Author Archives: Maurice J. Verrillo
How NY Courts Weigh Children’s Preferences for Custody and Visitation
Any child old enough to understand that their parents are splitting up and that they will no longer all live together likely has thoughts about what they want their own living situation to look like. When parents cannot agree on custody and visitation, the judge may ask the child about their preferences. Because testifying in […]
Hidden Financial Traps That Can Derail High-Net-Worth Divorces
A high‑net‑worth divorce is one in which millions of dollars in property is subject to equitable distribution. In addition, can involve multiple classes of assets, such as real estate, investments, retirement accounts and business interests. The size and diversity of the property at stake, and the financial consequences and tax implications, make these divorces prone […]
The “SUNY Cap” and How it Affects Child Support Obligations for College Costs
A key concern in many child support matters is parental responsibility for higher education costs. Though New York law does not compel any parent to pay for their son or daughter to attend college, courts can include terms for how educational expenses will be covered as part of a child support order. Given that the […]
Can Virtual Visitation Substitute for the Real Thing?
Work-related obligations and other demands of daily life can make it difficult for noncustodial parents to maintain a steady visitation schedule, especially when they live some distance from their child. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many families utilized digital meeting technology through providers such as Zoom, Apple, Google and Microsoft to stay connected during lockdowns and […]
New York Enacts Law Relieving Domestic Violence Survivors of “Coerced Debt”
Increased attention on domestic violence has identified numerous ways in which victims can be harmed by their partners. In some cases, an abusive spouse, roommate, lover or family member inflicts physical injuries. Other times, coercive behavior or the threat of force can compel victims to take actions that are not in their own best interests. […]
Shoppers Face Several Types of Injury Risks When Stores and Malls Are Not Careful
With the holidays approaching, stores and shopping malls are more crowded than at other times of the year. Whether people are jamming supermarket aisles in preparation for a family dinner or heading to the mall to buy presents, business owners need to be aware of potential hazards. Even a brief lapse, such as the failure […]
New York Drug Treatment Courts Offer Relief to Accused Individuals With Substance Addictions
Despite decades of harsh drug laws in New York and elsewhere, substance addiction still causes widespread death and misery. Many authorities and experts have concluded that long prison sentences are not the best solution for some individuals convicted of drug crimes, and might even make things worse for people struggling with the abuse of controlled […]
New York Legislators Still Considering “Kyra’s Law” to Revise Child Custody Standards
Any child custody dispute has the potential to become contentious and emotional. When one parent alleges that the other poses a threat to the child they share, the situation can become even more heated. Judges are put in a situation where they must balance the well-being of the youth against a parent’s right to spend […]
Deadly Driving Bill Would Make it Easier for New York to Prosecute Allegedly Drug-Impaired Motorists
Traditionally, enforcement of impaired-driving laws hinged on the result of breathalyzer tests or other methods of determining a motorist’s blood-alcohol concentration (BAC). Though these tests are not perfect and can be tainted by poor administration or the sloppy handling of samples, they provide a measurable reading of whether a driver exceeded the applicable level of […]
