Parenting a Child While in Foster Care: Understanding Your Rights and the Support Available in New York City
At The Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, we know that parenting is a challenging responsibility for anyone — and for young parents in foster care, it can be especially complex. Fortunately, New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) has developed extensive policies to ensure that expectant and parenting youth in foster care...
What 2025 New York Custody Cases Teach Parents About Stability, Safety, and Second Chances
Custody cases in New York can be emotionally exhausting. Parents often feel that one mistake or a bad chapter in life could cost them their children forever. But recent appellate decisions from 2025 tell a more balanced story—one focused on safety, stability, and the possibility of second chances.
At The Gilmer Law Firm,...
Why You Need a Brooklyn Custody Attorney: How Neglect, Drug Use, and Domestic Violence Affect Custody in New York
At The Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, our Brooklyn Custody Attorney and Brooklyn Family Law Attorney team has represented parents throughout New York City in complex custody and visitation cases. Custody disputes often involve allegations of neglect, domestic violence, or substance abuse. Understanding how these factors influence the court’s decision under New...
When Grandparents Seek Visitation in New York: Lessons from Matter of Bell v. Bell (2025)
At The Gilmer Law Firm, PLLC, we often receive calls from grandparents who have been cut off from their grandchildren. New York law does recognize the right of grandparents to petition for visitation — but it’s not automatic. The recent Appellate Division decision in Matter of Bell v. Bell (2025 NY Slip...
The “Fair Preponderance” Standard: What ACS Must Prove to Indicate or Unfound a Child Abuse or Maltreatment Report in New York
When the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) investigates a report of child abuse or maltreatment, it must decide whether the report should be indicated or unfounded. That decision depends on a strict legal standard of proof.
Since January 1, 2022, ACS has been required to use a “fair...
Understanding Temporary Orders of Protection in New York Family Court
If you or someone you love has been served with a temporary order of protection in Family Court, it’s essential to know what it means, what it doesn’t mean, and how to respond strategically. A temporary order of protection is not a finding of wrongdoing. It’s a preventive measure designed to protect...
When Accused Under Public Health Law § 2803-d: How New York Administrative Law Attorneys Protect Health-Care Workers
When a nurse, aide, or facility employee is accused of abuse or neglect in a New York residential health-care setting, the stakes could not be higher.
Under Public Health Law § 2803-d, even an allegation of mistreatment can trigger an administrative investigation by the Department of Health (DOH), possible...
How Do I Win My Abuse or Neglect Case in New York Family Court?
Facing an ACS case in Family Court can be overwhelming. Many parents assume the outcome is predetermined once ACS files a petition, but that’s not true. Families win these cases every day. With a knowledgeable ACS defense attorney who understands New York law and procedure, you can achieve dismissal, reunification, or a...
Can my Child Participate in Mediation? Child-Centered Custody Mediation in New York: Building Custody Agreements Around a Child’s Voice
Custody disputes are among the most emotionally difficult experiences for parents—and even more so for children. After more than 20 years of practicing family law in Brooklyn, I have seen how the traditional courtroom process often leaves families emotionally exhausted and children feeling caught in the middle.
Across the...
New York Article 78 Attorney Explains How to Appeal a Department of Health Decision Under Public Health Law § 2803-d
When the New York State Department of Health (DOH) issues a determination under Public Health Law § 2803-d, a nurse, aide, or facility administrator may suddenly find their professional future in jeopardy. The only legal pathway to challenge that determination in court is through a CPLR Article 78 proceeding.
This guide, prepared by...