Matrimonial Law Firm in Suffolk County NY

Our law firm truly believes in doing what is best for our clients, and we strive to help everyone get the justice that they deserve. Gulotta & Gulotta, PLLC is a general practice, handling a variety of cases in many different legal areas.  We have a large focus on Personal Injury and Real Estate matters.  We also deal with legal issues involving Estates, Wills, Traffic Violations, Matrimonial, and Family matters, and Corporations. We consider our clients part of our family and promise to treat you as such. When you choose our firm to help you with your case, we promise to give your case the attention it deserves, and you should not expect otherwise from any professional.

LEGAL SERVICES

How Does Divorce Mediation Work?

In divorce mediation, both spouses must meet with a trained, neutral mediator in an informal setting to settle their issues and record the settlement in an agreement. After the couple has prepared the agreement, they can file an “uncontested” divorce with the court. The court often fast-tracks uncontested cases since everything has already been worked out in advance. In this case, judges can finalize the divorce within a few months. In that case, see if a matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY, can help you!

A mediator can help you and your spouse agree on the issues that need the resolution to finalize a divorce. Important decisions such as child custody, child support, and property division may need to be settled in mediation.  Mediators do not make decisions or offer legal advice. They simply serve as facilitators to help the divorcing spouses reach an agreement best for their situation.

Benefits of Divorce Mediation At Matrimonial Law Firm in Suffolk County NY

Settling a divorce through a matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY is a better route for many couples for several reasons. 

• Mediation costs much less than a trial. 
• Mediation is confidential, so there will be no public record of what goes on in your sessions. 
• Mediation allows you to resolve issues based on your own ideas and wants rather than have a solution imposed on you in a legal setting. 
• You can still use a lawyer for advice in mediation. 
• You and your spouse control the process, not the court. 

Mediating your divorce rather than litigating it can serve couples in many ways for different reasons. It can be less time-consuming and stressful for many people. 

The Divorce Mediation Process: Matrimonial Law Firm in Suffolk County NY

Although each mediator has their style, there is a general process of divorce at a matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY. Before mediation, you will provide background information to the mediator or an assistant. Things like your marriage, family, and issues in your divorce should be noted. The mediator may have you write a “mediation statement,” which outlines your information and the issues you want to resolve in the divorce process. 

During mediation, you might be in the same room as your spouse for the entire mediation or spend time in separate rooms for private discussions. For those using an attorney, the mediator might want to meet with each side privately before starting the session. You and your spouse will decide what you do and don’t agree on. After negotiations, the mediator will write an agreement. The settlement agreement will only include the topics that were resolved during this mediation. If there are topics that were not settled, you will have to find some type of agreement or go to court for a hearing. Some mediators will help you file your divorce paperwork, while others do not. If the court approves your settlement agreement, it will become part of the final divorce decree. Then, the terms of the agreement are enforceable. 

Matrimonial Law Firm in Suffolk County NY

If you want to take the mediation route for your divorce, Gulotta & Gulotta can settle your agreement. For a matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY, contact us today!

Can Child Custody Be Changed After A Divorce?

Child custody is not always set in stone. After a divorce, it is possible to change and modify child custody. Those changes will either be made mutually or via a court order. If a significant reason is in the child’s best interest, a judge will approve requests for modification. Call Gulotta & Gulotta today for a matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY. Our office is conveniently located on Ocean Avenue in Ronkonkoma. Continue to read more to learn more about child custody modifications.

Why Would a Judge Change Custody? 

For a judge to approve a child custody change or modification, there usually needs to be significant evidence that the change is in the child’s best interest. For example, if one parent has violated a previous court agreement, a judge may approve a change in the custody agreement. 

Things such as physical relocation or a change in the situation, either of the parent or child, may result in a need for a change in child custody. Child abuse, neglect, or others can result in a loss of custody. In addition, increasing instability in one parent, whether it be abuse issues, mental health difficulties, or others, the child custody agreement can change. A matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY can help a judge understand your situation and need for a custody modification. 

Does It Need To Be Done In Court? 

Parents can agree to voluntarily change custody without a court order; although this change will not be legally recognized. Therefore, all obligations agreed to in the original child custody agreement are still legally enforceable by the court. If you want to ensure that you are legally protected in your custody agreement, it is recommended that your agreement be approved by a judge. 

Do You Need A Lawyer to Change A Child Custody Agreement? 

It is possible to modify a child custody agreement without a lawyer. However, that would not be in your best interest. These legal cases are often complex and have major implications for you and your child. 

Having a child custody lawyer can help you focus on what’s best for your child. A matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY is trained to create optimal custody arrangements. Child custody attorneys understand the situation at hand and how to effectively present them to a court. 

Expertise For Your Child Custody Case 

At Gulotta & Gulotta, we treat you like family and take your case seriously. We have the knowledge, experience, and legal expertise that you need to win in a family court. If you are looking for the best matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY, look no further. Contact us today for your free legal consultation! 

What Are Visitation Rights?

 A matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY, just a few short miles from Ronkonkoma, can help you with visitation rights. Visitation rights are when the court grants sole custody to one of the parents; the non-custodial parent maintains the right to see and visit the child, absent extraordinary circumstances. This is a given right by the court to the non-custody parent, allowing them to see their children after they lose custody in a divorce dispute. Parents, siblings, half-siblings, and grandparents can request visitation rights. The court will determine whether allowing that visitation would be in the child’s best interest. Other family members such as step-parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are not allowed to request visitation rights.

If you want to create a fair custody arrangement and visitation schedule, you will need to find a matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY, located close to Ronkonkoma, that will be able to fight for your rights in court. Here at Gulotta & Gulotta, we understand the importance of this decision since it can have an impact on a child’s development. The agreement will be tailored to fit your family’s needs to hopefully support a healthy relationship with everyone involved while maintaining stability for the child. 

The court may limit visitation rights in the best interest of the child. This normally happens if there have been issues of domestic violence or unsafe living arrangements. Some limits on visitation could include:

• Supervised visits: if the court suspects danger, you will not be allowed around your child unsupervised
• Therapeutic supervised visits: a mental health professional will supervise the visitation in an attempt to improve your parenting skills
• A neutral place of exchange: a safe location might be requested if the court suspects that the transfer of children from one parent to another is emotionally or physically dangerous for the child
• Monitored transfer: if the transfer of your child is suspected to be emotionally or physically dangerous, the court amt order a third party to be in the presence of the transfer
• Denial of visitation: if you are causing harm to the child, the court may deny visitation rights

Contact Us: Suffolk County Divorce Lawyer on Long Island

The matrimonial law firm in Suffolk County NY that you choose, located close to just one town over from Ronkonkoma, must always have your child’s best interest in mind. It is important to make it as smooth a transition as possible without causing any emotional or physical damage to your child. Contact us today!

*Prior Results Do Not Guarantee Future Outcomes* 

What Is the Difference Between Divorce and Separation?    

Divorce and separation are two legal concepts often used interchangeably, but they are quite different. When a couple decides to end their marriage, they can choose between divorce or separation, depending on their individual circumstances. If you’re going through a divorce or separation in Suffolk County, NY, it’s important to understand the difference between the two and seek the advice of a knowledgeable divorce attorney to help you navigate this complex process.

What Is Divorce?

Divorce is a legal process that officially ends a marriage. In a divorce, a court will divide property and assets, determine child custody and support, and make decisions about alimony or spousal support. In order to file for divorce in the state of New York, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least two years.

Types of Divorce

Two types of divorce in New York State are contested and uncontested. A contested divorce means that the couple cannot agree on the terms of the divorce and must go to court to have a judge decide. An uncontested divorce means that the couple agrees on all the terms and can file a joint petition for divorce.

What Is Separation?

Separation is an agreement between a married couple to live apart from each other. Separation does not legally end a marriage but establishes the terms for living separately. In a separation agreement, the couple can determine how assets and property will be divided, how child custody and support will be handled, and if any spousal support will be paid.

Difference Between Divorce and Separation

The main difference between divorce and separation is that divorce officially ends a marriage, while separation does not. In a separation, the couple is still legally married and cannot marry another person until the divorce is finalized. In addition, separation can be used as a trial period to see if the couple can reconcile and work on their issues before making the final decision to divorce.

Why You Need a Divorce Lawyer

Going through a divorce or separation can be emotionally and financially stressful. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side to represent your best interests and guide you through the legal process. A knowledgeable divorce lawyer in Suffolk County, NY, can provide quality legal representation for any family law matter, including complex divorce and family law issues, contested divorce, and divorce and custody matters.

Choosing the Right Matrimonial Law Firm in Suffolk County, NY

When choosing a law office to handle your divorce or family law matter, selecting a firm with experience in this field is important. Look for a firm concentrating in divorce and family law, with attorneys voted as best divorce lawyer in Suffolk County or listed as best divorce attorney serving long island. An experienced and highly effective family law and divorce law firm can provide the legal counsel and representation you need to achieve the best outcome in your case. Divorce and separation are two legal concepts that can be difficult to navigate without experienced legal counsel. Whether you’re filing for divorce or seeking a separation agreement, choosing a family law attorney serving Suffolk County, NY, with the knowledge and experience to provide effective legal representation is important. With the right lawyer, you can be sure that your family law matter is in good hands, and that you’re on the path to a brighter future.