Fact-Finding Hearings in NY Family Offense Cases: Burden of Proof, Evidence, and Defense Strategies
In a New York Family Court Article 8 family offense case, the key “trial” event is usually the fact-finding hearing - the hearing where the judge decides whether the allegations are proven. If you are defending against an order of protection petition, understanding the burden of proof, what evidence tends to matter,...
Served With a Family Offense Petition in NY Family Court? A Respondent’s Step-by-Step Game Plan Before the First Court Date
If you’ve been served with a family offense petition in New York Family Court, it can feel like everything changed overnight - especially if the paperwork includes a Temporary Order of Protection (TOP). In many cases, a TOP is issued at the outset and can have immediate consequences (housing, contact, parenting time)....
How to Prepare for a Child Custody Case (What Judges Look For + A Practical Checklist)
Custody disputes can feel personal — but courts usually focus on one question: what arrangement best supports the child’s stability, safety, and long-term wellbeing.
If you’re still sorting out the basics, start with legal custody vs. physical custody and common 50/50 custody schedules. Then come back here for a practical, court-ready...
Where Do I File for Custody If We Live in Different States? UCCJEA “Home State” Rule + Emergency Options (New York)
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Interstate custody cases are fact-specific. If you need help with a Brooklyn or New York custody issue, start here: Child Custody (Gilmer Legal).
If you're panicking because your co-parent moved (or is about to move)Right of First Refusal in New York Custody Orders
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Parenting plan language is fact-specific and enforceability depends on the wording in your order. If you need help with a Brooklyn or New York custody or visitation schedule, start here: Child Custody (Gilmer Legal) and Child Visitation (Gilmer Legal).
How to Get an Affordable Custody Attorney in Brooklyn With a Payment Plan
You can find an affordable custody attorney in Brooklyn by focusing on attorneys who offer payment plans, transparent pricing, and early strategy discussions that control costs. The right approach can help you protect your parental rights without paying everything upfront or sacrificing quality representation.
Custody disputes move fast, and...
Can a Parent Withhold Visitation Over Missed Child Support in New York?
A parent in New York generally cannot withhold court-ordered visitation just because the other parent missed child support payments. Child support and visitation are treated as separate legal obligations, and trying to use one to punish the other can lead to serious legal consequences. That rule often surprises parents, especially when they...
Flat Fee Attorney Brooklyn | Limited Scope Attorney Brooklyn (Unbundled Legal Services)
Gilmer Law Firm PLLC • 15 MetroTech Plaza, 7th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 • 718-928-6492
If you are looking for a flat fee attorney in Brooklyn or a limited scope attorney in Brooklyn, you are not alone. New York City is expensive, and traditional retainers for family law and...
Can I Have an Attorney if I’m a Non-Respondent Parent in a New York Neglect Proceeding?
By George M. Gilmer, Esq. | Gilmer Law Firm PLLC | New York City Family Court / ACS Cases
January 31, 2026
Disclaimer: This post is general information about New York Family Court practice. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Proving STI Transmission in a New York Divorce: Medical Records, Timing, and Privacy Concerns
If you are searching for information about STI divorce evidence in New York, you are likely asking a practical question: what proof do courts actually look for?
In New York divorce cases, allegations alone are not enough—especially when a spouse claims that sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission should affect...