- DivorceCurrently based in Valley Stream, New York, Harriet Causin is a New York Divorce Attorney with over twenty years experience including divorce mediation and collaborative law.
- Child SupportWhether they are married or not parents of children have a obligation to support them until those children are age 21, unless they become emancipated earlier. In New York Sate, Child Support is based on a strict mathematical formula known as the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA). Basically this formula states that the combined adjusted gross income for both parents (total income minus social security, medicare, city tax, support paid to other children or to a spouse pursuant to a Court Order, and other allowable deductions) is multiplied by a percentage based on the number of children who will be subject to this support order. The percentages are 17% for one child, 25% for two children, 29% for three children, 31% for four children and at least 35% for five or more children. The result, called the combined parental obligation, is then allocated between the parents proportionately to their individual adjusted gross income (referred to as their " pro-rata " share). To this amount more money may be added for what is called "add-ons". Add-ons can be health insurance costs, health expenses not covered by insurance, child care, educational expenses and similar. Each parent is responsible for their pro-rata share of these expenses.
- Child Custody and VisitationUnless parents come to an agreement on the custody of their children and the visitation rights of the non-residential parent, the Court will hold a hearing to determine who the custodial parent will be and when and how much visitation the other parent will have.
- PaternityIn New York State, the establishment of Paternity is usually conducted in the Family Court. Paternity can be established by acknowledgment or by DNA tests, which are given substantial weight by the Court.
- Spousal SupportBut besides just being a vehicle to pre-determine what happens to assets in case of death or divorce, Pre-Nups can also be a structure for a couple's financial plan. After full disclosure of all assets and liabilities, the couple might address: Who will be responsible for the monthly expenses? How will pre and post marital debts be paid? What insurance coverage (health, life, disability and long-term care) should the couple carry and how are the premiums to be paid? If either or both parties have parents - what will be the couple's responsibility for their care, when these aging or ill parents are unable to care for themselves? What if one party loses Social Security benefits or maintenance (alimony) from a former spouse? Who be responsible for the support/college costs of children from a prior relationship? What about money for the benefit of grandchildren?
- Assault
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- Estate Planning
- Wills
- Power of AttorneyEvery individual should have a will, a supplemental letter of instructions, a durable power of attorney, a springing power of attorney, a living will and a health care proxy. In the case of a couple, both the husband and wife, should have these documents. A trust becomes important under specified conditions.