Personal injury and negligence attorneys in New York will frequently advise that you have a right to sue for damages, including lost wages, as a result of injuries incurred due to the negligence of others. Of course, every situation is different, so it is important to provide the New York personal injury lawyer with the complete details and circumstances about your situation.

Leading New York personal injury lawyers will also advise that you should look some tips on how to win your personal injury case and help you on the road to physical and financial recovery.

1. Make a diary of the events surrounding the accident as soon as you are able to do so. This will help you recollect the events that led to the personal injuries you have sustained. Your narrative can be used in case you want to file a personal injury case against the person responsible for the injury.

2. Quantify everything you have suffered – Always make a note of the money you had to expend as a result of the injury. It can be the amount spent for medicine or for medical checkups. It can also be the salary lost during the days when you could not go to the office and work because of the personal injury you have sustained.

3. Maintain contact with people who were in the same accident -Try to get the contact numbers of the people who figured in the same accident as they may be worthwhile witnesses that will help you win your personal injury case later on. There might be a chance of strengthening all your cases taken together even if you suffered different personal injuries as a result of that accident. You will also be able to ask these people some information which you may be tasked to produce at a later date.

4. Always hold on to your evidence – Remember that you will only be able to file for compensation for the personal injuries suffered if you can prove that they resulted from the accident. And you need evidence to prove your assertions. Whatever evidence you have you should keep, because you never know when they might be useful.

5. Notify the person or company who should be liable for the personal injury – It is better to notify the person or the people concerned about your intention of filing a personal injury case against them. In some cases this will help speed up the case because some people do not want to be disturbed and so they are willing to negotiate the amount they have to pay without going to any trouble at all.

6. Get hold of possible witnesses – Witnesses are always a welcome factor to any personal injury case. Getting possible witnesses to witness for you can help you win your personal injury case so make sure you know these witnesses and then you know how to contact them if they will be needed. Sometime it is better to get sworn affidavits from these witnesses in case you have a problem locating them later on.

7. Get a New York personal injury lawyer who will help you win your personal injury case. The personal injury attorney will have more experience handling personal injury cases and he can give you a lot of advice concerning your case. A lawyer will also help you to get the necessary documents that will be required as proof in your personal injury case.

8. Observe the statute of limitations – This refers to the specific amount of time allowed by law for a case to be filed and prosecuted. There are cases which can no longer be filed after a certain period. Inform your lawyer immediately about the facts of the case and when it happened so he can give you an advice on this.

9. Compile all the necessary documents you can get hold of. You should compile all documents which you think is connected to your personal injury case even before you decide to file the case. The best time to get hold of those documents is when there is no case yet because there is no reason why these documents will be destroyed or kept by concerned persons. Just collate them and then use them if you decide to file a personal injury case.

10. Report the incident or accident to the authorities-Going to the authorities will always be the best tip because it will ensure your safety if you are in danger from the person who inflicted the personal injury. Records of the report will also help you win your personal injury case later on because they become public documents with a sense of validity.

Any personal injury caused by another may be the basis of a compensation claim. If you have suffered physical, emotional or even psychological injuries as a result of an incident or accident then follow these tips to help you win your personal injury case.

For further information, visit http://www.ketoverlaw.com/personal.html or call 877-703-2000 for immediate assistance.

Advocating for the custody of your children is not only emotionally-wrenching, but can have life-long effects on the well-being of your children.

According to a leading Long Island New York child custody attorney, there are two types of custody. Physical custody is the actual physical possession and control of a child (a person under 18 years old). It refers to the person with whom the child lives, either all of the time or part of the time.

Legal custody is the right to make major decisions about the child, which typically include educational, religious, and medical decisions.

A parent can receive sole custody of a child or parents can get shared custody. Shared custody is supposed to give the child frequent and continuing contact with and physical access to both parents. The judge can order shared custody if one or both parents ask for it or the parents agree to it or the judge decides that it is in the best interest of the child.

A parent can also be granted partial custody, which is when a non- custodial parent has the right to have the child live with him/her for a certain period of time.

When the judge issues a custody order, it will also address visitation, in addition to legal and physical custody issues. Visitation is the right for the non-custodial parent to visit with the child.

What’s the difference between partial custody and visitation?

Someone with visitation has the right to visit the child, but not the right to remove the child from the custodial parent’s control.

Supervised visitation is the chance to visit with the child while in the presence of a third party that watches the interaction between the parent and child and reports back to the judge. Supervised visitation centers are not widely available. Where they do exist, visitation takes place at the facility, with staff on duty to observe and to help address safety concerns a relative or friend may also oversee supervised visitation. For example, a father might have supervised visitation of his child at his sister’s house, with his sister there to watch. Supervised visitation is only ordered in extreme cases.

Unlike visitation, someone with partial custody of a child has the right to take possession of a child, away from the custodial parent, for a certain period of time. For example, a parent may be awarded partial physical custody of a child for certain days during the week.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting a custody order?

There may be advantages to obtaining a custody order, including:

-          Gaining access to your child if the other parent has control of the child;

-          Having a fixed custody schedule (telling each parent when they can visit and/or take

-          possession of the child) enforceable by the judge;

-          The right to make legal decisions about your child; and

-          The right to have your child live with you.

Without a custody order, it is possible that you may not have these legal rights, even if you’re the parent that takes care of the child every day. But if you file for custody, the other parent may also request these rights and it will be up to the judge to decide.

If a court order is disobeyed by one party, the other party has the right to file a “Petition for Contempt”. If the Judge finds that a party has disobeyed a court order, the Judge can put the party in jail and/or fine him or her, can order that party to pay the other side’s attorney fees, and can order the misbehaving party to post a bond as a guarantee that the contempt will not happen again.

There are also many reasons people choose not to get a custody order from a court. Some people decide not to get a custody order because they don’t want to get the courts involved. These people may have an informal agreement with the other parent that works well for them, or they may think that going to court will result in the other parent being awarded more custody or visitation rights than they are comfortable with. If you decide not to get a custody order, you and the other parent likely have an equal right to make decisions and decide on living arrangements. The exception to this is when paternity has not been established by an unmarried father.

A New York child custody lawyer can help you evaluate whether getting a custody order is best under your particular circumstances.

Visit http://www.familylegalhelp.net or call 877-703-2000 for immediate assistance.

If you’ve been charged in New York with a major drug offense, you’ll want to speak to a New York criminal lawyer immediately to begin preparing your defense. The end result of being convicted for a felony drug offense can affect you for the rest of your life. Not only are you confronted with possible jail time, and fines, but you will also carry with you a criminal history that can prevent you from obtaining a good job, renting a home, and more. If you’re incarcerated, you might lose your family, your marriage, your job, and your home.

Experienced Criminal Defense Representation

Remember that experience matters when you are selecting a New York criminal attorney who is going to help fight any criminal drug charges that you are facing. It doesn’t matter if you are facing New York State felony criminal drug charges or federal charges, as with international drug trafficking. The laws that govern drug crimes are complex and are best left with a criminal lawyer that has dealt with these types of offenses in the past.

The most common drug charges include:

• The cultivation of a controlled substance

• Distributing illegal drugs

• Being involved in drug trafficking

• Operating a meth lab

• Possession of drugs

• Sale or distribution of a controlled substance

• Caught in trafficking of any controlled substance

• Transportation of a controlled substance

Should you be found guilty of a New York criminal offense that is drug related, it is possible to end up with a long prison sentence. This will happen even if it is your first offense. If you have committed a drug offense within particular proximity to a playground or school the penalties and sentencing can be enhanced. If you’re a resident alien, your felony drug charge can bring about you being deported. When you are a parent, being charged because of a drug crime may cause social services to take away your sons or daughters out of your care.

What You Should Do When Arrested For a Drug Crime

It is usually frightening to be investigated for a drug crime, and even scarier to get arrested on drug related charges. But everything you do and say throughout the investigation and when being interrogated by prosecutors and investigators can dramatically affect the results of your case. It is crucial that you make sure you stay relaxed when you’re facing a drug charge. Don’t consent to the search of your property or vehicle, even if it will make you look like you are hiding something. Do not ever resist arrest since this will simply make everything worse when your bond is being set. Above all else, never supply a statement to anyone, including the police, until you’ve gotten the opportunity to consult with your criminal attorney. It’s important that your chosen attorney is present for all phases of the criminal process, including questioning, so your best interests can be represented and to be sure that none of your rights are being violated.

It is very important to remember that not all offenders faced with a drug related crime become incarcerated for the offense. Your Long Island criminal lawyer will evaluate your own personal situation and what happened within your offense and can prepare a defense strategy that can allow you to qualify for diversion programs which could stop you from serving time in jail, including drug abuse programs, deferred entry of judgment, and approved treatment programs. Frequently, the completion of your drug rehab program can remove the notation of the drug charge from a permanent record. In addition, the courts often offer options to jail like electronic home monitoring, work release, work furlough, private or paid jail, and sober living situations.

You need to get in contact with your criminal lawyer to go over your case immediately following your arrest. If you delay in seeking legal counsel and discussing your case, it can have a very detrimental influence on the way your case turns out. Visit http://www.criminaljusticeny.com or call 877-703-2000 for immediate assistance.

Joshua Ketover

It’s an essential fact that risks and laws are involved just about with every type of New York business, whether the business is new or an established one. To solve business legal issues through trial and discussion is the mission and work of the New York business litigation lawyer. Any dispute related to your personal, public or civil situation can be resolved with the help of an experienced New York litigation lawyer. Litigation is a term used to describe all of the legal steps involved in settling a controversy between two or more parties. Unfortunately, there are instances when you are not able to protect your rights as a business owner and have to sue for damages. In such situations, it has become very important to choose the right representative for your legal affairs.

While selecting the right New York litigation attorney for your business transactions, it is important to feel comfortable working with that person. The complexity in business deals occurring today makes it really crucial to have an expert New York business attorney. These lawyers are proficient in analyzing the business and its functions, are capable of handling contract negotiations and preparation, are aware of rules and regulations of the federal and state securities, including New York State, buy and sell agreements between the parties, can manage business disputes and civil law and have a good understanding of Internet laws, copyrights and trademarks of the business organizations.

Retaining a business lawyer can sometimes be a complex and confusing process as selecting the right candidate for your legal issues involves a lot of discussions and matters related to your business concerns. You should talk with many people and friends before making a choice.

A Long Island business litigation lawyer must be aware of your business legal issues and should be diligent in their work. According to prominent New York business attorney Joshua Ketover, it is useful to get a recommendation from a close friend, relative or a colleague.  It is important to remember that every legal situation varies.

For additional information about New York business litigation representation, visit http://www.corporatelegalhelpny.com or call them at 877-703-2000.

Joshua Ketover

New York family lawyers are equipped to deal with a wide variety of family legal issues all of the time. The most experienced New York family law attorneys can counsel their clients how to legal solve difficult and challenging situations as fast as possible.

Many of these situations are full of emotion – child custody disputes, emotional and physical abuse, marriage dissolution due to financial pressures, and related issues.  The family law attorney offering family legal help in New York is especially sensitive to these difficult situations.

Family legal help attorney Joshua Ketover in Garden City, New York points out that child custody cases are among the most difficult. If you’re going through a child custody case, there are some key steps to help you prepare an effective case:

1. Identify what you want.

Sit down and write out what you want from this child custody case. Are you seeking joint custody, sole custody, or full custody of your child?

Regardless of what type of custodial arrangement you are seeking, take time to think about it and write down the reasons why you feel you deserve what you are requesting. If you think your child’s father or mother doesn’t deserve joint custody, write down those reasons also.

Mr. Ketover says that, by identifying what you want and why, you can create a clear legal position that will help you achieve your legal goals.

2. Identify what is in your child’s best interest.

Some states will require that the judge must decide child custody cases based on the best interest of the child. It is a good exercise in objectivity to think about what this means for your child. The judge will be seeking out what is in your child’s best interest and if you can come to court with a legal position that takes this into consideration, you will be one step ahead.

3. Build a visitation plan.

What type of visitation plan will be in your child’s best interest? Take some time and write it down. Whatever you come up with can become the foundation for building a good visitation plan for your child.

4. Build a legal team.

Who is on your legal team? Do you have a good New York family lawyer who can defend your legal rights in court?

In a New York child custody case, it’s best to have a lawyer on your side. For those of you who are contemplating using only a paralegal or legal document preparer, think again. It’s in the best interest of a child custody case to have a skilled attorney available who can protect your rights and be an effective advocate for what is n your child’s best interest.

5. Prepare for a child custody evaluation.

If the judge orders a child custody evaluation in your case, take time to prepare for it. A good question to ask yourself is: do you have a good, healthy relationship with your child? As you evaluate your relationship with your child, keep what’s working and work on the areas that need improvement. You might find you need to work on communication, a bedtime schedule, or even better eating habits.

There are many important considerations that enter in these cases. For additional information, visit http://www.familylegalhelp.net or call 877-703-2000.

Dealing With Victims of New York Domestic Violence

New York criminal lawyers are very familiar with domestic violence cases. It’s much more common than many would think, and the situation is often complicated by the abused spouse’s reluctance to see the legal process through to completion.

There is so much at stake. Injuries are obviously far too common, and, in the more extreme situations, murder occurs. The experienced New York criminal lawyer is sensitive to the risks, needs and fears of the person victimized.

Many of these situations are complex and multifaceted. Meanwhile, it’s a fact that every day a number of health care professionals have to encounter an incident in New York of an abused victim turning to them to request help.

But New York criminal lawyers will point out that, even of you are not a trained professional, you should be familiar with what domestic violence is and its potential impact on the wrongfully accused. Then you will be better prepared to react correctly in case you encounter such an unfortunate incident. Helping the victim regain a sense of control over his or her life should not be your responsibility if you are not a trained professional, but being informed can sometimes save a victim from keeping everything within and eventually self-destruct.

Domestic violence is characterized as a pattern of coercive behaviors that might include repeated battering and injury, psychological abuse, sexual assault, progressive social isolation, deprivation and intimidation. Someone who is or was involved in an intimate relationship with the victim might perpetrate these behaviors. According to official data from law enforcement units and medical institutions, gender plays an important role in dynamics of abuse. Over 85 percent of reported victims of domestic violence are women and most perpetrators are men. Moreover, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women of all ages and the leading cause of injury to pregnant women and ladies between 18 and 44 years of age.

On the other hand, domestic violence is also known as “partner violence or spouse abuse,” since experts recognize that also men can be abused in intimate relationships. Regardless, domestic violence is a real problem, which needs to be dealt with seriously. In addition, many of today’s societies report domestic violence incidents between gay or lesbian partners, since this type of intimidating behavior is not a characteristic of a specific sexual orientation. Physical assault, sexual abuse, threats against person, creating stress and psychological damage to children or loved ones, destruction of home or personal property, is some of the most common cases reported as examples of domestic violence incidents.

Unfortunately, although this is real and serious problem, some will try and manipulate the legal system to place pressure on someone in a divorce or custody case by exacting some type of misguided revenge for a perceived incident of wrong doing. This is done by fabricating an incident and wrongfully accusing someone of domestic violence. This is when it is especially important to retain a criminal lawyer who can help defend you when you are wrongfully accused or if someone is attempting to manipulate the system against you.

It’s a fact that domestic violence is a serious crime. People who lie about being victimized, however, only make it more difficult for the real victims of domestic violence to find justice.

When one considers the potential risks to life and limb, and loss of freedom for the wrongfully accused, it is imperative to consult with a New York criminal lawyer for experienced counsel and effective representation.

Any business owner, CEO or corporate officer doing business in New York knows that there is always a risk of a business dispute or disagreement, resulting in business litigation. Business relationships can sometimes deteriorate to the point where one party or another is being sued. These business disputes might involve distribution of profits (assets and property), account usage, liability, authority, profit sharing, classification of personal assets verse partnership contributions and general discrepancies. An experienced New York business litigation attorney will have the experience required to counsel on many different types of business disputes and situations, including but not limited to shareholder derivative lawsuits, breach of contract actions and collections.

Of course, it is always advisable when possible to strive for an agreement before going to court but sometimes this does not happen. It might be due to the actions of one side, or the other, being unreasonable in its demands or perhaps not responding to any attempts to settle the dispute. When faced with these situations, experienced New York business litigation attorneys provide the best protection.

Risks and laws are involved with every type of business, whether the business is new or an established one. To solve the legal matters through trial and discussion is the work of the New York business litigation lawyer. Any dispute related to your personal, public or civil matters could be resolved with the help of a litigation lawyer. Litigation is a term used to describe all of the legal steps involved in settling a controversy between two or more parties. There are instances when you are not able to protect your rights as a business owner and have to sue for damages. In such situations, it has become very important to choose the right person for your legal affairs.

While selecting the right commercial litigation attorney for your business deals, it is important to consider checking the past records of the person you want to handle your legal matters. The complexity in business deals occurring today makes it really significant to have an expert business attorney. New York commercial lawyers are proficient in analyzing the business and its functions, are capable of handling contract negotiations and preparation, are aware of rules and regulations of the federal and state securities, buy and sell agreements between the parties, can manage business disputes and civil law and have a good understanding of Internet laws, copyrights and trademarks of the business organizations.

Before proceeding with any course of action, consult with a New York business litigation attorney. Visit http://www.corporatelegalhelpny.com or call 877-703-2000 for further information.

Leading New York Real Estate Attorneys in both Residential and Commercial real estate are still dealing with large caseloads due to the foreclosure crisis. The most experienced attorneys in the area have represented both buyers and sellers, providing the most cost effective services in real estate transactions.

It’s not unusual for a New York real estate lawyer to provide full-service real estate services, including reviewing and drafting Contracts of Sale, Leases, Commercial, Residential and Bank Closings, Landlord/Tenant and Litigation. One leading New York Real Estate Attorney pointed out to us recently hat they will handle the real estate transaction from the beginning to the end in a professional manner, always keeping the client abreast and always available to answer questions.

This has become an all to common situation: Buying a house you couldn’t afford, accepting a subprime mortgage from a lender, losing your job, or experiencing health problems are just a few of the reasons that people can end up in foreclosure. Regardless of the reason for their money troubles, thousands of people are losing their homes, damaging their credit, and facing the possibility of homelessness. While foreclosure can clearly have a huge impact on economic health, they can also threaten a person’s mental well-being. Depression, anxiety disorders, divorce, and violence are just some of the more insidious aftershocks that can be felt in communities all around the country.

As New York homeowners struggle to cover their mortgage payments, utility bills, childcare costs and food bills, the accompanying tension and anxiety can wear down a person’s ability to cope. Prolonged periods of stress and hardship can quickly turn into an anxiety disorder or to full-blown depression.

Depression is often characterized by physical and mental fatigue, lack of ambition, sadness, and worst of all-hopelessness. This lack of hope can make it extremely difficult to look at one’s situation with a clear head. Feelings of shame and failure can overwhelm a person and convince her that the situation will never get better. Negative thoughts can ambush her psyche, dispensing blame and criticism at every turn. She may think, “I failed. “Here’s proof that I can’t take care of myself. I’m a disappointment and a loser.”

Depression can also cause inaction. If a person has lost her job or has other personal problems mounting on top of the foreclosure, she may simply stop trying to pick up the pieces, and let the dark cloud wash over her. Her destructive thoughts will inhibit her ability to deal with her problems head-on. If she needs to find a better paying job or look for a place to live, the task may seem monumental. This paralysis inevitably leads to worse financial problems, leading to lower self-esteem. Her reduced self esteem only makes it that much harder to move onward and upward, and so the cycle continues.

There’s also embarrassment and the feeling that no one will want to help her. Believing that she doesn’t deserve to be helped, she doesn’t contact the bank for assistance. She then misses the window of opportunity to save her home.

Along with depression, struggling New York homeowners may find themselves turning to food, alcohol or drugs to deal with the stress. Others will turn to gambling with the hopes that they will win enough money to get the house back. These self-destructive behaviors of course only exacerbate the problem, and can have a huge impact on families.

Anxious children, marital spats, separation, and divorce are all common side effects of the foreclosure problem. Unfortunately, things can escalate quite quickly from partners simply blowing off steam, to full-on domestic violence.

As the number of foreclosures continues to rise, the number of abuse cases quickly follow suit. One national survey has cited “financial issues” as a major contributing factor to the increase in violence in homes across America, and Brian Narney from the National Network to End Domestic Violence said that the financial stress in an economic crisis is “not a cause of domestic violence, but it can intensify it.”

While some people turn their frustration outward, others turn on themselves. With no hope on the horizon, some homeowners choose to end their own lives rather than endure any more pain.

There have already been a few cases of suicide attempts among homeowners facing foreclosure, including a 91 year old woman from Ohio who shot herself before facing eviction. There was also an Oregon couple that was days away from losing their home when they killed themselves and their three dogs via carbon monoxide poisoning.

A study conducted in Australia has determined that “economic trends are closely associated with suicide risk, with men showing a heightened risk of suicide in the face of economic adversity.” A California psychologist also noted that “one’s house is very much a projection of one’s self. To have a home taken away is tantamount to having part of yourself taken away.”

The picture is indeed bleak, but it doesn’t have to be. There are legal options available for New York homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments, such as refinancing or getting an extension on their loan. If you’re facing possible foreclosure, it’s critical that you contact your lender right away. It is also advisable to consult an experienced and competent New York real estate attorney for prompt, professional counsel. You’ll be glad you did.

New York construction accidents continue to occur, requiring that injured workers seek and retain experienced and competent New York attorneys experienced with construction accident litigation.

If there is any job that conceals a minefield of danger and risk, it’s construction work. Every year, thousands are seriously injured or killed in construction accidents on construction sites. And while many precautions have been put into place to protect workers, construction accidents continue to be the number one cause of job-related deaths in America.

An astounding 1 out of every 10 workers will get injured this year. This is when you need a New York Construction Accident Attorney. They are capable of providing large amounts of money that can be won in a lawsuit. Hastily constructed scaffolding, improperly braced cranes and falls from high places contribute greatly to this high accident rate. In New York, as in other big cities, economic pressure to get buildings up faster and faster is only making matters worse. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that there will be 1000 work-related deaths nationwide this year in the construction industry. In fact, this trend is so alarming that after ten workers died in seventeen months in Las Vegas construction accidents, Congress is reviewing whether OSHA’s policies are not only adequate, but are being followed.

New York Construction Accident Attorneys are seeing more devastating cases emerge from on-site accidents. Burns, amputations, spinal injuries, asphyxiation due to faulty ventilation, falls, blindness and head injuries are only a few of the catastrophic construction accidents that can put victims out of work, sometimes permanently. Others face a lifetime regimen of medication and/or weeks or months of rehabilitation. During that time, their families are often without income.

It is the responsibility of the construction site’s General Contractor and his subcontractors to assure the safety of their workers, maintaining a workplace as free of potential hazards as possible and to supervise on-site work situations. This, unfortunately, isn’t always the case. Construction accidents are often caused by negligent General Contractors or Contractors who’ve abdicated supervision to negligent sub-contractors. Ben Howland, a drywall hanger in California, was walking across his job site when a bobcat carrying an unbalanced load of drywall broke, and dropped the load on him. He was left paralyzed, unemployable and devastated. His Construction Accident Attorney proved that negligent supervision by the subcontractor and a badly maintained forklift was to blame for the accident. Ben collected $2.5 million.

Third party negligence plays a growing part in on-site construction accidents. Even with the best supervision, faulty third-party equipment, i.e.: damaged scaffolding, heavy equipment not adequately maintained, or faulty power tools – may cause an unforeseen accident. Negligent, third parties may also, according to law, assume partial responsibility. An expert construction accident attorney can untangle the liability of third party negligence for you if you have suffered such an accident.

Not only construction workers fall under this shadow of injury. Visitors to a job site or innocent passers-by who suffer injury or death fall under this same rule of law. A perfect example of this happened recently in New York City when a crane toppled off the roof of a building under construction and nearly demolished a building across the street, killing several people and injuring others. These victims had nothing whatsoever to do with the construction site, but were victims of negligence of the general contractor, product safety issues and other third party negligence still to be decided in court.

When construction site negligence contributes to accidents, there is liability and a worker can sue for extensive personal injury damages.

Visit http://www.nyinjuryfirm.net for further information.

Joshua Ketover

New York family legal help can create complex and emotional issues for the New York lawyers and their clients who deal regularly with these situations. Issues concerning separation, divorce and especially child custody are never easy.

Soon-to-be divorced Dads have it especially difficult. In most states, there is a propensity toward child custody tilting toward the Mother in many situations. So, what’s the answer?

It’s a fact that the most effective divorced dads prepare well in advance with the expert assistance of legal counsel before appearing in Family Court.

Consider this:

 Going to Family Court can be a gamble. But, if you’re experienced with the game, you will know the difference between good and bad bets. The same principle that keeps you from losing your shirt in Vegas, will keep you out of trouble in Family Court. The most important thing a divorced Dad can do when it come to being prepared for Family Court is to know what goes on there before his case comes before a judge. 

If you’re not familiar with Family Court–the building, the facilities and the judges–you’re doing yourself a great disservice. Go and watch Family Court. Many Dads go to Family Court just to get it over and done with. They overlook an important concept. 

The problems you face with the breakdown of your relationship did not happen overnight. It took time to arrive at the point where you ended up in Family Court.

You will also need to face these facts: 

 1. You will be “stuck” in the Family Courts for an indeterminate period of time. 
 2. It’s the only game in town 
3. You MUST “play” according to their rules. 
4. You must play well.

Learn your courthouse, its staff and the judges. Learn how things work in Family Court. Learn whether the paperwork you want to file “upsets” certain clerks and how each particular judge decides things. 
 When divorced Dads understand these principles, they can begin to position themselves well. It’s like watching a ballgame. Study winning teams for strategy. Get a sense of how the referee calls the game. 

Just go into Family Court and watch other cases. You can find and attend open motion hearings that occur each week in Family Court. You would be surprised that after a day of watching the same judge, you can predict with about 90% accuracy how that judge will rule. As you watch people do the same things, you learn why people lose. If nothing else, you will learn when to sit down and to keep quiet.

This article is not intended as legal advice, but is informational. For authoritative information, consult with an experienced New York Family Legal Help attorney in your area.