New York Family Law Attorney

Law Offices of David Bliven

445 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 607
White Plains, New York 10601
USA

(914) 468-0968 or (888) 404-0907

(914) 682-1994

www.blivenlaw.net

Contact the Firm

Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

I am David Bliven, a family law and civil rights attorney. From my offices in White Plains and Jamaica, I protect the rights of everyday people in Westchester County. Whether you are going through a divorce or you are involved in a civil rights dispute, I can help.

After interning with a civil rights law firm, I spent time in private practice, handling family law and immigration concerns. I then spent two years as a prosecutor in the Administration for Children's Services. By prosecuting child support, child abuse and neglect, and foster care cases, I learned how New York family court operates from both sides of the aisle.

Practicing law in Westchester and Queens counties for over 14 years experience, I have performed hundreds of trials and court hearings in local courts. Now, with my own practice, I have the time and the resources to help my clients with a variety of concerns, making sure they have an advocate who will stand up for their rights.

My experience as a public defender, working to protect the rights of kids in family court has helped shape my practice today. It provided my with invaluable trial experience and formal training as a lawyer that helps in negotiation and when it comes time to protect the rights of my clients in court.

I believe that hard work wins cases. Whether you are going through a divorce or you have been the victim of a false arrest, I will work diligently to protect your rights and help you through the process. And while I provide a game plan and give strategy, the final choice on how you proceed is up to you.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Property Division; Child Protective Cases: Abuse and Neglect; Police Misconduct; Gender and Race Discrimination

Practice Areas Description

Our areas of practice include:

- Family Law

Every family law concern is different. That is why you want a lawyer who will listen to you and come up with a plan that works for your family. Whether you want to facilitate a stepparent adoption or obtain a protective order after an incident of domestic violence, I will help you find a solution. Whether negotiating a settlement or fighting for my clients in family court, I handle a variety of concerns, including: Uncontested and Contested Divorce; Child Custody, visitation and support; Property Division; Child Protective Cases: abuse and neglect; Family Offenses: domestic violence and orders of protection; Adoption: relative and stepparent adoptions; and, Juvenile Delinquency.

*Divorce
New York allows many different types of uncontested and contested divorces, including no-fault divorce. I will take a close look at your situation and help you with all aspects of your divorce, including: Spousal maintenance; Division of marital property and debt; and, Child custody, support and visitation.

*Child Support
In New York, child support is determined by looking at the child support guidelines. However, even where parents share custody, child support will generally be paid by the parent with a higher income. Also, each parent pays a set percentage of add-ons to this base level of support, based on his or her gross income, such as medical expenses, educational expenses or childcare. I can also guide you through the process of support modification. In New York, you can modify your child support agreement if there has been a substantial change in circumstances or at least three years has passed without change to support.

*Child Custody and Visitation
I will work with you to make sure you understand your custody options and develop a parenting plan that meets you and your child's needs, including: Joint custody, Sole custody, and, Shared custody. In New York, there is not a bias toward the mother in custody disputes. However, if the father voluntarily leaves the child with the mother during a divorce, this is a negative factor the court will consider regarding custody.

*Property Division
New York is an equitable distribution state. Unlike a community property state, this means the court has the discretion to determine what division is fair in your divorce. In a divorce, only marital property is divided. Marital property includes debts and assets acquired during the marriage, including: Real estate and homes; Retirement plans, such as pensions and 401(k)s; Professional degrees and licenses; Business interests; and, Antiques, art and personal property. I regularly handle cases involving complex asset and debt division. I employ experts, such as forensic accountants and investigators, to search for hidden assets and to value business interests and assets.

- Civil Rights

If you have been the victim of race discrimination or police misconduct, it is time to stand up and make sure your voice is heard. With the help of an experienced attorney, you will do more than protect your rights today. You will be fighting to protect the rights of people like you in the future. I handle a variety of civil rights cases, including: Police Misconduct; and, Gender and Race Discrimination.

*Police Misconduct
Everyone who has suffered from police brutality or other type of misconduct wants the chance to tell their story and get justice. There is very little recourse for people who take matters into their own hands, but there is both protection and action for those who find an attorney willing to fight for them. Before you take any steps, it is important to find out what you can expect from the process. While every case is different, I will listen carefully to your situation and answer any questions you may have. Explaining your options from start to finish, I will make sure you stay focus on obtaining justice. I handle police misconduct cases involving: Brutality; False arrests cases; and, Improper search and seizure issues.

- Immigration Matters

Last year, Immigration Services here in New York tripled their fees, making it harder than ever to get proper counsel as you fight to stay in the U.S. Fighting for the rights of immigrants, I will make sure you do everything you can to protect and ensure your immigration status, including: Green Card; Permanent Residency; and, Citizenship and Naturalization.