According to New York Domestic Relations Law, there are certain Automatic Orders, which shall remain in effect while the divorce is pending in Supreme Court.  One of these Automatic Orders addressed in this statute prevents any spouse from selling, transferring, encumbering, assigning, or removing any property without the consent of the other spouse.  This preserves the ability of the court to make a proper ruling on any and all property that they have jurisdiction over at the time the action is brought.  This section of the DRL also covers such topics as 401k retirement plans, health insurance for spouse and children, running up marital debts, and more.

If you or your spouse have filed for divorce or are planning on filing for divorce and you are not sure if this situation is one you will have to encounter, call The Long Island Family Law Firm of Vaughn & Weber, PLLC, at (516) 858-2620 to speak with a family law attorney!

Please visit our Family Law and Divorce categories to learn more about Family Law and Divorce issues.

Tenants and Foreclosure

On May 17, 2010, in Foreclosure, Landlord-Tenant, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

Many tenants are finding out that the property they are renting has been foreclosed on. As I stated in an earlier post, NY foreclosure law now requires that tenants residing in foreclosed properties receive written notification of the change in ownership of the property. The law also requires that the tenant be allowed to remain in  the foreclosed home for the remainder of their lease term or 90 days, whichever is longer.

Hopefully, you have a lease that was executed prior to the start of the foreclosure action and can find suitable housing for you and your family before your lease expires. If you do not have a lease, then you will only have 90 days to pack up and move your loved ones and all of your belongings.  After that, the new owner, which often times is the foreclosing lender, will seek to evict you.

If you are facing this type of eviction or any other type of eviction, we may be able to stop the eviction and get you additional time to move, etc. We were recently able to stop a foreclosing lender from forcing a family of seven (7) out onto the street.

Long Island Landlord Tenant Attorney

As always,  the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC is here to assist you.  Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a consultation with a Landlord-Tenant and Foreclosure Defense Lawyer.

Please visit our Foreclosure and Landlord-Tenant categories to learn more about foreclosure and Landlord-Tenant issues.

Bankruptcy Attorney. Bankruptcy and The Automatic Stay

On May 13, 2010, in Bankruptcy, by Robbie L. Vaughn, Esq.

The Automatic Stay

The filing of a chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case automatically stays (stops or suspends) virtually all collection attempts (including those harassing phone calls), attachments, garnishments, foreclosures, and other actions by creditors against the person filing (the debtor) and their property.  A few days after a chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy case is filed, the court will mail a notice to all creditors ordering them to refrain from taking any further action against the debtor.  Any creditor who intentionally violates the automatic stay may be held liable in damages to the debtor.

However, criminal proceedings and actions to collect domestic support obligations are not normally stayed. The automatic stay also does not protect cosigners and guarantors of the person filing, and a creditor may continue to collect debts from those persons after the case is filed (chapter 7) or completed (chapter 13). Also, debtors who have had one or more recent bankruptcy cases dismissed may have the automatic stay shortened or denied altogether.

Caveat: A creditor could make a motion to “lift” the automatic stay. Such a motion, if granted, would allow that creditor to continue collection efforts against the debtor or their property.

Bankruptcy Attorney in Mineola

As always, the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC is here to assist you.  We are conveniently located in the heart of Nassau County, Long Island, at 393 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola, NY 11501.  Contact us at (516) 858-2620 to arrange a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney.

Please visit our Bankruptcy category to learn more about filing chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy.

Modification of a Child Support Order or Agreement

On May 5, 2010, in Family Law, by John A. Weber IV, ESQ.

There are an increasing number of modification questions coming into our firm.  Modification of a child support order is slightly different than modification of a child support agreement.  It is more rare that a court will order a modification of a child support agreement because it interferes with parties right to contract.  Child support agreements are however incorporated into judgments of divorce and are enforced the same as a child support order.  It is just a more difficult burden to meet in order to have the court modify the agreement.

If you have a child support agreement or child support order and are having problems making payments or having problems collecting monies owed to you, feel free to call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC, at (516) 858-2620 to speak with a family law attorney!

Please visit our Family Law and Divorce categories to learn more about Family Law and Divorce issues.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. This website is Attorney Advertising. It does not form an attorney-client relationship. We are a debt relief agency and a law firm that helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code – Title 11. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Proudly assisting residents of Long Island, Nassau county, Suffolk county, New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan