As noted in previous posts on this blog, I have a growing divorce and family law mediation practice. I wanted to take a moment and note my membership of the Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York. If you are looking for a divorce or family law mediator, I recommend reviewing the Member Directory.
Online Business Plan Course for NY Farms
I hope my readers had a fantastic Labor Day. I was beachside getting some R & R. Cornell Small Farms Program‘s Northeast Beginning Farmers Project will be offering an online course title “Planning for Sustainability – Writing Your Business Plan” where participants will hear from farmers, business management educators, and bankers about business plans. The course begins on October 4th and …
New York State Farmers Markets
I was recently reminded of this expansive list of farmers markets (organized by county) throughout New York State by the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets. You can find the winter markets here. In New York City, GrowNYC’s Greenmarket, Community Markets and Harvest Home are the Big 3. I’m excited about the growth of farmers markets in both urban and …
How is Durational Spousal Maintenance Calculated in New York?
Pursuant to a divorce, spousal maintenance may be awarded for life, not at all, or for a fixed period of time. In New York, lifetime maintenance is awarded in extremely rare circumstances. Durational maintenance is awarded to the lesser-monied spouse of a divorce for a defined, fixed term. The purpose of durational maintenance is to enable the lesser-moneyed spouse to …
Save the Date: Local Food Law Seminar at Pace Law School on October 29th
I’m excited to announce that I will be a faculty member for a Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) seminar at Pace University, School of Law (my alum) on Monday October 29th, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30pm titled “Survey of Local Food.” Just as the title indicates, the speakers will be presenting on a myriad of practice areas affecting the local food …
Sibling Visitation Rights in New York
There is a presumption that a parent knows what is best for his or her child and can decide who the child sees and when. When parents divorce, siblings or half-siblings might be split and their relationships might suffer. In New York, siblings (full-blood and half-blood) have a statutory right to visitation with each other. This is outlined in New …
Debrief From Skype Conversation About Being An Agriculture Attorney
I hope that my readers had a wonderful Fourth of July vacation and were able to spend some time in the sun. I had a nice time running again and spending time on a few beaches on Long Island including Shelter Island and Robert Moses Beach. Some R & R is always a good thing. Last Friday, I enjoyed a …
How to Calculate Temporary Spousal Maintenance in New York
Temporary spousal maintenance is money paid from the higher-earning spouse to the lesser-earning spouse. It is typically applied during the pendency of the divorce but it can also be used as a guideline when a couple is married for relief in Family Court. I have received a lot of phone calls lately from folks whose spouse decides to cut them …
“Contested” vs. “Uncontested” Divorces – So What Exactly is the Difference?
In New York, a contested divorce is one where the parties do not agree on whether or not to get divorced, on what the grounds for divorce will be, and/or on all or some of the ancillary issues to the divorce including but not limited to durational/rehabilitative spousal maintenance, child support, and equitable distribution. All or some of the issues stated …
Missed the Local Food CLE? Don’t Worry, You Can Get the Recording
Last Thursday I moderated a fantastic local food law CLE (i.e., “Continuing Legal Education”). The faculty worked hard putting together substantive materials for the attendees including relevant ancillary materials (such as this, this, and this). If you missed the live webinar, you can purchase the CLE from the American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) webstore here. Though the CLE was directed to …
Animal Law Mediation
I was recently asked whether I handle animal law mediation. And the answer is, “why yes I do.” I am a previous member of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Animals in the Law, New Jersey State Bar Association Committee on Animal Law, and the New York Lawyers’ Association Committee on Animal Law. I have also had …
Overview of Equitable Distribution in New York
New York courts in a matrimonial action uses the term “equitable distribution” to describe how the assets will be divided between the two spouses. The term “equitable distribution” refers the equitable (not necessarily equal) distribution of marital assets upon a divorce. (When I tell my clients that the court divides things “equitably” not not necessarily “equally” I get a …