Thursday, September 30, 2010

Making Divorce Faster

A long and protracted divorce or matrimonial litigation is a great harassment to the parties of the dispute. Without a proper plan, many people commit mistake when getting divorced and ultimately fail and suffer serious stressful situation. Many people, after decided to break the relationship enter into expensive and ugly battle and end up in hurting all involved parties, making the divorce and life more miserable.

A plan should be well laid and executed for a divorce just like anything in life. Only by knowing and planning what you exactly want, you can actually get it. First of all the amount of finance required should be decided for getting divorce. If there are any children out of the wedlock, the frequency of your visit to the children should also be decided.

Before initiating the divorce litigation, it has to be determined whether the divorce will be no-fault or uncontested or at-fault, all out battle. You should also determine when you actually want divorce. After doing this exercise you should realistically write down possessions wanted by you and any other details that are to be established in the divorce. After making the list they should be thoroughly reviewed and examined whether the items in the list are worth doing hard work or fighting litigation. You can save many hassles by merely knowing what is to be fought for and what is really worth for you to address your worries. A time line and schedule should be worked out by taking help from the calculated figure and list. An expert divorce lawyer can be contacted in case you desire divorce within a period of three months. Choosing a bad lawyer can disturb the whole divorce process.

Family law attorney
, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Uncontested Divorces

About 95 percent of divorces in the US are "uncontested," because the two parties are able to work out an arrangement concerning property, debt, children and support issues. When the parties can agree and present the court with a fair and equitable agreement, approval of the divorce is almost guaranteed. If the parties can’t work out their differences, divorce laws govern the fair and equitable disposition of these issues.

Divorce laws generally recognize two types of property during property division proceedings - marital property and separate property. Marital property consists of property that the spouses acquire individually or jointly during the course of marriage. Under divorce laws, separate property constitutes any property that one spouse purchased and possessed prior to the marriage and that did not substantially change in value during the course of the marriage because of the efforts of one or both spouses. Under modern divorce laws, separate property is returned to its original owner, while marital property is divided according to negotiated settlement and what the court deems equitable.

In cases involving children, divorce laws attempt to ensure the matter does not spill over into the family court system. In many jurisdictions, divorce laws require divorcing parents to submit a parenting plan spelling out each party’s rights and responsibilities.

Divorce laws also provide for the establishment of alimony, often depending on the length of the marriage and other factors. Spousal support is becoming less common, however, as more women are entering the workforce and earning their own income.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Fault vs No-Fault Divorces

Divorce is a painful and extremely difficult process. Knowing how divorce laws function and understanding the court’s role in a divorce can help to make this transition smoother and easier, however.

Divorce laws govern the dissolution of a marriage. Every country has its own laws regarding divorce and, in fact, divorce laws can vary from state to state or province to province within a nation. Knowing your jurisdiction’s divorce laws can keep a bad situation from becoming worse, and save you future turmoil.

In the United States, divorce laws, in general, provide two basic forms of divorce: fault based and no-fault based. However, even in some jurisdictions whose divorce laws do not require a party to claim fault of their partner, a court may still take into account the behavior of the parties when dividing property, debts, evaluating custody, and support.

Fault-based divorces can be contested and may involve allegations of collusion of the parties, connivance, or provocation by the other party.

In a no-fault divorce, the dissolution of a marriage does not require an allegation or proof of fault of either party. Forty-nine states have adopted no-fault divorce laws, with grounds for divorce including incompatibility, irreconcilable differences, and irremediable breakdown of the marriage. New York is the sole exception divorce laws there still require a proof of fault.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Why Choose Collaborative Divorce?

The collaborative process can be used in cases involving:

  • Separation and divorce
  • Custody and parenting arrangements
  • Spousal support
  • Child support
  • Division of assets, retirement accounts and debts
  • Marital and non-marital property
  • Breakup of relationship of cohabiting or unmarried couples
  • Premarital agreements
  • Modification of post decree of court orders

What Are The Key Benefits Of Collaborative Family Law?

  • The well being of your family is preserved
  • The dignity and self esteem of you and your spouse are protected
  • Empowerment of client
  • Focus on sparing divorcing couple's children from unnecessary pain
  • Eliminates battling in court and the loss of relationships that result
  • A cooperative approach to solve problems creatively
  • Cost effective and time efficient
  • Allows both parties to move forward with their lives

Why is the Collaborative Process A Better Way to get a Kentucky Divorce?

  • Full disclosure of all financial information
  • Private meetings attended by the parties and their lawyers
  • Jointly selected experts and advisors
  • Focus on negotiation rather than confrontation and argument
  • Signed Collaborative Agreement that requires everyone to work together to resolve issues and not go to Court

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Peaceful Divorce Are Easy Divorces

Couples ending their marriages and other relationships face many challenges. These challenges exist especially in a family with children. With Collaborative Family Law couples can work toward a complete settlement that benefits everyone through an effective and efficient process. Parents must make very important decisions that will have a significant impact on their children's future. Collaborative family law provides an opportunity to positively deal with decisions and concerns.

Why Collaborative Family Law?

The personal and financial costs of litigation can be staggering. The costs, especially when measured in lost relationships and the impact on children, often outweigh the gains.

Collaborative Law is an alternative to going to Court. You and your spouse will each work with an attorney trained in the collaborative process. Through a series of meetings attended by you, your spouse and both of your attorneys, you and your spouse work together to resolve the issues in your divorce or other family matter instead of allowing a judge to make those decisions for you.

The collaborative process is for you and your spouse if you want problem solving rather than fighting; and if you want a result that is fair to both of you.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Alimony and Sensibility

Alimony is money paid by one spouse (usually the husband) to another spouse (usually the wife) for the purposes of continuing to live after the divorce. The amount and timing of payments are set out in the divorce ruling. Here are some tips which apply mainly to the spouse who is required to make such payments.

#1 Always pay by check never by cash. The recipient spouse is not required to give a receipt so it is pointless for you to ask for one but in case there is any dispute you need a bank statement indicating if and when the check has been cleared. Keep good records. Many divorce settlement returns to court in a dispute over different matters including alimony payments. Make sure you are on solid ground.

#2 Make sure the divorce settlement declares that your alimony payments are deducted from your income and added to the income of the recipient spouse. This means you will have a lower income for taxation purposes whereas your spouse will have a higher income for taxation purposes. Have this ruling as part of the settlement. You are the one having to make the payments. The least you can get in return is some taxation relief. And if your spouse is getting part of your money, it is arguably fair that they should declare this as part of their income.

#3 Follow the rules of the divorce settlement on the letter. Don't be late with payments, don't try anything different or unusual, never pay in cash and make sure every payment is delivered in the way required.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

How to Negotiate in a Divorce

When trying to negotiate a good divorce settlement, keep the following in mind:

When you are not satisfied with any of your spouse's terms, prepare a logical rebuttal, rather than get defensive and emotional. By all means, speak up!

Be willing to try and consider your soon-to-be-estranged spouse's wellbeing. If things get ugly, remember that a change in your approach (yes, it's hard) can turn things around 180 degrees.

Just do your best to avoid having the case go to trial. The benefits of mediating your own agreement include keeping your marital problems confidential, sparing yourself of open court proceedings and the related costs, speeding up the process and not to mention helping to make it all easier on the kids.

Divorce can get complicated with all its legal and financial details and disagreements. It's no wonder that you are seeking divorce help and divorce support.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Negotiations for a Good Divorce

No one hopes to get a divorce, but, if it happens, what should you do to get a good divorce? It's no wonder that you are seeking divorce help and divorce support. The most important piece of information to learn from the get-go about how to get a divorce is that the outcome depends on you. Your willingness to negotiate and seek mediation can actually make it a low cost divorce. It might even turn out to be an easy divorce if you stay flexible, yet firm about your rights.

Going through a trial is seldom a good idea, particularly with regard to women and divorce. Financially, men usually have the upper hand since they are traditionally the bread-winners and, as such, they usually get paid more. That gives them more buying power to hire the better divorce lawyer; if the case goes to trial, a wife in this sort of situation usually finds herself headed toward financial ruin. For this reason, life after a divorce trial can be even harder than it was before.

Here is a little divorce advice that will make coping with divorce less difficult: spare yourself and your children the headache-mediate.

Mediation gives both parties the power to negotiate alimony, child support, custody and an equitable division of assets and liabilities. In this way, you can use any divorce information you acquire to increase your negotiating power.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Need a Prenupital Agreement?

A prenuptial agreement is essentially a legally binding agreement made before a couple gets married or enters into a civil partnership. The agreement deals with what should happen to assets of the couple in the event of divorce, though various additions can also be made including provisions and recommendations for alimony and the division of property. Prenuptial contracts often go by alternate names, such as ante nuptial agreements or premarital agreements; however, the usage is the same.

The popularity of prenuptial agreements has increased since the turn of the 21st century, though they were not unheard of before then. This is attributed by lawyers to an increase in media coverage of high profile divorces, which often sees as exceedingly wealthy individual divorcing someone of lesser means – and being forced to sacrifice up to half of their fortune.

A prenuptial agreement is recognized by all 50 states of the America, though they are not always followed verbatim. Often, discretion is required in cases where wealth and income has increased – or significantly decreased – between the time of the agreement and the time of the divorce. A prenuptial agreement can be appealed against if the party that stands to lose out is unhappy, though just cause must be given for doing so. American courts tend to uphold and recognize prenuptial agreements as they are, but it is worth remembering that these agreements are not a final line. It is possible for either party to challenge a prenuptial. Recently, Stephen Spielberg's wife did just that during their high profile (and acrimonious) divorce. She was successful in this attempt, and walked away with a settlement of over $50 million.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Divorce Marks the End of What Was

If you realize that your wife has fallen out of love with you, it can be very devastating. Instead of letting your life fall apart, you should take the time to take stock of the situation in order to determine what the real problem is. Is the change in your wife? Or are you the one who has changed? What could have happened to change your wife's attitude? Be very honest with yourself. Could you be the reason? Here are some things you should consider.

Do not let emotions cloud your actions

Avoid any kind of emotional reactions, whether it is trying to retaliate or beg. This is the time to use your mind instead of your heart. Be thoughtful both with the questions you ask yourself and discussions you hold. Get back to the person she used to love. Take a close look at yourself. Are you still the same man she initially fell in love with or have you changed in some way? Although people are dynamic, all the changes should revolve around the real you, not transform it. Could you have become complacent or even negative? Have you forgotten about romance after wooing her?

Try to remember how you were at the beginning. When you become the one she used to love, chances are that your wife will be aroused back to loving you. Consider the way you treat your wife. How much do you take part in things that really matter to her? Do you listen to her views? What are the steps you take to make her feel truly special? You may believe that you are doing these things. However, you should understand that women are different, and your actions may not necessarily translate to what you expect.

Think of the little thoughtful things you used to do initially. For instance, do you still give her some pleasant surprises? Think about yourself. Are you happy with the person you are? You should not expect to please your wife if you are not truly happy with yourself, or some aspect of your life.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

A Qualified Real Estate Attorney

Whatever your particular reason of needing a real estate lawyer, you are still going to need to find one. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when selecting one. Here are some tips.

1. Find a real estate lawyer. By this, it means someone who practices primarily in the field of real estate. Most lawyers own homes, so they think they can handle real estate transactions. This typically is not true. Real estate law can be complex, so get someone that already knows it.

2. Go local. Real estate laws tend to be state wide, but regulations tend to be local. Obviously, it depends on the situation in your state, but you need to seriously consider getting a lawyer in the area you are selling or buying.

3. Comfort Level - Many people just choose any old lawyer. This is a mistake. Get one who speaks your language and you are comfortable. If you like aggressive people, get an aggressive lawyer. If you like yellers, get a yeller. If you prefer a more poised attorney, a yeller is probably not a good choice.

4. Know Your Purpose - Lawyers have distinct styles. Some prefer to try to find solutions to disputes. Others prefer to crush the other side. You need to know what your goal is when interviewing lawyers and communicate it clearly. Their reaction should give you an idea of whether they are a good choice or not.

Perhaps the biggest rule to remember when dealing with lawyers is your role. You are the client. They represent you. Most people hire a lawyer and then ask for advice on what they should do and what decisions they should make. This makes lawyers uncomfortable because they don't know you from a hill of beans. Know what you want and communicate it to them. Their job is then to go get it.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Divorce and the Family

We often read about the statistics concerning divorce. We hear how the divorce rate is changing, how divorce law is changing and we all know about celebrities who divorce. But hidden behind the figures and the gossip stories are real people going through really tough times. Make no mistake; divorce takes its toll on many people and especially on the family involved in the split.

The first impact on the family is that of finance. After the divorce, families who had two incomes or large properties may suffer from bankruptcy. If there's a non-working spouse then the family may suddenly fall short as far as income goes. They may receive alimony, child support and other government benefits, but if they were used to a good income before, they may certainly drop financially after the divorce. And if you had two incomes paying for the one residence, suddenly there are two residences and the couple is not sharing expenses. It can be very different and tough from a financial point of view. Two can certainly live cheaper than one.

Then there is the actual cost of the divorce itself. If divorce lawyers are engaged and the spouses choose to fight it out in court, the only winners here are the divorce lawyers. And if the case drags on, any employed spouse will need to take time off work and that can mean a drop in income. So there are costs to consider in getting divorced.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Divorce Rates in America

The rate at which people divorce varies from country to country. However, gathering of divorce statistics from different countries is difficult because some countries do not release their official records. Nevertheless, most divorce records show the figures three to four years ago, and despite this situation, it is possible to make comments on divorce rates in certain Western countries.

In the USA, it is generally accepted that up to 50% of all marriages fail compared to other countries such as Australia, the UK and Canada. There are different ways of looking at divorce statistics. For instance, you can read how many divorces occur per head of population. In the USA, the recent figures show that 8 people per 1000 of the population get divorced compared to the Western countries with 5 divorced people per 1000 members of the population.

In the US it is easier and more accurate to make your study on a state rather than a federal basis. Each state is required to keep marriage and divorce records and you can obtain relevant information via the appropriate government body in each particular state.

The rate of divorce has moved dramatically in some countries recently. In the UK, the rate of divorce has dropped by about 15% in recent years; Australia's divorce rate has increased considerably. Of course the statisticians provide the raw data and the commentators provide the opinions as to why this is so. In Australia for instance, the marked increase in the rate of divorce is likely to have occurred because of changes in federal law, making it much easier to obtain a divorce. By introducing the grounds of 'irreconcilable differences', couples wishing to divorce simply had to separate for a set minimum period and then list the grounds for divorce as irreconcilable differences.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

How a Good Divorce Lawyer Should Be

A good divorce lawyer:

- Will always be prepared for all your hearings.
- Will know exactly what your expectation from the case is.
- Will not be able to win all hearings.
- May not be able to answer your calls 24*7*365.

Once you and your spouse start the proceedings, do not sign any paper for your partner without express knowledge of your divorce lawyer. Litigations and negotiations are little subjective so ask your lawyer about his/her policy in this matter.

A good divorce lawyer is invaluable to your case, so you should choose one carefully. Also, once your case starts, do not change lawyers unless it is absolutely necessary as this may also harm your case. In case you are looking to change divorce lawyers, make sure that you get all information from the previous divorce lawyer such as who is the judge, necessary papers etc, so a smooth transition is possible. Once you place your trust in a lawyer, do it completely and assist him/her. After all, it is your own life.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Some Facts to Ask a Divorce Lawyer

To be on the safe side, it's a good idea to enquire from the divorce lawyers the following facts:

- The relevant experience he/she has in Family Law and number of years of practice in this field.
- Steps involved in the divorce process as well as expected time frame and legalities involved.
- Filing fee and the fee that any additional legal assistants employed will ask for.
- Inquire about the Retainer Agreement policy of the lawyer/firm.
- Billing cycle of the lawyer.

A good divorce lawyer will answer all queries, and will try to address any concerns that you may have about legal implications or your case in general.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Friday, September 3, 2010

The Key to Divorce is a Great Divorce Lawyer

Divorce refers to the dissolution or the legal end of a marriage. Every state has its own legal requirements governing when a divorce may be granted. These legal requirements may include a residency requirement, grounds or a reason for the divorce, among others.

The grounds for divorce may vary from being fault-based and no-fault based. All these requirements vary from state to state. Certain exceptions like 'Irreconcilable Differences' and 'Irretrievable Breakdown' are common no-fault grounds for divorce in almost all states. Your divorce could be the most important financial decision in life, as well as one of the most nerve wrecking. In such a circumstance, the key person who can see you through this is a divorce lawyer.

The divorce lawyer helps you in making extremely important financial and emotional decisions like child custody, property divisions etc. You must choose a lawyer well versed and specializing in Family Law.

You can look for a good lawyer by asking around, consulting your friends, relatives and acquaintances. A divorce lawyer with references will be more helpful than the one who is completely unknown to you and all people around.

When you first meet the lawyer, give all case facts. The fee quoted by the person will be a rough approximate as the amount of legal work involved is not very clear. Usually, they charge by the hour, and a retainer fee as an advance payment may be desired by the lawyer. You are at liberty to interview a few lawyers before choosing one to represent you in court.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

A Few Tips for a Clean Break

Don't inform your spouse about the divorce unless you cover all the bases and take right steps for a divorce plan ahead. Some financial things have to be taken care of before giving notice about divorce. It is better to change registration of names on checking account, mortgage, car, etc. If you are already in the divorce process still things can be properly planned and ways and options can be determined. Negotiating skills and employment of strong tactics are key factors, by which spouse can be made to believe that they are deriving better out of the deal. The divorce should be planned with a right method using the list made with special techniques to accelerate the results of plan.

You should decide whether you are going to represent yourself or hiring an attorney for divorce. If you are going to represent yourself, then you should have thorough knowledge about the laws of the State where you live. Review the amount and location of all your assets and remove the money, if necessary, from bank and place it in security, without depriving necessary funds for the life of your spouse. Credit cards and other sources of credit can be reviewed and if necessary cards with joint account can be cancelled by removing the name of the spouse from the card.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Why a Good Divorce Lawyer Makes All the Difference

The process of finding a top divorce lawyer will be well worth it, no matter how much you have to spend and how long you have to work on the case with them. This is because divorce is a tricky enough issue to deal with on its own, but the last thing you want is to not only leave your partner but have everything you own taken away as well. This is why just as with a tax lawyer, you want to get the top divorce lawyer and have them by your side throughout the proceedings so that you can have the most success and win what you want.

You do not need to take everything away, but you should get the top divorce lawyer and decide what items you are interested in. Maybe there is a certain car that you would like to take with you, or certain photo albums that you find particularly sentimental and would like to win.

Who to Hire

When it comes to hiring a top divorce lawyer, reputation is key here. Nothing is going to tell you more about a lawyer than the reputation that they have. You will want to ask around and find out what people have to say about the lawyer that you are considering. Especially if you know someone who has gone through a divorce and hired this lawyer on before, you can get some great firsthand advice and opinions from them.

Tips

There are a few tips that you will want to keep in mind when you are trying to find a top divorce lawyer. One of the best tips is to stick with a lawyer that focuses on divorce cases, a real divorce lawyer. You really do not want to go with a lawyer that also takes criminal cases or family cases for instance, because then you know that they have their areas of interest in other places and so you really cannot trust in them as you could with lawyers who focus solely with divorce cases.

Family law attorney, Eric M. Gansberg, Esq., is located on Staten Island, New York, and represents men and women with divorce, child support and family law throughout the New York City area, including Staten Island, Annadale, Arden Heights, Bay Terrace, Dongan Hills, Eltingville, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Graniteville, Grant City, Grasmere, Great Kills, Greenridge, Grymes Hill, Heartland Village, Huguenot, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Old Town NY, Pleasant Plains, Prince's Bay, Randall Manor, Richmond Valley Richmondtown, Rosebank, Rossville, Shore Acres, Silver Lake, South Beach, St. George, Tottenville Beach, Ward Hill, Westerleigh, Willowbrook, Woodrow, other areas of Staten Island, New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Rockland County.