When Deception Backfires: Appellate Court Reverses Custody Decision in Brooklyn Family Court Case
In a significant appellate decision from the Second Department, Matter of Chaloeicheep v. Hanrahan, 192 A.D.3d 1014 (2d Dept. 2021), the court reversed a Brooklyn Family Court order awarding residential custody to the father, despite serious credibility issues surrounding his conduct. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of truthfulness...
What Is the Difference Between Neglect or Abuse Proceedings in Family Court and Administrative Hearings to Amend an Indicated Report with OCFS?
When someone is accused of child abuse or neglect in New York, it’s crucial to understand which legal process applies—and what’s at stake. At The Gilmer Law Firm PLLC, located in Brooklyn, New York, we represent parents, caregivers, and alleged perpetrators in both Family Court Article 10 proceedings and administrative hearings to...
How do I Get a DNA Test? Can the Court Deny It? Understanding Paternity in New York Family Court
When a child is born outside of marriage, establishing legal fatherhood is not automatic in New York. At the Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, based in downtown Brooklyn, we often assist parents—especially fathers—who are uncertain about their rights, obligations, or next steps when it comes to establishing paternity. One of the most common...
What Is an Acknowledgment of Paternity? What if I don’t sign it? Understanding Your Legal Rights and the Consequences of Signing
An Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) is a voluntary legal document signed by unmarried parents to officially establish the child’s legal father. It’s often presented for signature at the hospital when the child is born. Both parents must sign the form voluntarily. Once...
Can a Non-Parent Get Custody of a Child in New York?
In New York, custody disputes usually occur between parents—but what happens when someone who isn’t a biological or legal parent seeks custody of a child?
At Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, located in Downtown Brooklyn, we often get calls from concerned relatives, former partners, or family friends asking:
Can a Parent Prevent the Other Parent from Moving Out of State With the Children?
At the Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, many Brooklyn parents come to us with urgent questions about relocation and child custody, often asking:
“Can I stop the other parent from moving out of New York with our child?”
The answer is yes—but time is of the essence.
Vacating a Default Order in Brooklyn Family Court: Protecting Your Custody, Visitation, and Support Rights
At the Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, based in Brooklyn, New York, we often represent parents who have missed Family Court hearings and are shocked to learn that they’ve lost custody, visitation, or even had child support orders entered against them by default. Fortunately, under the law, there are ways to vacate default...
When Do I Start Paying Child Support in New York?
One of the most common questions we receive at Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, from non-custodial parents in Brooklyn, New York, is:
“Do I have to pay child support back to the day my child was born?”
The short answer is: No.
In New...
Safe Co-Parenting After Domestic Violence: How Technology Can Empower Brooklyn Families
Navigating co-parenting in the aftermath of domestic violence is one of the most difficult challenges a parent can face. As a Brooklyn Family Court attorney with years of experience representing victims of intimate partner abuse, I have seen firsthand how traditional communication methods—texts, emails, even verbal exchanges—can retraumatize survivors and escalate conflict.
Joint Physical Custody Is Not Guaranteed in New York Family Court
Many parents who walk into Brooklyn Family Court believe that joint physical custody—equal time with the child—is a default starting point in New York custody proceedings. After all, shouldn’t both loving, capable parents get equal time with their children?
Unfortunately, that assumption doesn’t align with New York law or...