New York Family Law Attorney

Divorce in New York

Going through a divorce can be one of the most disorienting experiences a person faces, impacting their relationship with their children, their financial security, their home, and their sense of what comes next. New York attorney Stephen Bilkis handles contested, uncontested, and high-net-worth divorce proceedings in the New York Courts. The firm identifies the client’s priorities and develops a strategy for resolving custody, parenting time, support, maintenance, equitable distribution, and other disputed issues. When assets or income may be hidden, Stephen Bilkis and his team analyze tax returns, bank statements, business and property records, and other financial documents and, when necessary, use discovery, subpoenas, and forensic accountants to locate and value them. We tailor our approach to what the case demands: aggressive, cooperative, or somewhere in between.

Collaborative Divorce

Ending a marriage doesn’t have to mean a courtroom battle. Collaborative divorce allows spouses to resolve custody, support, property division, and other issues through private negotiations rather than courtroom litigation. In addition to handling traditional divorce proceedings, Stephen Bilkis assists clients who want to use the collaborative divorce process to end their marriages cooperatively while protecting their legal and financial interests. During the process, we identify the issues that must be resolved, organize the voluntary exchange of financial information, prepare clients for settlement discussions, and negotiate terms concerning children, support, property, and debt. By reducing formal discovery and repeated court appearances, the collaborative process may save time and legal expenses while giving the spouses greater control over the outcome.

Child Custody and Child Visitation in New York

Few things matter more to a parent than their relationship with their child, and a custody or visitation dispute can leave that relationship feeling uncertain. Stephen Bilkis & Associates helps parents establish, enforce, and modify custody and visitation arrangements that can affect their ability to participate in raising their children. We conduct background checks, examine school and medical records, interview relevant witnesses, and develop proposed parenting schedules. New York family lawyer Stephen Bilkis and his team use this evidence to address the child’s needs, each parent’s caregiving history, home stability, and concerns involving domestic violence, substance abuse, neglect, or safety.

Child Support in New York

When child support goes unpaid, the parent caring for the child may struggle to provide food, clothing that fits, school supplies, childcare, and medical care. Stephen Bilkis & Associates pursues support orders and unpaid arrears, so parents have the resources needed to care for their children, while also defending clients against unsupported demands. When income may be hidden, we use subpoenas, financial discovery, tax returns, bank deposits, and business records to uncover earnings from self-employment, cash-based businesses, tipped positions, and other sources. Stephen Bilkis also seeks income imputation, enforcement remedies, or modification of an existing order when supported by the circumstances.

Paternity

Questions about paternity carry real emotional and financial weight for everyone involved, from a mother seeking the support her child is owed to an alleged father who isn’t sure whether he’s legally responsible for a child. Stephen Bilkis represents mothers seeking to establish paternity and alleged fathers who question whether they are legally responsible for a child. We examine birth records, signed acknowledgments, court orders, communications, and the history of the parent-child relationship and request genetic testing when appropriate. Because New York courts do not always decide legal parentage through DNA alone, Stephen Bilkis & Associates also determines whether an acknowledgment or existing paternity order can be challenged and addresses the custody, visitation, and child support issues that follow.

Spousal Support and Spousal Maintenance in New York

The end of a marriage often brings real uncertainty about what happens financially next, for both spouses. Through years of handling high-net-worth and complex divorces, New York family attorney Stephen Bilkis knows the importance of uncovering all income, assets, benefits, and available resources before spousal support (alimony) and spousal maintenance are determined. We use tax returns, bank records, business documents, and financial discovery to identify income that may be hidden or understated. Stephen Bilkis & Associates uses this evidence to pursue necessary support or challenge an excessive request.

Restraining Orders in New York

Few situations are as frightening as feeling unsafe in your own home, or as unfair as being falsely accused. Stephen Bilkis seeks protection for clients facing abuse and defends respondents against unsupported or exaggerated allegations. We use messages, photographs, recordings, medical records, police reports, and witness testimony to build or challenge the case. When the same allegations affect criminal, custody, or visitation proceedings, Stephen Bilkis & Associates develops a strategy that accounts for every pending matter.

Child Abuse and Child Neglect Proceedings

An allegation of child abuse or neglect and an investigation by child protective services can be among the most frightening and stressful experiences a parent faces, especially when there is a risk that the child may be removed from the home. Stephen Bilkis defends parents, guardians, and caregivers from the initial investigation through Family Court proceedings. We obtain agency files, medical and school records, photographs, and witness statements to challenge unsupported allegations and present the family’s full story. At emergency, fact-finding, dispositional, and permanency hearings, Stephen Bilkis & Associates opposes unnecessary restrictions and seeks the return of children when appropriate.

Guardianship in New York

When a parent dies, becomes seriously ill, is incarcerated, or cannot care for a child, guardianship can give a trusted adult the authority to provide the stability the child needs. Stephen Bilkis helps relatives, family friends, and other interested parties obtain or contest guardianship. We prepare petitions, gather records and testimony, and show who has been caring for the child and who can best meet the child’s educational, medical, and daily needs. Stephen Bilkis also handles guardianship proceedings involving adults who need protection or assistance with personal and financial decisions.

Grandparents’ rights in New York

A grandparent who has helped raise and care for a child can suddenly be shut out because of divorce, death, or family conflict, a loss that’s painful for the grandparent and often for the child as well. Stephen Bilkis helps grandparents seek visitation or, when circumstances permit, custody of a grandchild. We use photographs, messages, childcare, and financial records, and witness testimony to establish the relationship and show why continued contact serves the child’s best interests. When custody is requested, Stephen Bilkis & Associates presents evidence of the extraordinary circumstances that may justify placing the child in the grandparent’s care.

Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates

Request a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you are facing a divorce, custody dispute, child support proceeding, order of protection, or another family law matter, contact New York family lawyer Stephen Bilkis today for a free consultation at (800) 696-9529. Tell us what happened, whether a court date or temporary order is pending, and what you hope to accomplish. We will discuss the situation and identify the next steps that may be available.

Stephen Bilkis & Associates does not treat a family law case as simply a series of court appearances. Beginning with the first consultation, we learn the family’s history, identify the significant events, and gather relevant documents, communications, financial information, records, photographs, and witness accounts. We may also develop a chronology that allows us to analyze the entire case under New York law.

When appropriate, we position the case for negotiation, settlement discussions, or a four-way meeting between the parties and their attorneys. If an agreement cannot be reached, the factual and evidentiary work completed throughout the case becomes the foundation for litigation and trial preparation.

Stephen Bilkis & Associates develops its approach around the facts, the client’s priorities, and what the case requires. We can pursue an aggressive litigation strategy, take a cooperative and settlement-focused approach, or combine the two. Whether the matter is resolved through negotiation or presented to the court, we remain focused on protecting our client’s relationship with their children, financial interests, safety, and future. We are here to help you and your family.

Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates today for a free consultation at 800.696.9529.