FAMILY COURT ARTICLES

Child Advocacy Centers: A Vital Resource in Protecting Children Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) have emerged as indispensable institutions in the field of child protection. These specialized facilities provide a safe, child-friendly environment where children who have experienced abuse or neglect can receive comprehensive services. By coordinating the efforts of law enforcement, child protective services, medical […]

S stepparent adoption is a legal process that allows a stepparent to adopt their spouse’s child from a previous relationship, granting them the rights and responsibilities of a legal parent. In New York, stepparent adoption is governed by specific laws and procedures to ensure the best interests of the child are protected. Outside of the

The New York State foster care system provides temporary care for children whose parents are unable to provide for them, for various reasons, such as abuse or neglect. The system operates under the jurisdiction of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and is divided into several foster care agencies that

Mediation is a collaborative and effective process that can help parties in conflict resolve disputes related to family law and divorce. The process involves the use of a professional mediator who facilitates communication and negotiation between the parties with the goal of reaching a resolution. In recent years, mediation has become an increasingly popular form

The United States immigration system is complex and multi-faceted, encompassing a wide range of legal mechanisms and provisions that cater to the needs and circumstances of different individuals. Two such provisions are the Special Immigrant Status (SIS) and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). While both provisions offer important protections and benefits to eligible

. . The Lawyer’s Experience and Expertise: Going through a divorce or child custody, or child support dispute can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. Whether you are a father, mother, or grandparent, it is important to have the right legal representation to guide you through the process and protect your rights and interests. You

Article 10 neglect and abuse cases have historically comprised close to 50 % of all cases heard in the Family Court. In the representative year 2015, there were well over 8,500 abuse or neglect reported in New York. Nearly 60% were substantiated by the assigned child protective agency (in NYC the Administration for Childrens’ Services

If you are either a pro se litigant or an attorney who has a case in the New York Family Court, you may be uncertain how the Family  Court handles electronic evidence, such as emails, text messages, and Facebook instant messages at trial.  As a general rule, technology advances, particularly advances in digital data and

My name is Paul W. Matthews. I am an experienced Staten Island Custody and appellate lawyer. Litigants seeking to appeal various types of cases, such as disputes over visitation rights, often find themselves navigating complex legal terrain. Because custody cases are so contentious, and the stakes are so high, either the father, the mother, a

FAMILY COURT ARTICLES / By  Paul Matthews   Indicated ACS cases can have severe consequences for a person, including their ability to obtain employment in many fields, and can even be brought up in future custody or visitation cases. Caseworkers from the Child Protective Services (CPS) play a crucial role in these scenarios, often working