Buffalo and the surrounding areas. We also offer a variety of services that can help you accomplish your business ambitions. Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino, P.C., has been advising business law clients for over 45 years. Whether you are just starting your company and need help with setting up the business, or you need assistance with the drafting and review of contracts, our attorneys can assist you.
- Limited Liability CompaniesBuffalo Business Lawyers for Startups and New Businesses Most of the largest and most successful business enterprises have to start small. We can help you from the very beginning. We can advise you on how to raise capital and deal with tax consequences and any other start-up issues you may face. One of the biggest considerations is what business entity form to take. New York offers its citizens a wide range of business forms, including corporations, limited partnerships, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and limited liability companies. Each form has its advantages and disadvantages with respect to tax liability, legal liability, costs, and level of control. We’ll take the time to listen to what your precise needs may be, even if you don’t quite know what they are yourself, and advise you on which form is the best fit for your goals.
- Intellectual PropertyBusiness Litigation Services – Protecting existing legal rights – Intellectual property disputes – Commercial real estate disputes – Breach of contract – Business torts – Shareholder disputes – Business divorce
- Small Business Law
- Workers CompensationWorkers’ compensation: From helping you understand the steps to take if injured on the job to fighting for the full benefits you deserve, we will guide you through every stage of the workers compensation process.
- Wrongful TerminationCivil litigation: We handle all types of civil litigation matters, including personal injury, contract disputes, wrongful discharge and debt collection.
- Real Estate LitigationThe Attorneys at Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino Are Well-Practiced & Have Proven Effective With Cases in Workers’ Compensation, Family Law, Real Estate Law & More!
- Premises Liability
- Real Estate TransactionsExperienced Real Estate Lawyers in Buffalo, NY Purchasing or selling property it is often the largest financial investment a person or corporation undertakes. Each transaction contains exciting opportunities as well as risks. At the law firm of Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino, P.C., our goal is to eliminate the risks inherent real estate deals, and to protect the interests of our clients. You can count on our experience, integrity, and ethic of personal service as we review all documents associated with your real estate transaction. We will talk through matters that might expose you to liability and take all efforts to eliminate or minimize your risk. Our goal is to allow you to complete your transaction with peace of mind, knowing that you and your investment are well-protected. Download Our Free Real Estate Guide We also assist our clients with drafting and reviewing of real estate contracts, offering timely pre-signature counsel, acting as title officers, and providing sound counsel for specific purchases or sales. Contact Richard Cole, one of our dedicated Buffalo real estate attorneys. If you’re living or working in the Western New York area, you can set up a consultation at one of our offices, conveniently located in Buffalo, Batavia, Hamburg, Cheektowaga, and Niagara Falls. You can reach us by fax, e-mail, or phone.
- Eminent DomainIn his personal time, Mr. Gambino stayed connected to the community through a variety of legal and professional organizations. His memberships included the Injured Workers Bar Association and the Western New York Chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association. He also served on the Bar Association of Erie County’s eminent domain and tax certiorari committee, labor law committee, and workers’ compensation committee.
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesBuffalo Lawyers for Landlord and Tenant Disputes Landlords and tenants can often resolve disagreements without the help of attorneys. When this doesn’t work, both sides are in a difficult position. Tenants may be worried about becoming homeless, losing personal belongings, or protecting their children. Landlords have to worry about their livelihood, being able to repossess important property, and potential legal liability for not following the proper procedures. At Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner, & Gambino, P.C., we are more than capable of representing either side in a variety of conflicts, including...
- Personal InjuryExperienced Injury Lawyers in Buffalo, NY Are you suffering from the effects of a serious personal injury accident? Was the accident that harmed you the result of someone else’s negligence? If so, you and your family are probably grappling with the possibility of lost income, from missing hours on your job, and mounting medical bills due to the high cost of care and therapy. You need to contact our experienced Buffalo personal injury attorneys to help you obtain the compensation you deserve, and get the peace of mind you need to speed along your recovery. If you’ve suffered an injury because of the fault of another, the law gives you the right to compensation. The principle is simple: whoever is responsible for the harm you suffered should pay to make you whole again. But though it is simple in theory, it is rarely as simple in reality. The Buffalo personal injury attorneys at Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino, P.C., aggressively seek fair financial compensation for their personal injury clients. We typically handle our personal injury cases on a contingency basis. You are not responsible for any attorneys’ fees unless we recover damages for you. At Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner, & Gambino, P.C., our Buffalo personal injury attorneys understand it takes experience, dedication and skill to obtain the compensation you need for the harm you have suffered. Whether it’s an insurance company dragging its feet and trying to lowball you or another individual convinced they did nothing wrong, it’s rarely easy to get what you deserve through the courts. That’s why any personal injury attorney at our firm is ready to help the injured individuals and workers. We also understand that suing for personal injuries can be a confusing process. That’s why we’ve provided the following overview of New York personal injury law.
- Auto Accidents
- Social Security DisabilityPeople receiving workers compensation benefits are often denied Social Security disability, although some people do receive both.
- Dog Bites
- Estate PlanningOur Niagara Falls law office offers flexible appointments and comprehensive representation spanning the following areas: Workers’ Compensation, Real Estate, Family Law, Estate Planning, and more. Our office is conveniently located at 2524 Pine Avenue, near the corner of 26th Street in the City of Niagara Falls. If you have questions about a legal issue, please contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.
- WillsWhat Happens If I Die Without a Will? Depending on your situation, dying “intestate,” or without a last will and testament, can create anything from a minor inconvenience to a significant and expensive conflict. New York State laws will govern the distribution of everything you leave behind. In these situations, what usually happens is that someone will get something you didn’t want them to get. As bad as that sounds, it can get much worse. When there are important assets at stake, with several individuals claiming rights to the same things, it can result in very long court battles. These battles can become so expensive that the asset in question barely covers the costs of the legal fees. A properly prepared and executed will can avoid or reduce the legal fighting.
- TrustsWills, trusts and estates: Start planning for your future now with the guidance of an experienced attorney at Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino, P.C. Proper estate planning can ensure that your assets are properly distributed and your wishes are fully honored.
- Power of AttorneyThe purpose of a power of attorney is straightforward – to give someone the authority to handle certain legal matters for you, such as financial affairs. The power of attorney can set out limited tasks for another person to handle or it can be very broad, essentially allowing someone else to do anything you would be able to do.
- Probate
- BankruptcyI started talking with the firm some time ago about the possibility of filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Due to a variety of circumstances, I kept pushing out the actual filing. He never rushed me, was always almost immediately available via email to answer every question I ever had, was understanding and touched bases with me every so often, which was very appreciated. Once I decided to move ahead, he was quickly accessible and went out of his way to meet me at a location that was much more convenient for me then it was for him. He provided guidance and reassurance and was always very professional. I would never hesitate to ask for his services again and can highly recommend him to anyone that is looking for a knowledge, capable and dependable attorney.
- Foreclosure
- Tax LawExperienced IRS Tax Attorneys in Buffalo, NY Handling IRS & NYS Taxation Dealing with the Internal Revenue Service or the New York State Tax Commission can be a difficult process for most people. Not only are the laws and issues often incomprehensible, but the bureaucracy can be overwhelming as well. Confronting these without the assistance our experienced Buffalo tax lawyers could be disastrous. Facing a tax controversy will be stressful, especially since the penalties and interest may continue to add up for every day you are unable to resolve it. Add the fact that many tax issues arrive completely out of the blue and you had no idea you were doing anything wrong to begin with, and you have yourself a legal problem that requires immediate and decisive legal assistance. That’s where the experienced tax professionals at Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner, & Gambino, P.C., come in. We understand how the IRS and New York State Department of Taxation and Finance work. We have in-depth understanding of the tax laws and legal processes. As a result, we can effectively resolve your tax controversy issue as quickly and realistically as possible and provide you with the tax guidance you need to comply with the tax requirements in your personal and professional life.
- Debt CollectionDebt collection This list is certainly not exhaustive, but contains many of the common types of disputes we at Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino, P.C. handle on a regular basis.