When ACS Targets Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Protecting Families in Brooklyn and Across New York
By George M. Gilmer, Esq., Brooklyn Family Law Attorney & New York ACS Defense Attorney
Parents raising children with developmental disabilities already navigate challenges that require patience, advocacy, and perseverance. Unfortunately, in Brooklyn and throughout New York, these challenges can sometimes be compounded by unwarranted investigations by the Administration...
Can I Get Another Hearing If My Kids Were Removed Months Ago? How to Request a New 1028 Hearing in a New York ACS Case
When ACS removes your children and places them in foster care, you have the right to a prompt emergency hearing—called a 1028 hearing—to argue for their return. But what if you already lost your 1028 hearing months ago, and now things have changed? Can you ask the judge for another hearing?
Does the Interstate Compact Apply to My Out-of-State Family Member? New Rules for Custody Transfers in Brooklyn Family Court
When children are placed in foster care due to ACS involvement, many relatives from other states step up to help. But in the past, transferring custody to out-of-state family members could take months due to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).
A new ruling by New...
Brooklyn & New York Paternity Lawyer – Protecting Fathers’ Rights in Family Court
How to Get a DNA Test in New York — and When the Court Can Say No
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When a child is born outside of marriage in New...
Do I Have a Right to a Hearing Before the Judge Limits My Visitation in a Brooklyn Family Court Article 10 Case?
When parents are accused of abuse or neglect in a Family Court proceeding in Brooklyn or throughout New York State under Article 10 of the Family Court Act, the impact can be swift and severe. Even before a trial is held, judges often issue orders which result in limiting or suspending visitation...
Can ACS Keep Filing New Allegations After Losing in Court? Understanding Double Jeopardy Like Protections in New York Neglect Cases
You just won your Article 10 neglect case in New York Family Court. The judge dismissed the petition because ACS didn’t have enough evidence. But a few weeks later, you receive a new petition — and the allegations look eerily similar.
Is ACS allowed to come after you again...
Mandated Reporter Reform in New York: Protecting Children with Disabilities from Misinterpreted Neglect
In November 2023, New York passed a law with profound implications for child abuse investigations—especially for families of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Chapter 646 of the Laws of 2023 amends Social Services Law §§ 413 and 421, requiring the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to update its mandated...
Forensic Evaluators in Custody Cases: New York’s Push for Domestic Violence-Informed Practice
In custody and visitation cases in New York Family Court, the opinions of forensic evaluators can carry tremendous weight. These evaluators—typically psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers—are appointed by the court to assess the mental health of the parties, the needs of the children, and each parent’s capacity to provide safe and appropriate...
Unwed Fathers and Adoption in New York: A Shift Toward Fairness in Public Adoption Cases
In New York State, the rights of unwed fathers have long been the subject of complex and often contentious legal battles, especially in the context of public adoptions. Recent amendments to Domestic Relations Law § 111 and Social Services Law §§ 383-c and 384-b, codified under Chapter 828 of the Laws of...
The Psychological Impact of Divorce on Children: What Every Brooklyn, NY Family Law Attorney Should Know
By George M. Gilmer, Esq. – Brooklyn, NY Custody Lawyer
As a New York family law attorney, I have represented countless families navigating the painful process of divorce and custody disputes. One of the most difficult but essential aspects of this work is understanding the emotional and psychological toll...