Firm News
How Can Parent Coordination Help Reduce Family Conflict?
Parent Coordination is a child-focused alternative dispute resolution process where a qualified professional (the parent coordinator) helps separated or divorced parents implement their parenting plan and resolve conflicts about their children. This process aims to...
Mediation Can Assist LGBTQ+ Families Navigate Effective Parenting Plans
In honor of Pride Month, the Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC located in Brooklyn, New York, celebrates gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer families in their efforts toward creating effective parenting plans. Mediation is often the most effective...
New York State Child Support and Maintenance Guidelines Updated for 2024
New York State Child Support and Maintenance Guidelines Updated for 2024 The New York State Office of Court Administration has issued updated guidelines for calculating child support and spousal maintenance that take effect on March 1, 2024. These revisions account...
DIVORCE DOESN’T MEAN THE END OF YOUR FAMILY
I am a big fan of the television show This Is Us. Although I am sad to see the show end, I was excited to see the show highlighting the use of divorce mediation by the characters Toby and Kate as the respectful and collaborative alternative to divorce litigation....
Joining Family Kind Helene Bernstein
By Helene Bernstein, Esq. of the Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC. As New York begins to reopen, I’m excited to announce that I have joined the Board of Directors of FamilyKind. Since joining FamilyKind over a decade ago as a founding member, I’ve...
Marital Mediation- How can we stay married without going to therapy?
As a mediator, I come across clients who tell me they want to stay married but either marital therapy didn’t work for them or their spouse has no interest in attending therapy. I recently attended a training on the topic of Martial Mediation in order to provide...
POST-DIVORCE MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT
During this pandemic and COVID-19, many divorced or separated couples have requested modification of their child support orders pursuant to their divorce agreement or Family Court court orders. However, asking a judge or a support magistrate to make such changes is...
ATTORNEY FEES IN DIVORCE- THE COURT’S DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO AWARD FEES
I recently received a favorable decision for my client, the former husband, in the case of Christina Giasemis v. Peter Giasemis, 2020 N.Y.Slip Op. 5491 (October 2020, Second Department ) a post-divorce judgment case where the appellate court reversed the lower court...
Mediating with Attorneys in the Room, A Webinar Sponsored by Familykind
As a mediator/attorney who offers private mediation services and consultant mediation services through Familykind (www.familykind.org), an organization that provides services to families experiencing separation and divorce, I had the opportunity this month with Andrea...
Helene Bernstein, Esq. on the Financially Every After Podcast
I recently had the opportunity to join Stacy Francis on the Financially Ever After podcast. As we discussed on the show, COVID-19 is having a profound impact on the world of divorce. Here are a few highlights discussed on the program: A key point to consider is that...