Washington Park in Albany, New York



Auto Accident • Divorce & Family Law
Any Personal Injuries • Real Estate Law
Traffic & Motor Vehicle Violations

Serving the Capital District & Tech Valley areas of New York State.
 

Sommers & Sommers LLP – Albany Divorce Attorney and Family Law

NEW:  Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. was one of the attorneys featured in an article on the new No-fault divorce law in the June 10-16, 2011 edition of the Business Review!

If you’re in need of an experienced divorce attorney or family law attorney in the Albany, NY area, then please Contact Sommers & Sommers LLP. Read below for an extensive list of client testimonials and trial history.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Here’s what our matrimonial law clients are saying:

  • “I… would like to extend my gratitude for your professionalism and guidance…I would recommend you and your firm in the future.” –  T N
  • “Thank you very much for your sage advice.” –  M L
  • “Thanks for your help!” – R M
  • “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 are saying:

  • NEW “Thanks again for all your help.” – M.C.
  • “Just want to thank you for all you’ve done for myself and my family. I do believe your presence made a definite difference in the outcome of this case. It has been a pleasure working with you. We will certainly call you again if we need you. Again, thank you.” – J C
  • “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

Here are some of Andrew’s TRIAL VICTORIES as an Albany divorce attorney and family lawyer:

NEW On June 22, 2011, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in an Albany County Family Court Decision after a three (3) day trial. The Court granted an upward modification of  child support and awarded counsel fees to  Mr. Sommers’ client.

NEW On June 1, 2011, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in an Albany County Family Court Decision.  The Court dismissed an application to decrease child support paid to  Mr.   Sommers’ client.

On July 30, 2009, 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.

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.

  • On November 9, 2007, Andrew C. Sommers, Esq. prevailed in an Albany County Family Court Decision. Following trial, the Court dismissed  an application seeking an increase in maintenance from Mr. Sommers’ client.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • On December 14, 2004, Andrew prevailed in a Rensselaer County Family Court trial. Andrew’s client, the custodial parent, was seeking a specific 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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

On November 4, 2010,  the  Appellate Division,  Third Department, in Matter of Grange v. Grange, ___ AD3d ___, reversed an adverse Albany County Family Court decision on the law.  The end result was a trial victory for Andrew C. Sommers, Esq., who defeated an  application for an increase in spousal support against his client.

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

LECTURES

Andrew has lectured on two (2) different topics at a Family Law seminar presented by Lorman Education Services.

FEATURED GUEST Andrew appeared as the featured guest for the sixth time on the Girvin & Ferlazzo radio program on February 26, 2011.