Divorce Lawyers in Albany / Family Law

FAMILY LAW LAWYERS

Divorce, Separation, Pre-Nuptial, Child Support, Child Custody Serving Albany, NY's Great Capital Region & Adjoining Counties

DIVORCE & SEPARATION AGREEMENTS
Divorce is never easy. You and your spouse are full of emotion, making rational decisions difficult. Bring kids into the divorce scenario and your battle can get all the more bitter.

At Sommers & Sommers, LLP, we represent both men and women and realize the unique set of concerns you have. We will work with you to fully understand your situation and devise the best possible strategy for settlement or trial.

PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT
A pre-nuptial agreement is a contract between two people entering into marriage. Rather than being viewed as a relationship-killer, a pre-nup can and should work to define the parameters of your economic partnership before your marriage takes place. We'll even give you advice on how to best approach the topic with your significant other since it's wise to discuss this prior to your engagement.

You can be assured that our lawyers will draft your pre-nup to protect your division of property and create guidelines for spousal support and other things in the event of divorce.

CHILD SUPPORT & CHILD CUSTODY
Negotiating child support and child custody is quite often an emotional matter for many because it involves your mutual love for your child.

Our attorneys will sift through the emotion to try to create a fair and acceptable agreement that fosters your important relationship with your child.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Protecting and fighting for your rights is what our clients have come to know and expect from our 81 years of experience.

Andrew Sommers, Esq. has appeared as a radio guest speaker and also has lectured for Lorman Education Services, a leading provider of continuing education seminars in the United States.

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT & OUR RATES
Please call our office at (518) 465-2426 to schedule an appointment or email your inquiry to familylaw@lawyersalbany.com. During our initial meeting, our attorneys will listen carefully to your particular situation and will then be in a better position to give you a cost estimate and a retainer agreement. Please understand that we are not in a position to give fee quotes over the phone.

All information you share with our attorneys is kept strictly confidential.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Here's what our matrimonial clients say:

"I appreciate your attention and excellent service that you provided. I
think not only did I find strong legal counsel but a person with high
ethical standards and a good man. Again thank you for all your help ... "
J D

"THANK YOU ... for everything----" B M

Here's what our family law clients say:

"Thank you guys for everything. You made a hard time in my life go smooth."
J P

"I really appreciate all the wonderful work you have done, and continue to do for me". L P

"... thank you again for all your hard work ..." G & J D

TRIAL EXPERIENCE - DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW

Here are some of Andrew's TRIAL VICTORIES as a divorce lawyer and family law lawyer:

Modification of Child Support Case
On January 14, 2008, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in an Albany County Family Court Decision. The Court dismissed an application for an increase in child support from Mr. Sommers' client.

Willful Violation Case
On December 20, 2006, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in a Saratoga County Family Court Decision. Andrew proved a willful violation and his client was also awarded counsel fees.

Modification of Child Support Case
On August 12, 2005, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in an Albany County Family Court Decision after a four (4) day trial. Andrew defeated an application seeking an increase in child support and his client was also awarded expert fees.

Equitable Distribution, Spousal Support, & Grounds for Divorce Case
On March 16, 2005, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in a Saratoga County Supreme Court Decision after a three (3) day trial. Among other things, the Court awarded Andrew's client equitable distribution of one-half the proceeds from the sale of the marital residence plus a $75,000 credit for overseeing construction, maintaining it, and preparing it for sale, and other credits.

The Court also awarded Andrew's client:
_    one-half of the marital portion of the other party's pension;
_    $1,000.00 per month in maintenance retroactive to the date the divorce action was filed, and continuing until age 65, either party's death, or Andrew's client's remarriage, whichever first occurs;
_    health insurance for five (5) years; reimbursement for car payments retroactive to the date the divorce action was filed, and ordered the other party to pay-off the balance of her car loan;
_    $20,000.00 in counsel fees; and expert fees.
In an earlier phase of the same case, on August 27, 2004, Andrew prevailed after a two (2) day bitterly contested grounds trial. The Court ruled that Andrew's client was entitled to a divorce based on cruel and inhuman treatment.

Visitation Rights Case
On December 14, 2004, Andrew prevailed in a Rensselaer County Family Court trial. Andrew's client, the custodial parent, was seeking a spec if ic visitation schedule for the non-custodial parent, while the non-custodial parent desired the continuation of an open-ended visitation schedule. Andrew was successful in convincing the Court to rule in his client's favor, despite an adverse recommendation from a Rensselaer County Unified Services evaluator.

Order of Protection Case
On July 2, 2004, Andrew prevailed in an Columbia County Family Court trial. On Andrew's motion at the close of the petitioner's case, the Court dismissed a family offense Petition seeking an Order of Protection against Andrew's client.

Equitable Distribution and Grounds for Divorce Case
On April 7, 2004, Andrew was awarded $5,000.00 in attorneys' fees as part of an equitable distribution trial in Schenectady County Supreme Court. On October 9, 2003, Andrew prevailed in a contested grounds trial in the same case, when the Court ruled that his client was entitled to a divorce based on cruel and inhuman treatment.

Child Support Case
On May 15, 2003, Andrew prevailed in an Albany County Family Court child support decision. The Court awarded his client full child support per the Child Support Standards Act Guidelines, which the other party unsuccessfully argued was unjust and inappropriate.

Spousal Support & Child Support Case
On March 19, 2003, Andrew prevailed in an Albany County Family Court child support and spousal support decision. The Court awarded his client full child support per the Child Support Standards Act Guidelines, which the other party unsuccessfully argued was unjust and inappropriate, and also awarded spousal support. On March 28, 2003, in the same case, the Court awarded Andrew attorneys' fees.

Child Relocation Case
On February 27, 2003, Andrew prevailed in a Schoharie County Family Court decision following a five (5) day relocation trial. The Court ruled that a parent was prohibited from relocating to the Buffalo area with the parties' child. The relocation would have substantially diminished Andrew's client's regular contact with the child and deprived his client's family members of substantial contact as well.

Child Support Case
On February 24, 2003, Andrew prevailed in a Saratoga County Family Court child support decision. The Court awarded his client full child support per the Child Support Standards Act Guidelines, which the other party unsuccessfully argued was unjust and inappropriate.

COURT EXPERIENCE - DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW

Here are some of Andrew's other COURT VICTORIES as a divorce lawyer and family law lawyer:

Temporary Spousal Support Case
On December 28, 2006, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in a Columbia County Family Court Decision. Andrew defeated an application for temporary spousal support.

Modification of Child Support Case
On January 4, 2008, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in a Schenectady County Family Court Decision. The Court dismissed an application for an increase in child support from Mr. Sommers' client.

Temporary Spousal Support and Counsel Fee Case
On January 2, 2008, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in a Columbia County Supreme Court Decision. The Court denied an application for temporary maintenance and temporary counsel fees from Mr. Sommers' client. An earlier request for temporary maintenance was previously denied in Columbia County Family Court on December 28, 2006.

Temporary Spousal Support Case
On December 28, 2006, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in a Family Court Decision. Andrew defeated an application spousal support.

Modification of Child Support Case
On December 5, 2005, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in an Albany County Family Court Decision which awarded his client substantial expert fees.

Child Custody Case
On June 21, 2005, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in a motion in Schoharie County Family Court. The Court dismissed the vast majority of a petition seeking to modify a very specific and liberal schedule of custodial access. As a result, Andrew's client will continue to enjoy liberal time with the parties' child.

Divorce Case
On February 10, 2005, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in an Albany County Supreme Court Decision. Andrew's motion for a default judgment of divorce was granted, with costs. He was also awarded interim counsel fees of $1,500.00.

Child Relocation and Visitation Rights Case
On December 23, 2004, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed as a result of Third Department Appellate Division appeal. The Court reversed an adverse Schoharie County Family Court decision on the facts and on the law. The Third Department ruled that the custodial parent was prohibited from relocating to Mississippi with the parties' child. The relocation would have substantially diminished Andrew's client's regular and substantial contact with the child. Andrew tried the case for three (3) days. This was his second victory in a major relocation trial in two (2) years in the Schoharie County Family Court.

Child Support Case
On August 13, 2004, Andrew prevailed in a Saratoga County Family Court Decision. The Court upheld an earlier dismissal of a petition seeking child support from Andrew's client, a non-resident of New York State. This was the third time Andrew obtained a dismissal of petitions against his client in the same case.

Spousal Support Case
On October 15, 2003, Andrew prevailed in a motion in Greene County Family Court. The Court dismissed a petition seeking a downward modification, or elimination, of spousal support. As a result, Andrew's client will continue receiving spousal support under a December, 2001 Judgment of Divorce. On November 26, 2002, in earlier litigation between the same parties, Andrew prevailed in a Greene County Supreme Court motion. The Court ordered the other party to provide his client with not only $100,000 out of his IRA, which he refused to do under the terms of the Judgment of Divorce, but also interest. The Court also ordered the other party to pay Andrew's attorneys fees.

Attempt to Vacate Separation Agreement Case
On July 29, 2003, Andrew prevailed in a Schoharie County Supreme Court decision. The Court ruled, in his client's favor, that a party is not required to provide current financial disclosure where the parties previously signed a Separation Agreement. Disclosure was permitted only through the date of the Agreement. The Court also ordered costs to be paid by the losing party.

PLEASE NOTE THAT PRIOR OUTCOMES DO NOT GUARANTY FUTURE RESULTS AND EACH CASE IS DECIDED ON ITS OWN SPECIFIC FACTS

We built our reputation on the respect and praise of our clients and colleagues. Now, let us help you. Please call 518.465.2426 to schedule an appointment.