Drew Barrymore, 36, announced she is engaged to Will Kopelman, 34. The couple who began dating February, 2011, got engaged over the holidays. Kopelman is an art consultant and son of the former CEO of Chanel, Arie Kopelman. This is Barrymore’s third time down the aisle. Barrymore wed Welsh bar owner Jeremy Thomas in March 1994 and ended the marriage only a month later. Her second marriage was to comic Tom Green in July 2001, and Green filed for divorce that December. Barrymore has not revealed whether she plans to have Kopelman sign a prenuptial agreement this time around. Full article.

Getting a divorce under New York law has become an easier process than previous years. This is due to the fact New York has passed a law permitting no-fault divorce, meaning that a couple need not prove any instances of wrongdoing or abuse in order to file for divorce in a court of law. In New York, spouses are allowed to terminate their marriages within a period of six months after declaring that their marriage is “irretrievably” broken down. New York is the last state to adopt this stance, which officially makes the U.S. a “no-fault divorce nation”. This is one of the rare instances in which all 50 states show some sort of uniformity on an issue.

The law firm of Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C., has represented many individuals filing for a divorce in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and Nassau and Suffolk counties. For any questions concerning domestic relations matters, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-800-545-4658. Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C.’s divorce website is located at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

Aretha Franklin announced her recent engagement to longtime friend and confidant William “Willie” Wilkerson. Nearly a year after a major health scare that included a surgery in December 2010, the Queen of Soul is nearly 85 pounds lighter and ready to walk down the aisle. Aretha Franklin was previously married to Ted White for eight years before the two split in 1969, and then to actor Glynn Turman, whom she married in 1978 and divorced in 1984. Franklin has plans to wed on Miami Beach with an exclusive reception aboard a private yacht. Full article.

Under New York Domestic Relations law, a prenuptial agreement must be fair and reasonable and not tainted with fraud, misrepresentation, coercion or imposition. In the absence of such taints, these agreements have been presumed to be valid, and the party alleging taints or defects has had the burden of proof to establish their invalidity. Domestic Relations Law (DRL) 236[B](3), enacted in 1980, provides that the subject matter of such agreements includes:

(1) a contract to make a testamentary provision of any kind, or a waiver of any right to elect against the provisions of a will;
(2) provision for the ownership, division or distribution of separate and marital property;
(3) provision for the amount and duration of maintenance or other terms and conditions of the marriage relationship, subject to the provisions of 5-311 of the General Obligations Law, and provided that such terms were fair and reasonable at the time of the making of the agreement and are not unconscionable at the time of entry of final judgment; and
(4) provision for custody, care, education and maintenance of any child of the parties.

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. are experienced in all domestic relations matters, and have represented families in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. For any questions concerning domestic relations matters, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-800-585-4658. Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C.’s divorce website is located at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

James Durbin, who appeared as a contestant on “American Idol’s” season 10, tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Heidi Lowe on New Year’s Eve in the Santa Cruz mountains.  Durbin, who made his mark as the rocker of season 10, and Lowe, married in front of eighty-five guests.  Included on the guest list was Durbin’s Idol fellow contestants Stefano Langone, Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams.  The couple’s 2-year-old son served as a ring bearer.  Durbin’s debut album, “Memories of a Beautiful Disaster,” was released in November, 2011. Read Full Article

Approximately one in three of all first marriages in the United States end ion divorce, and 50 percent of second or third marriages end in divorce.  A prenuptial agreement is smart financial planning, legal and financial experts say.  In essence, a prenuptial agreement is a contract between two people about to wed that spells out how assets will be distributed in the event of divorce or death.  It is important to consult with an attorney if you wish to draw up a prenuptial agreement. It is vital to consult with an attorney in the event you are given a prenuptial agreement.  Often times, the agreement is filled with legal jargon that is difficult to understand, and the non-initiating spouse may not fully understand what he or she is signing.  Like all contracts, a prenuptial agreement is fully enforceable.  However, the agreement may be declared invalid if signed under duress, coercion, or undue influence.

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. are experienced in all domestic relations matters, and have represented families in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island.  For any questions concerning domestic relations matters, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-800-585-4658.  Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C.’s divorce website is located at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

An Italian couple are to become the world’s oldest divorcees. The husband, referred to as Antonio C. in the court filing, was rifling through an old chest of drawers when he made the discovery a few days before Christmas that his wife of 77 years, Rosa C., had an affair in the 1940’s. Antonio C. immediately demanded a divorce. Despite the ties they forged over nearly eight decades, including having five children, a dozen grandchildren and one great-grand child, the couple is ready to split. Full article.

Effective March 14, 2011, Nassau County is enforcing a mandatory one-time mediation session, free, for every couple filing for divorce in their jurisdiction. This program comes after the passage of no-fault divorce in New York state, which has created an influx of divorces in the county. The program was developed by the state’s Office of Court Administration and Robert A. Ross, the supervising judge of the matrimonial section of State Supreme Court in Nassau County. The purpose is to encourage less animosity and reach speedy resolutions.

The law firm of Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. has represented clients in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. If you are facing a divorce proceeding, it is important to hire lawyers that are capable of advocating your needs. For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529 or visit our divorce website at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

It has been reported that Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce based on irreconcilable differences, ending their 10 year marriage. The couple is divorcing despite having stayed together after experiencing allegations that Kobe Bryant sexually assaulted a Colorado woman in 2008 and after the basketball star admitted he was unfaithful to his wife. Vanessa Bryant is seeking joint legal and physical custody of their two daughters as well as spousal support. Kobe Bryant has an estimated worth of around $200 million which he accumulated during his 15 year career with the Lakers. There is no indication that the couple signed a prenuptial agreement. As a result, the basketball star may have to forfeit half of his assets in the divorce proceeding. Read Full Article.

Under New York Domestic Relations Law, in order to be able to seek a divorce decree from the NY courts, the petitioner must satisfy a residency requirement in order for the NY court to have jurisdiction over the marriage. Under New York law, a petitioner would need to prove a spouse had some kind of permanency in NY. The petitioner or respondent must plead and prove to be a NY domicile before he or she is able to plead a prima facie matrimonial cause of action, as well as avoid a civil practice, CPLR 3211(a)(7), motion to dismiss the case for failure to state a cause of action. There are 3 ways to satisfy the NY residency requirement:

1. Allege that either spouse has been a NY resident for a continuous two year period, immediately before commencement of the action

2. Where both spouses are NY domiciliaries when the action is commenced, and the matrimonial cause of action arose in NY? In this case, there is no minimum residency requirement.

3. Petitioner can simply allege that either party has been a NY resident for one continuous year before the commencement of the matrimonial action and both parties were married in NY, or the matrimonial cause of action arose in NY, or both parties resided in NY as husband and wife.

Note that domicile and residency are used synonymously in this statute (See Domestic Relations Law Section 230).

Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. seeks to obtain divorce judgments which will be most favorable to their clients. Our attorneys have represented clients in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-585-4658. Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C.’s divorce website is located at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

Representative Anthony D. Weiner, 46 years old, and Huma Abedin, who is 35 years old, are expecting their first child. This news comes at a time when questions about the future of their marriage have arisen after Weiner’s “sexting” scandal became public. Weiner has admitted to have engaged in online communications with at least six women over the last few years. However, Ms. Abedin, a longtime aide to Hillary Rodham Clinton, has returned to work and kept silent about the topic since the news was released. Read more: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/weiners-wife-is-pregnant/

When a couple who has children gets divorced, they will have to face the concept of child support. Under Domestic Relations Law, s. 240(1b) and the Family Court Act s. 413(1)(b), known as the Child Support Standards Act (”CSSA”) the court shall calculate the “basic child support obligation”, and the non-custodial parent’s prorated share of the “basic child support obligation”. The support obligation is calculated by “combined parental income” which is multiplied by the appropriate “child support percentage” as listed by statute, based on the number of children the couple has together.

As one of the prominent domestic relation firms in New York, Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. works to achieve successful divorce judgments that are in the best interests of their clients and their clients children. The firm handles a full range of domestic relations issues including child support, child custody, spousal maintenance, as well as the equitable distribution of assets. If you are seeking a separation agreement, divorce action, or other family law issues please feel free to contact Leeds, Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation or view their web page at www.lmblaw.com.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Lisa Ann Russell finalized their divorce after being married since 1996. Gosselaar, a 35-year-old actor best known for his role as Zack Morris on the 1990s teen comedy series “Saved By The Bell,” and Russell filed for divorce nearly a year ago. The couple are parents to Michael, 7, and Ava, 5.  It has been reported that Gosselaar and Russell entered into a private custody and spousal support agreement as a part of their divorce. Full article.

In New York, spousal support is referred to as spousal maintenance. There is not set formula to calculate spousal maintenance.  Instead, a court will award the maintenance on a case by case basis. Factors such as the disparity between the income of the parties, the duration of the marriage, the health of the parties, and the presence of very young children are taken under consideration. Spousal maintenance is rarely granted on a permanent basis, except in cases of physical or mental disability or when the parties are elderly. Generally, it is granted for a set period of time so the other party can get back on their feet after the termination of the marriage. The length of time depends on the facts of the case as the judge sees fit to award. 

The law firm of Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. has represented clients in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island. If you are facing a divorce proceeding, it is important to hire lawyers that are capable of advocating your needs. For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529 or visit our divorce website at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.

A Staten Island woman, Blanche Scala, 59, died from blunt trauma to the head after her husband, Thomas Scala, 57, beat her for not paying for cable TV while he was hospitalized and for not visiting him at the hospital.  It is suspected that an ashtray, which was thrown at the wife’s head, is what caused her death.  When the woman packed her clothes and tried to escape their home, her husband filled them with rubbing alcohol and used hairspray to set them on fire where she burned her hands trying to put out the flames.  After being treated, the deceased wife tried to go to sleep that night and complained to her friend about nausea and headaches.  The husband had admitted to family members that he had hit his wife.  The husband has been charged with assault and criminal mischief for the alleged attack.  However, he could face a murder charge for this event. Read More.

According to the New York State Office for the prevention of Domestic Violence (NYSODV), it is not always easy to recognize abuse, even for victims themselves.  The NYSODV has posted some factors to help you figure out if there is abuse in your relationship:

•    Your partner does things that make you afraid.
•    Your partner does things to control you.
•    Your partner threatens to hurt you.
•    Your partner physically abuses you.
•    If you think this publication might be for you, please keep reading. As you do, remember:
•    You are not alone.
•    You are not to blame.
•    You do not deserve to be abused.
•    There is help available.
•    This publication is also for you if you know someone who is being abused or someone you think might be being abused by their partner. You will find information on how you can help a friend, family member, co-worker, neighbor, or acquaintance, including:
•    How to talk to them about the abuse.
•    How you can be prepared to help.
•    How to help them get support and services.

Additionally some important facts about domestic violence according to the NYSODV include:

•    1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. (Tjaden, Patrica and Thoennes, Nancy. National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, “Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence.” 2000). http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181867.pdf)
•    Almost 1/3 of all female homicides victims in the United States were killed by their intimate partner. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Intimate Partner Violence in the United States.” December 2007).
•    Approximately 450,000 domestic incidents are reported annually to police departments in NYS. (DCJS Domestic Incident Report Data, 2001-2002).
•    Only about 48% of all violent victimizations, in 2003, were reported to police (Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, “Criminal Victimization, 2003.” September 2004).
•    84% of adults believe that domestic violence is a problem in the United States. (Harris International. “Majority of U.S. Adults Think Domestic Violence is a Serious Problem in the United States Today.” June 2006).  http://www.harrisinteractive.com

As one of the prominent domestic relation firms in New York, Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. works to achieve successful divorce judgments that are in the best interests of their clients and their clients children.  The firm handles a full range of domestic relations issues including child support, child custody, spousal maintenance, as well as the equitable distribution of assets.  If you are seeking a separation agreement, divorce action, or other family law issues please feel free to contact Leeds, Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation or view their web page at www.lmblaw.com.

President Obama has called on Congress to repeal the1996 Defense of Marriage Act. The law was signed by President Bill Clinton and denies married same-sex couples the federal benefits granted to other married couples which included Social Security survivor payments and the right to file joint tax returns.  Justification for the marriage act was to “encourage responsible procreation.”   However, last month, two rulings by Judge Joseph Tauro, a federal trial judge in Massachusetts, were appealed, who found that the law’s denial of benefits to married same-sex couples was unconstitutional.  He explained that the marriage act exceeded Congress’s powers and infringed on the state’s right to regulate marriage.  Two new lawsuits have also come about, one filed in Connecticut and one filed in New York, both challenging the Defense of Marriage Act.  Read More.

Currently, discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation is not itself is not yet protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but this law does makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Additionally, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) does not enforce the protections that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation.  Please visit the EEOC’s website for more information.

The lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, located in Nassau County, New York, have fought against all forms of discrimination for over two decades with much success. If you have been a victim of discrimination because of your age, gender, race, or sexual orientation, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-800-585-4658.

A new study published in the United Kingdom shows couples in their 20’s are the most likely group to divorce.  An attributing factor is the celebrity culture fuels a rise in so-called “starter marriages” that end within five years.  Although the overall number of divorces in England and Wales in 2009 fell to its lowest level since 1974, the divorce rate among 25-29 year-olds was twice the average across all age groups.  These figures were put together by the Office for National Statistics.  Full article.

Approximately one in three of all first marriages in the United States end divorce, and 50 percent of second or third marriages end in divorce.  A prenuptial agreement is smart financial planning, legal and financial experts say.  In essence, prenuptial agreement is a contract between two people about to wed that spells out how assets will be distributed in the event of divorce or death.  It is important to consult with an attorney if you wish to draw up a prenuptial agreement. It is vital to consult with an attorney in the event you are given a prenuptial agreement.  Often times, the agreement is filled with legal jargon that is difficult to understand, and the non-initiating spouse may not fully understand what he or she is signing.  Like all contracts, a prenuptial agreement is fully enforceable.  However, the agreement may be declared invalid if signed under duress, coercion, or undue influence.

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C. are experienced in all domestic relations matters, and have represented families in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island.  For any questions concerning domestic relations matters, contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529.  Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C.’s divorce website is located at www.lbdivorcelaw.com.