Family Law Attorney in Glenville, NY

Serving clients in Saratoga, Albany, Warren, Washington, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Green, and Columbia

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    Jean M. Mahserjian Family Law - Brand
    Saratoga Divorce Mediation Attorneys

    Family Law Attorney in Glenville, NY

    Serving clients in Saratoga, Albany, Warren, Washington, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Green, and Columbia

    Do you need legal help?

      The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They truly care about their clients and walk you through the process every step of the way. I highly recommend Jean and here team for any legal needs.

      – Joseph B.

      They were so kind and caring throughout the whole experience. Walked with me through everything. They made a difficult and painful time more manageable. I would recommend them to in a heartbeat. Best decision about the divorce I made.

      – Kelli F.

      Was a real advocate for me while going through my divorce. Responded to emails and calls promptly and guided me through the entire process. Fair, responsive and frankly a light during a tough time.

      – Melissa W.

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      Family Law Attorney in Glenville, NY

      A family-law problem can reshape everyday life

      When a Glenville household is separating, the hardest questions are often practical: Who stays in the home? Where will the children sleep next week? How will bills be paid while a case is pending? New York law provides a process for answering those questions, but the right court and the right first filing depend on whether the matter involves divorce, custody, support, safety, or enforcement of an existing order.

      Divorce court and Family Court serve different roles

      Only New York Supreme Court can end a marriage. A Glenville divorce is generally handled through Schenectady County Supreme Court. Schenectady County Family Court can hear custody, parenting-time, child-support, paternity, family-offense, and many enforcement or modification matters. A person may have a Family Court case before a divorce begins, or related issues may be addressed within the Supreme Court divorce action.

      • Schenectady County Family Court: 620 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305; (518) 285-8435.
      • Schenectady County Supreme Court: 612 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305.

      Building a workable parenting plan

      Custody decisions turn on the child’s best interests, not a presumption for either parent. For Glenville families, a useful parenting proposal should address school transportation, exchanges, medical decisions, extracurricular activities, holidays, and communication between homes. A judge may consider stability, caregiving history, each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent, domestic violence, and other facts affecting health and safety.

      The house, retirement accounts, and other property

      New York follows equitable distribution. The court identifies marital and separate property, values the marital estate, and divides it fairly under the statutory factors. A Glenville home may raise questions about a mortgage, equity, credits for separate funds, occupancy while the case is pending, and whether a sale or buyout is realistic. Retirement accounts can require a separate domestic-relations order before a plan administrator can divide benefits.

      Support while the case is pending and afterward

      Child support is generally payable until age 21 unless an emancipation rule applies. The calculation starts with verified parental income and the Child Support Standards Act, then addresses health insurance, child care, unreimbursed medical costs, and other permitted additions. Spousal maintenance is a different calculation. Temporary support and final maintenance can depend on statutory formulas, resources, and the facts of the marriage.

      Records worth organizing early

      • Recent tax returns, pay statements, benefit information, and proof of other income.
      • Mortgage, deed, loan, retirement, investment, and credit-card records.
      • The current custody or support order, if one exists.
      • A calendar of parenting time, school events, missed exchanges, and important communications.
      • Police reports, medical records, photographs, or messages when safety is an issue.

      Questions Glenville clients often ask

      Can we resolve custody in Family Court without filing for divorce?

      Yes. Family Court can decide custody and parenting time even when no divorce action is pending.

      Is property divided exactly in half?

      Not automatically. New York requires equitable, or fair, distribution after the court considers the statutory factors.

      Can I change the locks or remove my spouse from the home?

      That can affect property, safety, and occupancy rights. Review the facts and any court order before acting.

      What if the other parent stops following our order?

      The available response may include enforcement, contempt, or a modification request, depending on what happened and what the order says.

      How the firm approaches a Glenville matter

      Mahserjian & Mahserjian-Ortiz, PLLC handles New York divorce and family-law matters involving parenting arrangements, support, property, maintenance, and post-judgment disputes. The first step is to separate urgent issues from longer-term decisions, identify the proper court, and build a record that supports a practical resolution or a litigated request. Every matter depends on its own facts, and no outcome can be promised.