Family Law Archives | Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP

The concept of parental alienation (PA) was formally defined in the 1980s. Although controversial at first, the phenomenon of PA is now gaining acceptance as a recognized disorder. PA is described in the DSM-5, as well as discussed in The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Academy of Pediatrics. What is…

In 1888, the Supreme Court of the United States heard arguments in Maynard v. Hill, a case that, when reduced to its most basic elements, is about property rights in a divorce. The ruling by the Court, however, made a much wider impact on our understanding of marriage. What the case involved In sum, a…

The last seven months have been trying, for many reasons. In the earliest days of the pandemic, when New York all but shut down entirely, the fear and confusion created almost palpable tensions. People hunkered down together, feeling the weight of uncertainty on their shoulders. Within weeks, the “coronavirus divorce” speculations began: would there be…

After a decision from the court – whether regarding divorce, child custody, or a support order – it can be expected that not everyone will be happy with the outcome. When one spouse or parent believes the court’s decision was inherently unfair or erroneous, they have the right to appeal that decision. In matters of…

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, all New York and New Jersey public and private schools will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 academic year. Both Governor Cuomo and Governor Murphy have announced these institutions will continue online and remote instruction through the rest of the school year. This leaves many parents…

Kenneth C. Griffin is the founder and CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel LLC, which has around 16 billion dollars in assets under management. He’s been a periodic newsmaker since the early 2000s, when he was the second-youngest entrant on the Forbes 400 list. Mr. Griffin’s current wealth has been estimated at 3 billion dollars,…

In the latest wireLawyer video, Social Media and the Law: Panacea or Pandora’s Box, we talked with matrimonial attorney Jacqueline Newman and immigration attorney Steve Maggi about how social media can threaten the litigation process. Watch the video where they give examples of social media gone rogue, how it’s impacted the litigation process, and tips for your clients.

When orders are issued in divorce and custody proceedings, they outline requirements that both parents must follow. When one parent violates the terms of an order or an agreement, it can be aggravating for the other parent who was acting responsibly. In this type of situation, it can be tempting for innocent parents to take…

You are getting a divorce, and you and your spouse decide mediation is the best way to work out the details. Mediation is a great way to work together, with the help of a professional, as it facilitates communication and allows you to explore options. But choosing the wrong mediator can lead to a breakdown…

Although obtaining orders from the court, or reaching an agreement with your spouse, is half the battle in divorce, your proceedings may not end there. Long after your divorce is finalized, you and your spouse may need to modify and enforce orders. When one parent refuses to obey a child support order, there are many…