Syracuse, New York Family Law, Divorce and Domestic Violence Lawyer

DeRoberts Law Firm

The Monroe Building Suite 4A, 333 East Onondaga Street Syracuse, New York 13202 USA

 (315) 849-9694 or (866) 918-8875

www.derobertslaw.com
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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

Jeffrey DeRoberts has been dealing with the family and matrimonial laws of New York since becoming an attorney back in 1993. As a solo attorney, he can provide the personalized attention you may not get at a larger firm. There is no substitute for one-on-one contact and accessibility from your attorney, particularly in difficult situations involving your family.

Because of Mr. DeRoberts' focused knowledge with child custody, child support and divorce, he can often resolve your dispute quicker and more cost-effectively than a larger law firm. He is supported by two dedicated paralegals, but he personally attends to the details of your case, including being at your side for all hearings or negotiation sessions. He offers you his experience, dedication and personal attention throughout the duration of your case.

Long after your divorce is finalized and you have settled into your new life, circumstances may change. The other parent may not be allowing you the scheduled amount of visitation. You may wish to go back to school, take a new job or relocate. You may need additional financial support to provide for the needs of your growing and active child.

Jeffrey DeRoberts devotes a large portion of his practice to modification hearings to alter custody, child support or spousal support and helping clients enforce visitation or child support orders. We can, of course, also represent your interests in your New York divorce, assuring fair treatment in property division or a marital separation agreement.

Practice Areas

Practice Areas Description

- Family Law

DeRoberts Law Firm provides astute legal advice and aggressive protection of your interests in all aspects of New York family law. We aim for fair and efficient resolutions that keep the peace long term and provide a positive environment for your children. Nevertheless, experienced trial lawyer, Jeffrey DeRoberts, knows that sometimes there is no meeting of the minds. If the other parent spitefully or stubbornly refuses to negotiate, he can be as aggressive and persuasive as necessary to ensure a fair and reasonable result in court. He can do this by providing his experience, dedication and personal attention throughout the duration of your case.

- Child Support

New York's child support calculation guidelines are clear and firm. The formula sets out a flat percentage of income based on the number of children. You may be wondering why you would even need a lawyer. The state formula mandates the following levels of support from the non-custodial parent, based on the combined gross income: 17 percent for one child, 25 percent or two, 29 percent for three, 31 percent for four children.

- Custody or Support Modifications

Mr. DeRoberts has handled every scenario, and represented clients on both sides of the issue: changing physical custody; parent relocation; and altering the parenting plan. Child support can be altered for an unforeseen change in circumstances, based on actual need. The custodial parent can seek an increase if the child's needs have changed, but not simply because the other parent got a big raise. Support can be reduced if the paying parent has fallen on hard financial times after a layoff or period of illness. It is important to remember that voluntary underemployment or unemployment is not grounds for reduced child support.

- Paternity / Father's Rights

Jeffrey DeRoberts is knowledgeable about the paternity laws of New York and has represented: men falsely accused of fathering a child; men asserting their fathers' rights, when the mother is denying contact with a child; women seeking a paternity test to compel the father to pay child support; and men who thought the child was theirs but recently learned it may not be. A DNA test — a quick swab from the mouth sent off to a lab — will determine conclusively whether that man is the father. If the paternity test is negative, the father has no legal obligation to pay support for or spend time with the child.

- Divorce

One spouse must allege divorce grounds against the other. When both parties want the divorce, this is really just a formality. The "victim" does not get any special treatment in alimony, division of property or child custody. . Grounds for divorce are rarely contested, unless one spouse is resisting divorce because he or she has a distinct financial benefit from staying married. In New York State, there are two paths to dissolving a marriage: no fault divorce and fault based divorce. Jeffrey DeRoberts has practiced in divorce and family law for 16 years. As a solo attorney, he will personally handle every aspect of your case.

- Property Division

Whether you have few assets to argue over or substantial property is at stake, New York law requires an equitable division of it. Equitable does not necessarily mean that assets are split 50/50, though. For example, one spouse may get the house, while one gets several vehicles – this distribution is not necessarily equal, since the assets have different values, but an arrangement like this could work for a particular couple. Fair and efficient property division requires a knowledgeable attorney with creative solutions to complex legal issues. Jeffrey DeRoberts has 16 years of experience handling divorce and property division issues such as: joint versus separate property, complex valuations, the marital home, alimony and debts.

- Marital Separation Agreement

Unless you are suing for divorce on fault-based grounds, you must live apart for one year under a marital separation agreement (MSA). This document must anticipate your needs, it must be fair, and it must be comprehensive. If you are going the marriage separation route, the MSA will govern your finances, care of your children and other aspects of your life for at least the next 12 months. DeRoberts Law Firm of Syracuse, New York provides experienced negotiation or review of this important document.

- Enforcement of Orders

Just because the court awarded primary custody to the other parent does not mean that your rights are secondary! Mr. DeRoberts has represented hundreds of non-custodial parents who are getting short-changed or jerked around by the other parent. He takes aggressive action against any interference with visitation rights including: refusing visitation outright; not making the child available at the mandated time; routinely picking up or returning the child late; scheduling extra-curricular or family activities during the other parent's allotted visitation time; alienating the child against the non-custodial parent; and ailing to honor arrangements for the holidays.

- Domestic Violence

Jeffrey DeRoberts has practiced in family law in Syracuse and Central New York for 16 years. He offers you experience, dedication and the personal attention of your attorney throughout the duration of your case. He has represented parties on both sides of domestic violence situations like: legitimate victims of abuse seeking an order for protection (OFP); spouses or partners falsely accused by someone looking for an advantage in custody and visitation proceedings; and men (or women) accused of threats, harassment, stalking, property damage or other violations of orders.

- Child Custody / Visitation Litigation

At DeRoberts Law Firm, we help clients find an acceptable middle ground while still protecting their rights and the best interests of their children. Our child custody lawyer is knowledgeable about New York family law and experienced in crafting out-of-court parenting agreements. He aims for workable arrangements that keep both parents active in the child's life and allows both to have input into decisions about the child’s upbringing (including such things as religion, education and health care). if you truly cannot come to terms on primary custody or the specifics of the parenting plan, Jeffrey DeRoberts can also capably advance your interests in child custody litigation.

Attorneys

Mr. Jeffrey DeRoberts Attorney Family Law

More Information on DeRoberts Law Firm

Syracuse, New York Family Law Attorneys
Syracuse, NY Child Support Lawyers
Custody or Support Modification Law Firm in Syracuse, New York
Paternity Attorneys in Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, New York Divorce Lawyers
Syracuse, NY Property Division Law Firm
Domestic Violence Attorneys in Syracuse, New York
Custody and Visitation Right Lawyers in Syracuse, NY
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