Williamsville, New York, Legal Blog

The process of relocating with a child after divorce

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

When a married couple decides to separate, one of the most contentious issues that will come up involves child custody and support. The parents may reach an initial agreement that provides both of them with sufficient time with the child, but after several years, one parent decides to relocate.

New York has strict laws concerning relocation. The parent wanting to move will need to seek permission from the other parent to still see the child after moving and seek a modification in the child custody agreement with a court in parents' jurisdiction. It is important to continue following the original court order until the matter reaches legal resolution.

Handheld device laws in New York

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law posted in blog on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Cellphones, tablets and other mobile devices have become such a large part of our lives now that most people cannot imagine being without them. For many people in New York and elsewhere, this means using their phones while they are driving. It is important for you to understand the consequences you can face for using a mobile device behind the wheel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 3,450 people across the United States died in 2016 in distracted driving accidents. As you are probably aware, cellphones pose one of the greatest distracted driving risks, especially for teenagers and young adults. Many young people are unaware of the impact that texting or checking social media can have on driving. The following points illustrate New York’s handheld device laws:

Drivers may not use a handheld device while driving, including talking on the phone, but they are allowed to use a hands-free cellphone.
Sending and reading text messages, checking email, playing games, taking pictures and other activities are also banned while driving.
Commercial drivers must not use a handheld device even when their vehicles are temporarily stopped, such as at a red light or in heavy traffic.
Commercial drivers may use a hands-free device as long as no more than one button is pushed to use the device.
Violators of cellphone driving laws may face a traffic ticket, fines, points on their driving record and possible suspension of their driver’s license.
Drivers with learner’s permits will lose their license for 120 days their first time with a cellphone driving violation, and will lose their license for at least one year on the second offense.

Should you wait until after a holiday to file for divorce?

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law posted in blog on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

Many holidays, whether they are big or small, figure majorly into the lives of quite a few families. For example, one family may have a fantastic St. Patrick's Day tradition, while another enjoys decorating the house for Halloween and coming up with elaborate costumes. For something such as Christmas, faraway travel or special gatherings may be the norm.

If you are planning to file for divorce and one of these holidays special to your family is coming up in a few weeks or a few months, could it be a good idea to wait to file? The answer is not always clear-cut.

2 ways divorce is beneficial for kids

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law posted in blog on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.

One challenge that you may encounter while divorcing your spouse in New York is protecting your kids. You are already aware of how beneficial it can be for children to grow up with both parents in a single home. But what you may not know is that there are circumstances where divorce can be beneficial for them.

You may have worked hard to save your relationship. All marriages are not meant to last. It is up to you to recognize when it may be time for you to leave your partner and move on to protect you and your children’s overall well-being. Here are some reasons why divorce can be healthy for children.

3 back-to-school co-parenting tips

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law posted in blog on Monday, August 7, 2017.

It is already August, which means it is time to start preparing for your kids going back to school. This time of transition comes with several challenges, especially in your post-divorce life. Both you and your ex have obligations to help your children out as school comes near. They deserve to feel confident and happy going into the school year.

How should you handle all of these responsibilities and make sure everything goes smoothly? Follow these tips for successful back-to-school co-parenting.

How to modify your child custody order in New York

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law posted in blog on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.

Are you frustrated with your court-ordered child custody arrangement? As summer is approaching, you might want to spend more time with your children. While the agreement is legally binding, there are certain circumstances that might warrant a modification.

You cannot make a unilateral decision to change the child custody agreement, but you might be able to change it through a voluntary decision with your ex or with a court modification. Here is a guide to modifying child custody in New York.

Tips for creating a visitation schedule that works

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law on Tuesday, January 31, 2017.

Separating property during a divorce can be challenging, but trying to sort out custody and visitation between parents can be emotionally charged and feel like a win-lose situation. When parents cannot work together to determine a parenting schedule, the court must step in. This generally results in a lose-lose situation. Both the parents and the children involved lose because the schedule is out of your hands. The New York State Unified Court System has a number of great resources for parents trying to navigate a divorce.

In New York, visitation is defined as "the right of a non-custodial parent to be with a child." Even if two parents have joint custody, the child generally has a primary residence and lives with one parent more often. Joint custody is not about sharing the child 50-50, it is about both parents being responsible for the major decisions in the child's life. You will need to negotiate time with the other parent to work out a visitation schedule.

4 tips for dealing with joint custody over the holidays

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law posted in Child Custody on Thursday, October 27, 2016.

Busy parents in New York know how quickly time flies. One minute it's summer and you're taking the kids to camp, and the next you're pulling winter coats and boots out of storage in preparation for winter's arrival.

Soon enough, the holidays will be upon us, and for many people, that means life can get hectic. If you're divorced and share custody of your kids with your ex, it may be time to start thinking about a plan.

Why you should fight your traffic ticket

On behalf of Patrick M. Noe, Jr., Attorney at Law posted in Criminal defense on Friday, August 12, 2016.

You got pulled over for a traffic violation and received a ticket. Do you pay the ticket or fight it in traffic court? If you always pay because you hate taking time out of your day to go to traffic court, read this blog to learn why it may be better to fight a traffic ticket.