This was written by Jeffrey Sunshine who is a Justice of the Supreme Court and the Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonial Cases. At this time of an historic health emergency, strains could appear in an intact relationship, while in a fractured relationship those strains and disputes become problematic quickly. It is difficult for lawyers to…

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Labor Laws

It is important for every employer in New York State and New York City to be aware of their obligations under New York State Law effective October 9, 2018.  All New York State employers must provide an interactive sexual harassment prevention training to all their employees. A qualifying “employee” under this requirement includes all workers,…

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Collaborative Law is an alternative to resolving your business disputes in Court. Traditional methods of resolving conflict through litigation are not always best.  Protracted litigation depletes financial resources, disrupts lives and destroys relationships. This is usually the case when individuals believe that only they are right or that the most important issue is to “win”.…

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Temporary Spousal Maintenance Factors – Domestic Relations Law DRL §236(B)(5-a)(h) (1) the age and health of the parties; (2) the present or future earning capacity of the parties, including a history of limited participation in the workforce; (3) the need of one party to incur education or training expenses; (4) the termination of a child…

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Equitable Distribution is the method by which the courts of New York distribute marital property. Equitable does not necessarily require an equal split. If spouses litigated the court would consider 14 factors (insert link) when deciding the split for them. In mediation, spouses can consider these factors or develop their own definition of an equitable…

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Family Mediation

Mediators and the Courts rely on multiple factors when determining Spousal Maintenance after a divorce.  According to Domestic Relations Law Section DRL §236(B)(6)(e), those factors include: (1) the age and health of the parties; (2) the present or future earning capacity of the parties, including a history of limited participation in the workforce; (3) the…

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Persons who are legally married are required to provide financial support for each other. If a married person divorces in New York State the higher earning spouse may be required to pay maintenance (spousal support) to the lower earning spouse, for a specified period of time, to assist the lower earning spouse become financially independent…

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Disputes in the workplace have the potential to cause significant damage to a business.  A single major employment dispute can result in the erosion of substantial assets because of legal fees, potential jury awards, loss of productivity and negative by creating a negative impact on a business’ public image due to negative publicity and or…

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