Divorce, Personal Injury, Criminal, Bankruptcy, Elder Law, & General Practice Attorneys

Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel

479 Merrick Road
Lynbrook, New York 11563
USA

(516) 561-6645 or (800) 344-6431

(516) 561-6716

www.schlissellawfirm.com/

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The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel, founded in 1978, is a multi-service firm committed to client-focused, cost-effective legal services in the areas of family, criminal, real estate, personal injury and elder law, as well as wills, trusts and estate planning.

Our New York law firm represents individuals and families in Nassau, Queens, Suffolk and surrounding counties. Made up of dedicated attorneys, paralegals and a strong support staff, our firm’s dedication and collective wealth of experience get positive results and make a significant difference in our clients’ lives.

We make clients a priority, treating each client with dignity and respect. When you seek our help, you have our assurance that your private and sensitive legal matters will be handled with the utmost discretion.

The law offices of Elliot S. Schlissel handles all your most important legal issues, from personal injury accidents, criminal charges and juvenile delinquency to wills, trusts and estate planning to every aspect of family law, including high-asset divorce with complex valuation disputes. Our attorneys are also adept at managing a broad range of real estate and property issues in multiple jurisdictions, including real estate transactions between New York and Florida.

Listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s registry of pre-eminent lawyers, Elliot Schlissel is among the select attorneys recognized for the highest levels of professionalism, ethics and integrity.

Year this Office was Established: 1978

Languages: English and Spanish

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Assisted Living Facilities; Estate Administration; Business Succession Planning; Guardianship; Annulment; Division of Property; Fathers' Rights; Mother's Rights; Same Sex Relationships; High Net Worth Divorce; Bail; Miranda Rights; Child Molestation; Lewd Conduct; Fondling; Indecent Exposure; Solicitation.

Practice Areas Description

At The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel, we provide legal representation and services in the following areas of practice:

- Family Law

At the Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel, our attorneys regularly assist clients with complex divorce cases. When substantial assets are at stake, we carefully address complicated tax planning, property division and support issues to protect our clients best interests. Working closely as a team, our divorce attorneys collaborate with investigative and forensic accountants, business and real estate appraisers, and investigators to ensure we have all the information we need to analyze each case. Our attorneys are familiar with the issues involving corporations, stock valuation and closely held businesses. With expertise and knowledge derived from three decades of experience, our law firm is adept at handling divorces involving assets to $10 million and above.

• Divorce

We handle divorce related matters throughout the New York metropolitan area. Our attorneys are skilled in all aspects of a divorce, including issues that affect minor children and the rights of both parents and grandparents, with a focus on child custody, complex and high asset property divisions, and multi-jurisdictional disputes. We also have extensive experience with drafting legal separation agreements and marital property agreements to distribute assets.

• Domestic Violence

In New York, domestic violence matters are handled in both the Criminal Court and the Family Court. If you should be charged with a domestic violence crime, it is important that you retain counsel as quickly as possible. The District Attorneys’ offices in the metropolitan, New York area are much more aggressive today than they have been in the past in prosecuting domestic violence cases such as assault, harassment, stalking, menacing, and battery.

• Child Custody

Child custody, support, and visitation schedule decisions are some of the most important aspects of a divorce proceeding for individuals with children. At The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel, we have successfully handled hundreds of custody cases. We can help everyone involved determine what is in the best interest of the child or children involved, taking into account the rights of all parties to a divorce.

• Child Abuse & Neglect

Our office has handled many complaints involving allegations of either child abuse or neglect. We are aware of the procedures followed by the various child protection agencies where these reports are based on false or misstated allegations, we take action to have reports that are "indicated" modified to read "unfounded", which means that the report to the agency after investigation was not supported by the facts. When necessary, we demand administrative hearings and we litigate to clear our clients.

• Separation Agreements

The best way to work out the issues in a divorce is by the parties amicably negotiating through their attorneys a separation agreement. Separation agreements are handled out of court. Usually the parties meet on several occasions with their respective attorneys present to discuss the various issues in the divorce. The issues dealt with in a separation agreement involve child support, spousal maintenance, custody of the children, visitation with the children, equitable distribution of marital property, division of assets, who gets the home, who pays for college and all other issues involving the marital relationship and the children.

• Annulment

There exists a procedure in New York, as well as many other states, to completely set aside the existence of a marriage. This called an annulment. An-annulment makes the marriage null and void retroactively from the date it took place. If you have your marriage annulled, it never existed. The difference between a divorce and an-annulment is that having a divorce means that the parties were married, the marriage didn’t work out and the parties took action to set it aside.

• Division of Property

When there is little or no marital property, no children, no issues of alimony or spousal maintenance, amicable spouses can usually obtain a quick divorce. Most divorces, however, are quite different and far more complex. The typical divorce involves a union of many years with considerable marital property, both personal property and real estate, children, family businesses, large or concealed debts, trust funds, real estate in other states, joint and separate accounts, investments, insurance, pensions, and other assets. In these complex situations, the parties often cannot divide their property on their own and therefore may require the assistance of experienced legal counsel for its ultimate division.

• Fathers' Rights

Our office represents fathers involved with divorce cases, Family Court matters and Orders of Protection in Supreme Court, Family Court and Criminal Court. We are a NY divorce and family law firm composed of attorneys who are experienced in representing fathers rights!

• Mother's Rights

In America today it is common for women to work after they have children. In cases where both the father and mother are working on a full time basis, the issues involving who will receive custody become more complicated. In these situations it is no longer as clear as it was in the past who is the primary nurturing parent. It is extremely important in these situations to have aggressive, experienced lawyers representing you in custody proceedings.

• Mediation

The Law Office of Elliot S. Schlissel has the winning team to handle mediations. The mediation attorneys at the Law Office of Elliot S. Schlissel are available to meet all of your needs and deal with the important issues of custody, support and equitable distribution.

• Pre / Post Nuptial Agreement

Pre-nuptial agreements are not simple. There are important requirements and restrictions concerning these agreements. The agreement is only tested in the event of the death, separation or divorce of the parties. It is extremely important to retain experienced legal counsel when drafting an agreement of this type. There are very specific requirements under New York State law as to what must be in a pre-nuptial agreement.

• Same Sex Relationships

The family law attorneys at the Law Firm of Elliot S. Schlissel are pioneers in same-sex relationships in New York. We have extensive experience with same-sex break-ups (whether separation or divorce), including same-sex break-ups involving children, domestic partnership or substantial assets.

• High Net Worth Divorce

If you are a high net worth individual or you have complicated property and support issues, the New York and Long Island high net worth divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Elliot Schlissel will provide you with the highest level of legal representation.

Examples of some of the issues our Law Office has negotiated and litigated in high net worth and/or sophisticated marital estates are:

1. Complicated business scenarios.
2. Commercial and Residential Real Estate in both the United States and foreign countries.
3. Multiple financial accounts both in the United States and off shore. Stock options that are in the money and out of the money, 401 ks, 403 bs, pensions, annuities, deferred compensation plans, bonus structures, assets held in trust and contingent assets.
4. Activities that enhanced assets belonging to a spouse, future interests, family owned businesses, professional licenses (doctors, lawyers, dentists, medical practices, legal practices, accounting practices, partnership interests, interests in closely held corporations either passive or active).

• Family Owned Businesses

One of the more complicated financial issues in a divorce deals with the equitable distribution of family owned businesses. The situation is even more complex if both the husband and wife have had active roles in the family business. The court usually hires a neutral business evaluator to ascertain the value of the business. If the business was started prior to the marriage, the court must also ascertain the value of the business at the time the parties were married. In this case only the appreciation of the business would be subject to equitable distribution in the divorce.

- Wills, Trusts & Estates

At the Law Office of Elliot S. Schlissel, we provide comprehensive wills, trusts, estate planning and probate services to our clients. We represent individuals in all aspects of estate planning, including the preparation of: Wills, Testamentary Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills Health Care Proxies.

- Traffic Tickets

Our office handles speeding tickets, scofflaw violations, license suspension, license revocations and all other moving violations in all counties of the State of New York. We vacate traffic arrest warrants. We represent individuals and corporations at DMV hearings, Traffic Court hearings, and we handle appeals from traffic violations. Our office has a direct computer link-up with the Department of Motor Vehicles, which gives us instant access to your New York State driving abstract.

- Criminal Law

At the law offices of Elliot S. Schlissel, we have been defending the rights of New Yorkers arrested for criminal violations since 1978. Our attorneys handle a full scope of criminal matters, from minor infractions and misdemeanors, such as traffic violations and speeding tickets, to the most serious felony indictments. We represent clients facing criminal charges in Nassau, Queens, Suffolk and New York counties and the entire New York metro area, including the five boroughs and Westchester County.

• Drug Offenses

The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel has handled every level of drug cases, from misdemeanor possession to felony charges of distribution or possession of large quantities with intent to sell. Regardless of the type of drug (marijuana, cocaine, crack, meth, heroin, ecstasy or prescription narcotics), we strive to beat or reduce the charges to have the least impact on the life of our clients and their families.

• Misdemeanors

In the State of New York, misdemeanors are crimes punishable by up to one year in prison. Some common examples of misdemeanors are shoplifting, assault, some minor weapons possession charges, possession of small amounts of illegal drugs, driving while intoxicated, and driving with a suspended license. Should you find yourself, a friend or loved one charged with a misdemeanor crime, retaining a law firm experienced in handling misdemeanor criminal charges will have a significant impact on the outcome of the case.

• Felonies

If you, a family member, a friend or a loved one are charged with a felony, obtain qualified experienced criminal defense counsel immediately! Felonies have consequences over and above the jail sentences imparted by the court. They can eliminate an individual’s ability to obtain certain types of employment, such as being a teacher, lawyer, or doctor. A conviction causes you to lose your right to vote. It may prevent you from obtaining government aid, such as student loans and may restrict international travel and other valuable rights.

• Assault & Battery

Assault and battery cases can involve males against males and males involved with females. If the alleged victim is severely injured, the criminal charge can be a felony. If the injuries are minor, the criminal charges are usually only a misdemeanor. Examples of assault and battery cases involve fights in bars, incidents in schools and domestic violence situations.

• Juvenile Defense

The juvenile defense lawyers of The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel have represented minors in every type of juvenile offense:

. DWI and minor consumption of alcohol;
. Drug possession or sale;
. Driving on a suspended license and other traffic violations;
. Assault and battery, or domestic violence;
. Rape, date rape and other sex offenses;
. Shoplifting, burglary and other property crimes.

• Shoplifting / Burglary

If you or a family member is charged with a shoplifting or burglary charge, you may be facing serious jail or prison time, especially if allegations involve a weapon or use of force (robbery). Contact the skilled defense attorneys of The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel to protect your rights and minimize any consequences if you are convicted.

• Driving While Intoxicated

No matter what the situation calls for, it could be a first offense DWI or you a felony DWI-charge, our lawyers can help in your New York drunk driving case. We can arrange bail if necessary, and we can get our clients placed in rehabilitation programs instead of jail, if they have serious alcohol or drug problems. Our DWI Defense Lawyers know how to convince judges to give clients an alternative sentence, such as a year’s probation, and/or substance abuse treatment.

• Weapons Possession

The crime involving the possession of an illegal handgun is technically called Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Weapons that fall into this category involve knives, switchblades, billy clubs, brass knuckles, swords, nunchucks, and gravity knives. Although criminal possession of a weapon is also vigorously prosecuted in the five Boroughs of the City of New York, individuals charged in Nassau and Suffolk counties may receive harsher sentences, should they be convicted. The current mandatory sentence in New York is a minimum of 3 ½ years in prison if you are convicted of a felony involving gun possession.

• Bail

In New York State we have individuals called "Bail Bondsmen". These are individuals that for a fee usually 10% of the amount of the bail will post a bond on an individual's behalf. Bail bondsmen usually require collateral (something of value) to be held by them to secure them in the event the individual does not appear in court on the scheduled court dates. Our office is experienced in helping individuals post bail and obtain bonds from bail bondsmen. Feel free to call our New York and Long Island NY criminal defense attorneys should you be in need of posting bail for a friend, family member or loved one.

• Miranda Rights

Individuals charged or about to be charged with crimes have rights in the United States which comes from the 1966 United States Supreme Court case entitled Miranda vs. Arizona. This case stands for the proposition that when a person is taken into police custody before they can be questioned they must be told about their fifth amendment right to avoid self incriminating statements. The following are the Miranda Rights as they exist in New York State today:

. You have the right to remain silent;
. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law;
. You have a right to an attorney;
. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for you.

• Sex Crimes

Fighting sex crime charges can be difficult. These are very sensitive and stressful prosecutions. Our office is experienced in representing individuals charged with sex crimes. The following is a list of the types of sex crimes that our New York sex crime defense attorneys at the Law Office of Elliot S. Schlissel can help you with:

. Rape;
. Date rape;
. Statutory rape;
. Child molestation;
. Lewd conduct;
. Fondling;
. Indecent exposure;
. Solicitation.

• White Collar Crimes

White collar crimes involve crimes against property, economic crimes and crimes committed by corporations. The Federal Bureau of Investigations defines white collar crimes as "those illegal acts where are characterized by deceit, consume, a violation of trust in where they are not dependant upon the application or threat of physical violence".

• Violent Crimes

The following is a list of various violent crimes in New York: child abuse; sexual abuse; assault and battery; aggravated assault; sexual assault; cruelty to animals; domestic violence; murder; manslaughter; rape; statutory rape and robbery.

• Traffic Tickets

Should you, a friend or family member be faced with a speeding ticket or other traffic violation, please contact us. In situations where your license has been suspended or a warrant has been issued for your arrest as a result of a traffic ticket, it is important that you appear in court with an attorney. We know how to deal with license suspensions and revocations. We can help clear up these matters and have your driver’s license reinstated.

• Expungement

The expungement of a criminal record in New York involves the process of having a court seal the record. In some circumstances, an individual can apply for an expungement in the state of New York on traffic violations and loitering. If you’re arrested, there’s a permanent record made of the arrest. Even if you are not convicted, the arrest still exists. Criminal records today are open to the general public. Once the decision is made to expunge an arrest record, all copies of your arrest record will be returned to you or destroyed.

• Computer & Internet Crimes

Should you, a family member, friend or loved one be the subject of an investigation related to computer or internet crime it is important to protect your rights by retaining legal counsel before speaking to the investigatory officers. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Elliot Schlissel can provide you with high quality legal representation regarding the investigation and defense of computer and internet crimes.

- Personal Injury

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation. You deserve money to pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other expenses caused by the accident. And you deserve it soon.

• Car Accidents

An auto accident can affect every aspect of your life your ability to earn a living, support your family, and do the things you've always enjoyed. If you have suffered because of another driver's negligent or reckless behavior, contact The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel.

• Truck Accidents

Nearly 2,400 people suffer injuries and more than 100 die each year in truck accidents in New York State, often because of negligence on the part of the truck driver or those responsible for maintenance. If you were hurt or a loved one killed, contact The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel for a free consultation to discuss your case.

• Slip and Fall

If you suffered serious slip and fall injury due to a slippery floor, uneven pavement, an icy sidewalk or other preventable accident on private property, contact experienced slip and fall accident attorneys of The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel.

• Premises Liability

If you fall or are injured while visiting a store or home or as a result of an uneven sidewalk, the premises liability accident attorneys at the Law Office of Elliot Schlissel can help you.

• Wrongful Death

If a loved one dies because of the negligence of others, the family members who are left to deal with the sudden loss may have a wrongful death claim against those responsible. Contact The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel to discuss the merits of your claim in a free initial consultation.

• Nursing Home Neglect

Millions of Americans now reside in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The residents of these facilities are elderly and sometimes disabled. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have a legal obligation to provide a safe and appropriate living environment for their residents. There are many federal and state laws that protect seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities from abuse and neglect. If you, a friend, a family member, or loved one have suffered from either neglect or abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact the nursing home and assisted living abuse lawyers at the Law Office of Elliot Schlissel.

• Dog Bites

Owners are responsible for their dogs. In the event the dog has dangerous or viscous animal propensities, you may be able to collect for the injuries received from the dog attack. If the owner of a dog knows his dog is viscous or has attacked other individuals, he or she would be responsible for seeing to it that the dog is restrained.

- Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Are you overwhelmed by debt? If you file for bankruptcy, you can eliminate all harassing phone calls and bring financial sanity back to your life. Bankruptcy can help you quickly rehabilitate your credit, keep your car, and save your home from foreclosure. There is no shame in filing for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy laws were created so that hard-working people could work their way out of crippling debt. At The Law Offices of Elliot S. Schlissel, we understand that many circumstances can lead to financial disaster for families and for businesses.

- Foreclosure Defense

Our New York and Long Island foreclosure defense lawyers have been fighting foreclosure proceedings for two decades. There are several alternatives to dealing with foreclosures. It is important that you contact an attorney at the earliest possible stage when you fall behind in your mortgage to plan what type of measures you will take to deal with a potential foreclosure.

- Elder Law

We can help with any issue that comes up with senior or nursing homes. If a senior is injured by improper medical care or nursing home care, our personal injury attorneys can help. If nursing home employees have abused a loved one, or failed to provide proper care, we can prosecute the nursing home to fullest extent of the law.

We also offer estate planning services, including wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and more. We can also help with probate proceedings and probate litigation. Elliot S. Schlissel has been a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys since 1996, and all of our attorneys keep up on the issues that are important to seniors.