A major change in your child’s daily routine may support a request to modify a New York custody or parenting-time order when circumstances have changed enough to justify court review and the requested change would serve your child’s best interests. School schedules, transportation demands, childcare needs, medical or therapy appointments, extracurricular activities, relocation, and changes […]
Category Archives: Jean Mahserjian Blog
27
Aug
Aug
A child leaving home to attend college does not automatically end child support in New York. As a general rule, parents remain responsible for supporting an unemancipated child until age 21. Living in a dorm or other college housing does not, by itself, make a child financially independent. The amount of support can still become […]
25
Aug
Aug
When fall tuition is approaching and you and your former spouse or co-parent disagree about college costs, start with the exact language of your divorce judgment, settlement agreement, child support order, and any later modification. New York law allows courts, in appropriate cases, to award post-secondary educational expenses after considering the circumstances of the case, […]
20
Aug
Aug
Before the summer travel season ends, review the estate planning documents that could matter if you become ill, injured, unreachable, or unable to handle financial or medical decisions while you are away. A practical review should cover your will, power of attorney, health care proxy, any trust documents, beneficiary designations, and the location of important […]
18
Aug
Aug
August can be a useful decision point if you have spent months considering whether your marriage can continue. In Saratoga, New York, late summer often brings back-to-school planning, changes in parenting schedules, household budgeting, and decisions about where each family member will live during the fall. August is not legally favored for divorce filings, and […]
13
Aug
Aug
When co-parents disagree about a child’s school activities, start by reviewing the custody order, parenting plan, divorce judgment, settlement agreement, temporary order, or later modification that governs the family. The controlling document may assign educational decision-making, require joint consent, address extracurricular expenses, establish transportation duties, or protect each parent’s scheduled parenting time. The practical details […]
11
Aug
Aug
After a divorce, the parent who has legal custody or assigned educational decision-making authority will usually control major school decisions. If you share legal custody, your custody order may require agreement, consultation, mediation, or a stated tie-breaking process before either parent changes the child’s school. When you cannot resolve the dispute, a New York court […]
06
Aug
Aug
A school-year parenting schedule should support your child’s attendance, homework, activities, transportation, rest, and time with each parent when that arrangement is safe and consistent with the custody order. A summer schedule may no longer fit once classes begin. You and the other parent may be able to address a limited scheduling problem through a […]
30
Jul
Jul
The start of a new school year can reveal custody and parenting-time problems that were less noticeable during summer. Class schedules, bus routes, after-school care, homework, activities, and work obligations may no longer fit the current parenting plan. You can reduce confusion by reviewing the existing custody order before classes begin, comparing it with the […]
28
Jul
Jul
Summer camps, sports, lessons, travel, and family visits can give your child structure and meaningful experiences. They can also create disputes when you and your co-parent make overlapping plans or disagree about cost, transportation, consent, or parenting time. You can lower the risk of conflict by reviewing your custody order first, using one shared calendar, […]
23
Jul
Jul
Divorce mediation is often seen as a way for couples to navigate the complexities of ending a marriage with less conflict and expense than traditional litigation. When a prenuptial agreement is involved, the mediation process takes on additional layers of complexity. A prenuptial agreement, also known as a “prenup,” is a legal contract created before […]
Whether you are considering the dissolution of your marriage or seeking a temporary arrangement, understanding the differences between legal separation and divorce is crucial. These legal processes can have significant implications for your future financial stability, child custody arrangements, and overall emotional well-being. What is Legal Separation? Legal separation allows married couples […]