January Is National Divorce Month

Did you know January is National Divorce Month? The divorce rates have peaked so high in the past few years that it actually has it’s own month. It seems that as the cold weather rolls in during the month of early January, so does the cold shoulder exchange between spouses.

As the holidays come to an end, evidently so does the good food, parties, and music that fills the air and lifts the spirits of those in the holiday mood. Many people seem to be looking for a fresh new start with the advent of a new calendar year and see January as the perfect month to begin this process. Simonetti & Associates have over 28 years of experience to get you through this process and help guide you into a smooth transition.

The divorce process usually brings along anxiety as it is a change in lifestyle as both parties will be going from surviving on a two-person income to just one income. Of course, there are emotional changes that clients undergo as well as financially as they will often battle between one another for assets. Simonetti & Associates will sit down with their client for a cost-free and no obligation consultation and listen to concerns while discussing all possible options before following through with the process.

Simonetti & Associates value communication as they want the client to transition into this process as smooth as possible. The office provides flexible hours to ensure an attorney is available to their clients at all times. Located in Woodbury, Long Island, Simonetti & Associates understands that the cost to afford a divorce representative can be expensive as well the loss of assets in a divorce if your spouse claims a large majority of shares and investments.

Simonetti & Associates will work with clients to keep costs down and go into trial with the best amount of information available in order to result in the least amount of loss in equity. They are available to their clients as they are compassionate and understanding during this tough time in not only the year but in their clients’ lives.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

New Year, New You. Is It Time to Pull the Plug?

Each year you make plenty of new year’s resolutions that you may (or may not) keep, which usually include something along the lines of exercising more, eating better, and saving money. Why do we set these types of goals? The greatest wish we have for ourselves during the new year is to improve our lifestyles and live life to the fullest. You’ve heard it before: “a new year and a new you”. To become that “new you”, however, requires moving on from bad choices and planning to make better decisions in your life. Maybe that new and improved you can only be achieved by moving on from a bad relationship. How do you know when to pull the plug on your marriage?

You are not alone in thinking the new year might be better off spent alone. January is unofficially known as “divorce month” by many legal professionals. Certain things, such as infidelity, constant fighting, or abusive behavior, are signs that a relationship is over, but there may also be some not so obvious signs that your marriage isn’t working. Here are are some signs you should recognize that might tell you your marriage is over.

Are you noticing that you and your partner have already separated yourselves? Are you not communicating with each other? A relationship coming to an end often creates a disconnect between partners. If you are not spending any time together, and actually find relief having many hours apart, this may be the first sign that the relationship is nearing the end.

Mutual respect is one of the most important aspects of a relationship, and if it is not there, there is no relationships. If you feel like your partner dismisses you, condescends to you, or rejects all your ideas or wishes, these are signs of an unhealthy relationship. Your relationship is likely to become toxic if your marriage is void of respect. If you feel your marriage and relationship with your spouse has gotten to this point, it either has to be fixed immediately or needs to come to an end.

Your marriage should consist of teamwork and problems can arise if there is no compromise. Your spouse should try to meet your needs as well as their own and it may put an end to things if your needs or wishes are not being met because your partner cannot share in these responsibilities. Not being willing to compromise is especially concerning when trying to repair the damage of a broken relationship. If only one partner is doing all the work trying to mend the problems you share, it may be time to ditch the efforts and pull the plug on your marriage.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

Visitation Rights

When a married couple with children decide to get a divorce, the question of physical custody and visitation comes into play. Visitation is one of the most important factors of a divorce, and if a noncustodial parent has been denied visitation by the ex-spouse, or the noncustodial parent can be harmful to the children, Simonetti & Associates can help.

Visitation is determined by the courts in various ways. The focus of the court is for the child or children to have the most normal interaction with the noncustodial parent as possible, but if the custodial parent feels otherwise, they need to present evidence explaining their reasoning to the court. Only under extremely harsh circumstances will the court prevent a parent from receiving any visitation, although restrictions can be set in place.

There are different types of visitation for noncustodial parents in New York State, including unsupervised, supervised, therapeutic supervised, neutral place of exchange, and monitored exchange. Depending on the circumstances, the court will decide which method of visitation will be best for the child and parents in the long run.

If either parent is concerned about the visitation rights, they can try to change a visitation order by petitioning the court to either add or remove certain restrictions. Whether it be a parent with a troubled history that has taken a serious turn in trying to rehabilitate their behavior, or if both parents have agreed to new terms, then they would be able to ask the court for an adjustment of visitation terms.

If you are in the New York area and are looking for help with your custody and visitation questions, Simonetti & Associates will be able to provide a complimentary case evaluation. We have more than 25 years of experience and are more than happy to help solve your problems as quickly and inexpensively as possible.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

Grandparents Rights

Grandparents rights are not given as much attention as parental rights yet it is still an important issue in regards to childcare. You have a right to be a part of your grandchild’s life in some shape or form if your son or daughter is divorced or if the relationship between the parents of your grandchildren is problematic.

You have legal rights if you aren’t given a reasonable amount of time of in-person or virtual communication with your grandchild. The best interest of the child is of utmost priority throughout the United States and rights should be rewarded if you can prove to the courts that your relationship will enhance the child’s life.

In-person communication may not be in the best interest of the child if you perhaps live several hours away, especially if he or she must travel to you, but communication via telephone or over the internet is very reasonable with today’s technology.

Communication with your grandchild can become difficult in cases where your son or daughter is deceased. Grandparent visitation rights are often granted in these cases as the importance of maintaining familial connections can be argued in a court of law.

The outcome may not be so clear in cases where there is some “bad blood” between family members. Parental rights often supercede grandparent rights in many courts, and without careful litigation, a judge may rule in favor of a fit parent’s decision to not allow grandparent visitation. It is extremely important that you have a good lawyer on your side if you plan to ask for grandparent visitation rights,

The delicate nature of family cases can make the process more arduous or put you at a disadvantage if you attempt to go through it alone. As a grandparent, you have a duty to fulfill in the child’s life and it would be in your best interest to seek a lawyer who is both trustworthy and affordable.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

What to look for when picking your divorce attorney

Finding a trustworthy attorney can seem like an arduous process once you are ready to begin the divorce process. The amount of options to choose from can be overwhelming but the process can be much easier if you focus on a few specific aspects that are most important to you!

The first thing to decide is what your goals are when it comes to the divorce. The relationship you have with your soon-to-not-be significant other will determine if it will be a contested or a collaborative divorce. If your marriage is ending on good terms, custody and asset discussions will be conducted much easier than a marriage ending on bad terms. It is critical that you know what you want in regards to assets and child custody at the end of the divorce before you begin the process.

Researching potential attorneys is your next step and you should narrow it down by finding an attorney who is excellently rated and is located near your home or office. It might be best to look elsewhere if you find an attorney online with too many negative reviews.

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, it is recommended that you visit with 2-3 attorneys before you pick your final decision. Schedule a consultation with each attorney to get the opportunity to speak with them. Pay attention to how each attorney behaves and move on if he or she seems untrustworthy or they do not make you feel comfortable. You will be working very closely with your attorney and the only way to form a good partnership is if you are able to get along with him or her.

During your meeting, you should discuss all of the fees you will be responsible for. If this attorney is out of your budget, you will need to find another one that you can afford. Also, during your meeting, if you notice the attorney is distracted, such as has many interruptions or isn’t fully focused on what you are saying, this is not a good sign of things to come. The same goes for an attorney who promises you the world. You want an attorney who is realistic with you on the potential outcomes of your divorce.

Picking the right divorce attorney for you is critical to the success of your divorce. This process does not need to be overwhelming if you just keep these tips in mind.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

Finding a Nassau County Divorce Lawyer

Married couples in Nassau County having issues within their marriage may decide at a certain time that divorce is their best option. Even though divorce is not necessarily a bad choice, it can cause a lot of stress on a person, which is why being able to find the best divorce lawyer on Long Island should be the easiest part.

Divorce lawyers are meant to be there for you as you may not be thinking clearly and you will need the best help there is during this time. The ability to find a local lawyer that is experienced in mediation or collaborative law is something to keep in mind while searching for the best of the best.

Friends and family may be able to help in referring a good divorce attorney in Nassau County, and if so, make sure to schedule an appointment to meet with the attorney first in order to decide on if they are a good fit for you and your situation. In addition to personal references, it is recommended that when searching for a local divorce attorney, check online references in order to find if there had been any recognition given to that law firm and to compare it to other highly regarded firms.

Some people may have some concerns with the cost when searching for the best attorney for their situation. It may be difficult to find an affordable divorce attorney who is also well rounded in their field, so take advantage of the free consultations frequently offered at various locations in Nassau County. The attorneys at Simonetti & Associates were voted Best Divorce Lawyer of 2015 and are able to provide free consultations and assistance regarding mediation and divorce. Do what is best for your situation and call Simonetti & Associates for a consultation today!

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.

When to Reach Out to a Divorce Lawyer

When experiencing marital problems, it is often difficult to tell what your next step should be. Sometimes your issues are fleeting and the marriage can continue on. Sometimes the issues are deeply rooted and cannot be resolved. Whatever the case may be, if issues keep arising, may be time to reflect on your partner and the marriage as a whole.

One of the first factors to examine is the current marital climate. Are you and your partner under a lot of stress due to finances? Are you and your partner grieving from a familial loss? If issues like these are causing tensions to rise, it might be best to first seek counseling whether that be through couples therapy or individual therapy. Marital conflict is normal but if there is deep-seeded resentment toward one another due to a situation, therapy is absolutely necessary.

Another factor to consider is personal growth. Have you or your partner changed as a person since you first fell in love? Sometimes, especially for those who marry at a younger age, people grow apart. Therapy can also be helpful here, but ultimately, if there has been a shift in perspective and in values, continuing the marriage might not be in the best interest for your mental health. As frustrating as this is, it will be in both of your best interests to move on with your lives.

A third major factor to consider is communication. Are you and your partner communicating effectively? Where do communication breakdowns occur most? Sometimes not setting aside the time to communicate a problem effectively can cause confusion and tensions to rise further. You may not be able to control how your partner communicates to you, but you can control how you do as well as help facilitate conversation further. Don’t be accusatory in tone! For example, rather than saying “your spending is putting us into debt”, say “I feel that our spending is getting out of hand. Could we take a look at our monthly budget together so we both are on the same page?” Making the problem a shared problem, rather than pointing a finger not only addresses the issue, but helps strengthen the idea that you both are members of a team.

Do you want it to work when you think of your marriage with your partner? If your heart is still in it, seeking the help of counseling will help salvage the marriage. The only time a divorce is absolutely necessary is if you know you both will be happier moving on.

It is important to remember that divorce is not a bad thing. Divorce is a method of freeing ourselves from unhappy situations allowing us to be the best possible version of ourselves. Follow what your gut is telling you.

Voted Long Island’s Best Divorce Lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Same-sex divorce, Pre- and postnuptial agreements, Father’s rights, Separation agreements, Protection orders and Meditation. To help keep your legal costs at a minimum, call 877-385-2560.