The SEL Matrimonial & Family Law Team brings more than a century of combined family law experience handling divorce, custody, and complex financial matters throughout New York.
Our practice is concentrated almost entirely on divorce, matrimonial, and family law matters. Over 90% of our work is devoted to representing clients in these areas.
Collectively, our team has handled hundreds of divorce cases, ranging from straightforward uncontested matters to sophisticated, multi-million-dollar disputes involving businesses, real estate portfolios, and complex compensation structures, spousal and child support cases involving hidden assets and/or imputed income, as well as high-conflict custody cases involving parental alienation and mental health issues and evaluations.
Whether your case involves custody issues, a high-net-worth financial structure, business valuation, or concerns about hidden assets, our team has extensive experience managing, and resolving, matters with the same complexities.
Yes. All of our attorneys are licensed to practice in New York State and appear regularly in courts throughout NYC, Long Island and Westchester. Because of our proven results, we are also often called upon to counsel and represent individuals in other states and jurisdictions.
Extremely familiar. Over decades, our team has appeared before nearly every matrimonial and family court judge in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. That familiarity and experience informs our strategy and preparation.
Yes. We routinely represent clients across all five boroughs, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County. We also appear in other counties from time to time.
Absolutely. While most cases settle, our team has significant trial and courtroom experience, and we are fully prepared to litigate when necessary.
The majority of our cases resolve through negotiation or mediation. However, when settlement is not possible or not in a client’s best interest, our trial team is fully prepared to advocate for the client in court.
Yes. Our attorneys regularly represent athletes, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, medical professionals, attorneys, and business owners whose cases require sophisticated financial analysis and strategic negotiation.
Yes. We have extensive experience uncovering hidden income, identifying concealed assets, and working with forensic accountants to ensure full financial transparency.
Yes. Our team often represents clients in high-conflict and emotionally charged divorces, including custody battles and contentious financial disputes.
New York does not offer formal certification in matrimonial law, but our attorneys have dedicated their careers almost exclusively to this field.
Members of our team are active in the New York State Bar Association, the Family Law Section, and additional professional groups focused on matrimonial practice, continuing education, and trial advocacy.
Very experienced. Our team drafts, negotiates, and litigates prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, including matters involving high-net-worth individuals and blended family dynamics.
Yes. We regularly advise unmarried partners on financial arrangements, property rights, and separation agreements.
While our core focus is divorce and custody, our team advises select clients on parentage issues, donor agreements, and related family-law matters. In fact, our team successfully handled one of the first filed second-parent adoption proceedings filed in New York.
Yes. We have handled matters involving international jurisdiction, relocation, and cross-border custody disputes.
Absolutely. The SEL team is committed to serving LGBTQ+ families and regularly handles divorces, custody matters, and parentage issues for LGBTQ+ clients.
Yes, while we do typically charge for consultations, we will often ask for a charitable donation to one of the charities we are involved in, in lieu of a consult fee. Our consultations are comprehensive legal meetings designed to provide meaningful guidance, not brief introductions. Clients leave with clarity about their rights and potential strategies.
While it is not required, we recommend bringing financial documents (tax returns, paystubs, bank statements), prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and any existing court orders. More information allows us to provide more tailored guidance.
All clients meet with a senior attorney who will evaluate the matter, discuss goals, and outline a preliminary strategy. Additional team members may assist as appropriate.
Typically one hour, though complex matters may require additional time.
Yes. We provide specific, actionable legal advice based on your situation and New York law.
We assess whether your needs align with our core strengths: divorce, custody, support, and complex financial matters. Fit is important for both the client and the firm.
Absolutely. We examine prenuptial/postnuptial agreements or separation agreements to determine their enforceability and impact on your case.
Yes. While strategy evolves with additional information, you will leave the consultation with an initial roadmap.
Key information includes financial details, parenting history, goals, concerns about safety or control, and any urgent issues requiring immediate attention.
We consider uncontested divorce, negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, or contested litigation depending on your circumstances, financial complexity, and goals.
Our team takes a strategic, fact-driven approach. We tailor our strategy to your priorities, whether that means protecting children, preserving assets, uncovering hidden income, or minimizing conflict.
We provide an honest assessment of both, enabling you to make informed decisions with a full understanding of potential outcomes.
Timelines vary based on complexity, court schedules, and cooperation between spouses. We provide realistic expectations early on.
We gather key documents, identify urgent issues, establish communication protocols, and prepare initial filings.
The process may include service, discovery, financial exchange, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and, if necessary, trial preparation.
Yes. Settlement often saves time, money, and emotional stress. However, we prepare every case as though it may be litigated, strengthening our negotiation position.
With professionalism, structure, and strategic boundaries. We keep the case focused on progress, not conflict.
Through targeted discovery, subpoenas, forensic accountants, lifestyle analysis, and deep financial review.
We collaborate with leading forensic experts to evaluate businesses, investments, deferred compensation, and other sophisticated financial structures.
With preparation, strength, clarity, and an understanding of New York case law and judicial expectations.
Courts consider the best interest of the child, including parental involvement, ability to foster the relationship with the other parent, stability, communication, decision-making, and home environment.
Legal custody concerns decision-making for major issues affecting the children, such as medical and health related issues, education issues and religion.
Physical custody essentially means where the child or children will reside.
It depends. It is a factor to consider. Preferences for older or more mature children are given greater weight than for younger children.
Absolutely. Our team designs parenting plans that promote stability, fairness, and reduced conflict.
Alienation is taken seriously. We address it through documentation, evaluations, and, when necessary, court intervention.
Relocation cases require careful analysis under New York law, and our team has extensive experience on both sides of these disputes.
Yes. We represent clients seeking or opposing supervised access.
We move promptly to enforce the order and protect your parental rights.
A substantial change in circumstances may justify modification. We prepare and litigate these applications regularly.
Support is determined using statutory formulas based on parental income, though courts may deviate when appropriate.
Add-ons such as medical, childcare, and educational expenses are typically divided proportionally based on income. There is a distinction between statutory add-ons and discretionary add-on expenses.
Yes. Courts often allocate college expenses based on financial ability. This often depends on the age of the child or children. Courts will often defer the issue if the children are young.
Maintenance depends on statutory guidelines as well as factors such as income disparities, earning capacity, lifestyle, and the length of the marriage.
We work closely with forensic accountants to uncover concealed income and ensure accurate support calculations.
There are various child enforcement remedies, including wage garnishment, judgments, enforcement petitions, and contempt applications when necessary.
Absent exceptions, property acquired during the marriage, regardless of title, is typically considered marital and subject to equitable distribution.
Property acquired before the marriage, inheritances, gifts to one spouse, and certain personal-injury awards.
It may become marital. Tracing and forensic analysis can be required.
Through discovery, document review, expert valuation, and financial analysis.
Options include selling the property, buyouts, or deferred arrangements depending on custody and financial factors.
Typically through QDROs or DOPOs. We work with qualified experts to ensure accuracy.
These assets require precise valuation and careful distribution – areas in which our team has significant experience.
With the help of experienced forensic accountants, we analyze cashflow, assets, goodwill, and market conditions.
Inheritances are separate property unless commingled, or if the appreciation of such inherited assets is due to active efforts.
Through subpoenas, audits, forensic review, and targeted discovery strategies.
Mediation can be effective depending on the issues in dispute and the couple’s dynamic. We evaluate whether mediation aligns with your goals and circumstances.
Yes. We advise clients throughout the mediation process to ensure informed decisions and legally sound agreements.
An uncontested divorce may be appropriate, and our team can prepare and finalize all required documents.
Each spouse commits to resolving disputes outside court, supported by collaborative-trained attorneys and neutral professionals.
We transition seamlessly to litigation or negotiation to protect your interests.
Our team responds promptly, typically within one business day — sooner for urgent matters.
Yes. Clients have direct access to their lead attorney, supported by a highly skilled team.
You will receive consistent updates on all major developments and filings.
Our rates vary and reflect the experience and sophistication of a boutique New York matrimonial practice handling complex and high-stakes matters.
Retainers vary based on case complexity and anticipated scope of work.
Yes. Clients receive detailed, transparent billing statements each month.
Being organized, responsive, and strategic in communication helps reduce legal fees.
A dedicated team, including senior attorneys, associates, and paralegals, collaborates to provide comprehensive, efficient representation.
Yes. We want every client to feel comfortable with the professionals supporting their case.
A senior attorney from the team will appear at all key hearings and conferences.
Clients choose our firm because we offer the sophistication of a premier New York matrimonial practice combined with the personal attention of a boutique firm. Our team brings nearly three decades of deep experience, strategic thinking, courtroom strength, financial acumen, and unwavering commitment to protecting your children, your assets, and your future. We understand the stakes — and we guide you through every step with clarity, compassion, and elite-level advocacy.