Recent Blog Posts

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Divorce

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:00:00 GMT

The Marriage of Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries – Real or false?

On 20^th August 2011, the well publicised ‘fairytale’ marriage ceremony between Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries took place. Only a mere 72 days have since passed and on the 31^st October 2011 Kim announced the surprising revelation that she has officially filed for divorce – a decision that has caused many people including the media to criticise how genuine the marriage actually was. Subsequently, since the breakdown has surfaced, the results of an internet voting poll have been published clearly highlighting that the majority believe that the marriage was entirely false. To be precise, only 18% of the public chose to believe that the marriage was genuine; leaving an overwhelming 82% choosing to believe it was indeed a sham. It should firstly be stated that we as spectators will never know the truth as to whether the marriage was genuine or not, we can only build our own assumptions from what we read and see in today’s media. From what has already surfaced in the past few weeks, we can analyse each aspect and reach our own individual conclusions.

In the divorce papers that have been filed at Los Angeles Superior Court, Kim has expressed that ‘’irreconcilable differences’ are the reason behind the decision to separate. However, it has been alleged that Kim was unhappy over Kris Humphries decision to hire a Hollywood publicist to maximise his career, when apparently he had made it clear in the past that the publicity and media spotlight was something he was particularly against, & had always wanted to lead a quieter private married life. Consequently, this contradictory decision by Humphries is allegedly one of the reasons behind Kim’s decision to divorce.

Furthermore, the public as well as the media are suggesting that the endless future possibilities surrounding wealth & success played a big part in the marriage between the couple. Did they marry for all the wrong reasons? Did future financial prospects have any influence upon their decision to marry? Reports have estimated that the wedding ceremony alone totaled to over 10 million dollars, however, as a result of the accompanying magazine deals and broadcasting rights it is estimated that the couple made an overall profit of 18 million dollars. Again, can it be argued that the marriage was done purely for love? Or controversially, can it be viewed as simply an investment for the couple?

Kim strongly denies these accusations and in a statement recently published on her website states ‘‘I married for love, I can’t believe I even have to defend this’’. She adds that she is fully aware of the various opinions expressed within the media, but whilst trying to ignore them it is difficult when many are reporting the wrong reasons behind the decision to divorce. Furthermore, Kim denies that she has made millions from the wedding stating ‘’this is simply not true & it makes me sad to even have to clarify this.’’ Additionally, in her statement she adds that she will be donating money for all the wedding gifts to her chosen charity the Dream Foundation.

Another perspective that can be analysed is the lack of privacy due to being constantly in front of the cameras and in the public eye – a price Kim has to pay for her career as a worldwide reality TV star. Being permanently in the media spotlight will undoubtedly create added pressures upon the survival of a relationship. Kim has also expressed her opinion supporting this theory, stating that ‘’I got caught up with the hoopla and the filming of the TV show that when I probably should have ended the relationship I didn’t know how to and I didn’t want to disappoint a lot of people.’’ Further, to add to this, even the wedding itself was broadcasted on the television for the world to see – again a decision which was perhaps not the wisest, but again a decision they made themselves so it is only they who are wholly responsible for the subsequent repercussions.

The divorce papers filed at Los Angeles Superior Court indicate that a prenuptial agreement was already firmly in place before the marriage took place in order to determine the separation of assets between the couple. Although the exact details have not been revealed, it is rumoured that all the assets will be kept separate leaving nothing shared between the couple. This decision was supposedly made by Kim and it is hardly surprising when each partner’s yearly profits are compared. Kim alone generates an estimated 35 million a year fortune in stark contrast to Humphries who brings in 3.2 million. Furthermore, his contract with the NBA’s New Jersey Nets has since expired and as such is now a free agent. Therefore, this logical tactic by Kim will reject claims by Humphries for any spousal support & will prevent him from being entitled to any of his partner’s mass fortune. This cleverly predetermined agreement should also not come as a shock considering the fact that Kim’s father is hugely known for his career as an attorney so there can be no doubt that he will have dedicated a lot of time to the input of the agreement, ensuring his daughter’s assets remain secure and separate.

Aside from these supposed terms within the prenuptial agreement, it has also been reported in the press that Kim will not be returning her engagement ring to Humphries. It would however appear difficult anyway for Kris to try and claim the ring back due to certain statutes that determine the ownership of the engagement ring, contained within the California Civil Code 1950. Such laws express clearly that once the marriage ceremony has taken place, the ring automatically becomes property of the bride. This is also known as a ‘conditional gift’. The main condition being that upon the giving of the engagement ring, marriage is the only intention for the couple. If this conditional promise of marriage does not occur then the ring will remain the property of the person who proposed. So, it therefore appears that once the divorce is finalised, Kris Humphries will be left with very little, if anything at all. Perhaps it was in fact a clever, tactical move by Humphries to hire a publicist considering all of the above? It does seem to be a perfect opportunity to enhance his current financial situation particularly while the divorce is very much still the hot topic in today’s press.

To conclude, it is clear that the appropriately named ‘fairytale’ wedding just wasn’t supposed to be after all. Kim’s mother Kris Jenner has been quoted stating that her daughter ‘is not the first person in the world to divorce & she won’t be the last...People have to stop judging.’ On a final note, I believe it would be reasonable to state that it would appear many people did not have much optimism for the couple’s future in the first place. Therefore, the shock element here is not the divorce itself, but rather the brevity of the marriage itself - 72 days...come on.

Celebrity Divorces

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:19:00 GMT

It is not a surprise when the statistics highlight that one in every two marriages will result in divorce. What may be left uncertain however, are the underlying reasons behind why this is the case, and why this 50% divorce rate does not ooze optimism for future celebrity couples wanting to enter into marriage. What can be said for certain is that for the majority of us who lead normal, non famous lifestyles, we will never know the factual reasons for dissolution of a celebrity marriage. We, as onlookers can only make presumptions based upon what we read and hear in the ever present media culture.

One particular theme that appears to be common in a celebrity divorce is the demanding work schedule that comes with the so called celebrity lifestyle. A well known concern is the ability to effectively achieve a proportionate balance between individual career needs whilst providing their partners with both emotional and physical satisfaction. A particular barrier that sometimes prevents the devotional element in a high profile relationship is the up keeping of a reputation. This is particularly a concern for those partners who are motivated more by their careers than a relationship. These more career driven individuals focus more on their work commitments and fail to recognise and maintain the needs of their partners in order to sustain a well balanced marriage and thus the relationship irretrievably breaks down. The divorce of Scarlett Johansson & Ryan Reynolds in 2010 is a prime example of a conflicting work schedule. It became apparent that Scarlett was not able to cope effectively with the stress of spending too much time apart and focusing on their careers whilst not putting as much effort into the relationship. Ryan eventually filed for divorce stating in the divorce papers that it was down to an ‘’irreconcilable difference.’’

In addition to the above, the widespread publicity and the publicised issue regarding a celebrity’s privacy are placing added pressures on existing relationships, which subsequently strains the ability to maintain a successful marriage. It is difficult for a celebrity couple to go about their daily routines without being subject to attention from the media and the press. What may be a normal daily activity for us becomes a frustration to the famous who are constantly under scrutiny from tabloids, journalists & the paparazzi. It is of the understanding that celebrities would take great satisfaction in being able to carry out normal activities without having to be conscious of what is happening around them. Furthermore, what about the rumours and stories that are generated within the media? Every day we see hundreds of stories printed in newspapers, the internet & glossy magazines alleging that various incidents have occurred between the celebrity couple. The overwhelming majority of these revelations are based upon little or no evidential proof, and purely on hearsay and speculation. Although the celebrities themselves may know the real truth behind the rumours, it does not stop society from questioning to see whether these allegations are true or not, placing unnecessary pressure on the couple. Upon the finalising of Ryan Reynold’s divorce with Scarlett Johansson, he was quoted stating that ‘the media wasn’t invited into my marriage, and their definitely not invited into my divorce.’ Although it is easier said than done, the key to overcoming these external social pressures is learning how to control and deal with the situation, ensuring they do not fall further into the grasp of the ever - growing media culture.

Perhaps the most reoccurring accusation that fuels divorce rumours is the problem of infidelity. It was seen in 2010 in the relationship of Sandra Bullock & Jesse James whereby it was alleged that Jesse had an ongoing affair which was the reasoning for the marriage breaking down. He was quoted in the divorce papers stating that it was simply a ‘’discord or conflict of personalities’. So why does it appear to be such a difficulty in maintaining the faithfulness aspect of a celebrity marriage? One word that particularly stands out in trying to find an answer to this problem of deviation is ‘opportunity’. A male or female celebrity will have a fan base with the majority consisting of the opposite sex. Is infidelity caused by this overwhelming amount of admiration that creates available opportunities for temptation to take over? This can relate back to the problem of conflicting work schedules whereby the couple are not spending enough time with each other, this may be more apparent in long distance relationships. Spending a sufficient amount of time with one another is an obvious ingredient for a successful relationship without such would create a distance and consequently a craving for attention – the solution for many celebrities being infidelity.

An additional reoccurring theme within celebrity divorces is the wealth and success that having a celebrity status creates. For some, fame and fortune becomes a priority and overrides the more sentimental aspects of a relationship. A well known fact is that money is not everything. By all means it may be a huge step in securing a fraction of future happiness, but without the most important requirements such as time, affection & attention, a relationship based on a purely finaincial outlook will without doubt be a challenge to stand the test of time. In the past few years, there has been considerable debate over the option to now enter into prenuptial agreements. When a marriage breaks down, a prenuptial agreement simply determines what each partner will receive upon the finalising of the divorce. Those commentators who disagree against such predetermined agreements argue that this goes against the entire purpose of a relationship and that it is predetermining the end of the relationship before it has even begun. In contrast however, especially in celebrity marriages, prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly more common and seem to avoid the more complicated issues that arise throughout the divorce. This can be highlighted by the controversial divorce of Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills where a prenuptial would have clearly been in the beneficial interests of both individuals and would have avoided some of the resentment and hatred that surrounded the divorce. The debate surrounding prenuptial agreements will be sure to continue for many years to come.

Finally, it is apparent that there are various reoccurring reasons for this current trend in celebrity divorces, but we also have to consider that celebrity marriages are much more dramatized and exaggerated within the current media. It has been suggested that the celebrity relationships that do indeed stand the test of time are those that only include one famous person, with the other partner being an ordinary, non famous individual. This detaches themselves from the excessive external pressures from both the media and society, allowing them to lead a slightly less pressured life as compared to the ultimate celebrity lifestyle. To conclude, it is clear that a spotlight marriage is nothing less than a real challenge & only the strongest of relationships will survive this current celebrity divorce culture.

To learn more, CONTACT The Kepanis Law Firm, P.C. today!

New York's No FaultDivorce Might Require Fault

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:24:00 GMT

On October 12, 2010, New York's "no fault" divorce law went into effect. Although the term "no fault" is not actually contained in the statute, the common sense interpretation thereof, or so we all thought, was that New York residents who wanted a divorce would no longer have to allege fault. Such is not the case as an interpretative debate has now erupted in the lower courts of New York.

In the case of Strack v. Strack, a wife sought to divorce her husband based on the New York "no fault" divorce statute. She alleged, in accordance with the statute, that "the relationship between husband and wife has broken down such that it is irretrievable and has been for a period of at least six months." This is basically a paraphrase of the actual law.

However, Judge Robert J. Muller of Essex County pondered the following question: "Whether the [wife's] unilateral statement under oath is irrefutable...or [is] defendant to be afforded the same...due process as is available for any other cause of action in our jurisprudence." His ultimate answer...drum roll please...was that the "no fault" statute was "...not a panacea for those hoping to avoid a trial. Rather, it is simply a new cause of action subject to the same rules of practice governing the subdivisions which have preceded it."

So, it seems that at least one Judge has decided that "no fault" is not "no fault" after all. But wait, a challenger enters the ring...Judge Anthony J. Falanga of Nassau County, a Judge I have actually appeared before. In the cases of A.C. v. D.R. and D.R.C. v. A.C. , Judge Falanga was faced with the same decision that Judge Muller in Essex County faced -- whether or not New York's new "no fault" grounds for divorce was truly "no fault". Judge Falanga took a time machine back to 1822 to cite a New York case that held that "there can be no such thing as an indissoluble partnership" (The case, Skinner v. Dayton, was actually discussing business partnerships, not marital). He then looked outside the State of New York to a Massachusetts case, Caffyn v. Caffyn, for the proposition that "it is sufficient that one or both of the parties subjectively decide that their marriage is over and there is no hope for reconciliation". To sum it all up, Judge Falanga held that "[A] Plaintiff's self-serving declaration about his or her state of mind is all that is required for the dissolution of a marriage on the ground that it is irretrievably broken."

Now, if you have made it this far expecting me to choose a side, you clearly do not know me all that well. I am not going to force your hand and attempt to persuade you one way or the other (I save that for the courtroom). My intent herein was to get you, the reader, involved. I want to hear your thoughts and comments on which side of the "no fault" debate you land on. Happy debating!

TERRELL OWENS Press Release

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:57:00 GMT

TERRELL OWENS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NFL Wide Receiver, TERRELL OWENS Seeking Modification for Child Support Payments Current Payments Due Are Based on 2007 Salary

Los Angeles, CA (September 8, 2011)-Melanie Smith, the mother of Terrell Owens's daughter has filed a petition against Mr. Owens in the state of Georgia for not making full child support payments in the last few months. Her attorney made absurd statements today in the media stating he could face jail time for his non payment. The article posted also states that within the petition filed, Mr. Owens' monthly income is $666,000. This is an income Mr. Owens earned over 4 years ago and does not earn now. Mr. Owens is addressing the petition immediately.

Mr. Owens is currently seeking a modification on child support payments as well as revised visitation agreements for his children. Mr. Owens is not a dead beat Dad. Up until very recently, Mr. Owens paid every child support in full, never missing a payment, with inflated amounts based on a past income he had not been earning for years. It was not until very recently he requested modification due to his current financial challenges.

Douglas Kepanis of the New York based Kepanis Law Firm is currently representing Mr. Owens in all child support cases. "Mr. Owens has a valid defense as to why the full amount of child support has not been paid in the last few months." stated Mr. Kepanis. He also feels that "no family case should be tried in the media, but since Melanie Smith's attorney believes in trying cases in the court of public opinion before a judge even hears both sides of the story", Mr. Kepanis felt compelled to respond that, in his opinion, "Terrell Owens will be vindicated in both the Court of public opinion and the Court of law."

This is an important matter to Mr. Owens and he hopes to resolve all child support payment modification as soon as possible. Mr. Owens is not currently signed to an NFL team and in the past few years of playing has earned much less than what he did in 2007. It is unfortunate that because of his profile, Ms. Smith finds the need to share this information with the media. This is a private family matter.

The NFL Lockout, Child Support and Visitation

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:21:00 GMT

After the hoopla of the Super Bowl died down in February of this year, the attention of NFL fans turned collectively to the impending lockout. Despite the "valiant" efforts of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and the owners of the thirty-two (32) teams, the attempts at negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement ceased on March 11, 2011. On that date, the NFLPA elected to ‘decertify’ the union. In response, the owners initiated a lockout of the players. The result, ten (10) NFL players filed an antitrust lawsuit against the league. A decision was issued in the United States District Court by the Honorable Judge Susan Richard Nelson on April 25, 2011 which invalidated the lockout, which would allow the NFL players to resume training with their teams. However, the NFL has already appealed the decision and refuses to open up any training facilities until the appeal is decided. Now that we have reviewed the procedural aspects, what does this all mean for the NFL players who have to pay child support?

When an NFL player is ordered to pay child support during his tenure as an active player, such support is commensurate with his high earner status. (The NFL league minimum salary in 2010 was $310,000.00 per annum). However, the average NFL player salary in 2010 hovers around the $1,000,000.00 per annum mark. During a lockout, however, there is NO SALARY. This means that all of those child support orders or agreements, entered into while the NFL athlete was earning a considerable salary, become ripe for modification.

In most States, child support orders may be modified upon a showing of a "change in circumstances" or a "substantial change in circumstances". When the salary of an NFL player, an average of almost $1,000,000.00 is reduced to ZERO through no fault of the player himself, as is the case of the lockout, this will surely qualify as a change in circumstances of substantial change in circumstances in almost every State.

There have been recent instances of players’ support check bouncing. Without a salary coming in, unless you are one of the superstar players in the NFL who get paid handsomely for endorsements, your support checks will soon bounce as well. Whether it is a temporary reduction in support or a more long-term reduction, when you have no income, you must seek to reduce your child support payments or risk losing your license, passport, or end up behind bars.

Moreover, if there is no NFL season, players may also seek to have their visitation with their child(ren) modified so that, while they are not traveling for six to eight months, they can enjoy watching their child(ren) grow up and be a more active parent in their lives.

Not all of these types of modifications require a trial in the Courts. The parties can voluntarily agree to modify their child support and/or visitation agreements, execute them, and file them with the Court. However, it must be stressed that each State has different child support and visitation laws and an attorney expert in this area of the law should be sought out for legal advice. As I currently represent two NFL players, I am familiar with the league and the needs of NFL players. Therefore, my door is always open to the professional athlete.

Can you run a successful business and remain married?

Nicholas Cuttonaro of www.BusinessCaffeine.com — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 21:43:00 GMT

If you’re a business owner it can be difficult finding time to meet new people on the dating scene, maintain relationships, or stay happily married. As most couples in metropolitan areas seek divorce as a solution to money related challenges, it’s important to address and identify ways to remain happy, watch your business prosper, and use business ownership as a vehicle to get the most from life and enjoy marriage.

Don't wait for the right person to come into your life. Be the right person to come into someone's life.

Business owners often have high expectations when it comes to getting the most from their employees, vendors, and associates. When it comes to relationships having the same business mentality with respect to "expectations", often works adversely. When your mind is on business all the time it’s sometimes hard to come out of that mentality especially when trying to meet new people.

Some business owners are notorious for putting romantic relationships after business and intentionally avoiding love until business goals have been achieved. Over time it may be difficult to change goal setting habits; failures in business may occur along the way, and the possibility of overlooking a great relationship that may have prospered into a happy marriage remains.

Marriage is not easier when you’re wealthy. A wedding should not be a party for your friends and business associates.

Owning a successful business that experiences growth can be an exhilarating time. During rapid periods of expansion, business owners may enjoy the fruits of their labor as positive financial changes exist with the influx of income. Defining yourself after obtaining wealth and power often leads to attracting partners only interested in your success and fortune. You don’t have to be a celebrity to have multiple divorces. As the media loves to cover high-profile gossip, the reason why relationships and marriages end in divorce usually revolves around money.

Weddings can be an exorbitant expense, especially in New York City. Some successful business owners dream of their wedding day as the pinnacle of their success and a lavish party for friends, family, and business associates to enjoy. As television has glamorized this type of behavior, it’s no surprise why relationships based on money can go downhill quickly. There’s nothing wrong sharing a martial life that’s full of wealth, love, and defining moments, but basing life around the success (or failure) of one’s business career is like building home out of a deck of playing cards.

Respect, celebrate, and encourage success in business.

It’s important for couples to set realistic expectations if there is a business involved in the relationship. Having open and honest communication is critical when starting or capitalizing a new business, taking on business partners or outside investors, projecting income, and planning an exit strategy. A tremendous amount of time needs to be dedicated to ensuring that business visions become realities. It’s imperative that love and support is present from both parties, emotionally and financially.

An equal balance of conversation related to business and other topics is vital. Maintaining a relationship with someone that is always talking about business can become irritating and be viewed as self-centered. Regardless of intentions, carrying a relationship on with a partner or spouse that never shares details related to business can come across as shady, disreputable, or even unfaithful.

If your partner or spouse shows signs of basing the marriage or relationship entirely around the business, speak up! Awareness is the first step to behavioral change. A balance of communication related to business happenings, insights on unrelated topics and modern culture, and setting aside time for "romantic experiences" is necessary for developing a successful business and a marriage that’s full of pleasant surprises and fulfillment.

Nicholas Cuttonaro is a columnist for BusinessCaffeine.com , a small business blog dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Handling the Celebrity Client

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:09:00 GMT

When handling a legal matter for a celebrity client, especially in the family law arena, an attorney must not only handle the legal strategy, but also take on the Herculean task of being the ringmaster of what usually is a three-ring circus.

The first ring consists of the celebrity themselves. Each celebrity comes with baggage: press, career, public perception. They say that there is no such thing as bad press BUT, when it comes to the law, there is such a thing as bad press. Public perception of how a celebrity treats their spouse or children can have an effect on the overall outcome of the case as follows - a shining example is the recent case of Kelsey Grammar ("Frasier") and his wife Camille Grammar (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills").

When EXTRA or Page 6 ran stories that Kelsey had been seen around town with his new bride-to-be, exclaiming that he could wait to be married to the new Ms. Right, his wife Camille had to have a big smile on her face. Camille had been holding out on a settlement and, unless Kelsey wanted to sift through the quicksand of a prolonged divorce trial, you can bet he was going to give in to her demands. Thusly, had it not been for the press and paparazzi following Kelsey around showing him with his new fiancé, Camille may have settled for less than she received. Therefore, the second ring of handling a celebrity client is the publicist or public relations firm.

Celebrities have publicists. They are a part of the lifestyle - a part of the ‘game’, so to speak.. I have a publicist - she is amazing and is the one who has books me as a legal analyst on FOX news, WPIX New York, on various radio stations, and a host of other news outlets. However, this is slightly different than a celebrity athlete, rock star, hip-hop artist, or actor/actress. In those cases, these celebrities have an on-screen/on-stage persona and a "real life" image they attempt to maintain.

Does art sometimes imitate life, sure, does life sometimes imitate art, yes. However, it is the publicists job to blur the lines on behalf of their celebrity clients. They want to keep the public perception of their clients as bigger than life, unaccessible, or mysterious. The less ‘real’ information they have out there, the more in control of the situation they feel. However, control is what the third ring is all about.

The third ring in the celebrity legal circus is the attorney. Set in the middle, like a Venn diagram, the law firm sits overlapped by the celebrity themselves and their public relations team. Once the attorney puts on the ringmaster hat and cracks the whip, both client and publicist need to listen. Without exertion of control over the legal strategy of the case, especially in a divorce or family law matter, the attorney will become a passive observer, unable to recognize where the strategy is going or, worse yet, allowing the publicist to dictate the words used in the legal pleadings.

The attorney, as ringmaster, must be sure to always follow the legal strategy discussed in the initial meeting with the celebrity client. This should also be outlined in detail for the client and publicist so that there is no confusion. Finally, publicists will sometimes want to edit your work as an attorney - do not give into the temptation to feel like you are a part of a celebrity team. You are an attorney for your client, not their publicist. The inverse should be true for press releases the publicist wants to issue regarding your client’s case. All press releases regarding the legal matter should definitely be approved by your office. Without such approval, the publicist could state something publicly you wanted kept private, or vice vers, state something you wanted public that they chose to keep private.

Finally, with the advent of social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter), celebrities are now in direct contact with their fans. This can create a false feeling of familiarity and lead the celebrity to Tweet or update their Facebook friends with news about their legal matters. This must be discussed with your client and you must continually remind your client that not only are his or her fans following them, but likely their spouse’s attorneys as well.

In the interest of full disclosure, I represented celebrity clients. My experiences have been genuinely rewarding. However, that is not to say representing celebrity clients is for everyone, you must be able to keep the proverbial show running smoothly, tame the lions, and watch out for the clowns.

Divorce and the Holiday Season

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:28:00 GMT

Reality is not a Norman Rockwell painting - it is not all hot chocolate, mistletoe and gift wrapping. Reality involves the #1 cause of divorce, money.

If you are fighting about money, the best way to handle it is to grab all your financial statements (bank, credit cards, etc.) and head to your accountant and ask them to come up with a plan to pay down the debt based on your income and to determine a reasonable monthly budget - and even a holiday spending budget

However, if one spouse is used to a certain lifestyle and not willing to change, this will put additional stress on the spouse willing to change and the marriage itself. When this happens, fights happen and the marriage begins to break down - being around the holidays makes it even harder as people think they must ‘overspend’.

If you are considering divorce and it is the holiday time, you have to ensure that, if you have children, you make sure it does not affect their celebrations. You must consider the best interests of the children. If you are upset about money or gifts or traditions, stop and ask yourself how fighting about this will impact the future memories you had hoped to create for your children. Should you actually go through a divorce, the court will always admonish that you must keep their best interests in mind - therefore, by doing so during a tumultuous holiday season, you can begin to practice for when your divorce is in full swing.

In the months immediately after the holidays, we receive a tremendous influx of calls. This is not a coincidence as most couples who are thinking of splitting usually do not want to start a divorce during the period between Halloween and New Year’s. Being served divorce papers while passing the stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner is not everyone’s idea of the perfect holiday. As a result, once January hits, the divorce rate goes through the roof.

If you are considering divorce around the holidays, make sure you make the right decision and contact The Kepanis Law Firm, P.C. immediately.

Doug Kepanis at North Shore Animal League Charity Event

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:55:00 GMT

The Kepanis Law Firm's founder, Douglas Kepanis was out at PACHA in New York City last night to support the North Shore Animal League. Beth Ostrosky, Howard Stern's wife, hosted the event, which raised mucho dinero for the animals in need.

Photo of Doug Kepanis and Beth Ostrosky

The Kepanis Law Firm featured in Binghamton University Alumni Magazine

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:27:00 GMT

Douglas Kepanis '94 is no stranger to bad relationships. As founder of The Kepanis Law Firm, a divorce and family law firm on Long Island and in Manhattan, Kepanis has been exposed to the dark side of love.

"I must admit I am a bit cynical when it comes to relationships and the prospect of them lasting beyond the newlywed phase," says Kepanis. "However, I think, at heart, I am a hopeless romantic who believes in love. The question is whether or not love believes in me."

Kepanis posed this question to Patti Stanger, host of the hit Bravo show Millionare Matchmaker, when he taped an episode for the show's fourth season in New York. The episode will hit TV screens Tuesday, Dec. 7.

On the show, Stanger and her staff attempt to match single wealthy people with potential spouses. Stanger also provides contestants with dating advice.

Back in February, Kepanis received an e-mail titled "Casting for Millionaire Matchmaker," and, after almost mistaking it for spam, read it and decided to give the casting agent a call.

"I am single and, as I am 38 years old, I have been thinking more seriously about meeting a woman I can share my life with," says Kepanis.

The casting agent asked Kepanis if he would be available to shoot an interview to send to Bravo.

"I thought it was an amazing opportunity and scheduled to meet with them the next day," he says.

After filming the interview, the agent told Kepanis he had a good chance of making the show.

"With that, I put it out of my mind until May, when I received a call from the production company telling me they loved my taped interview and invited me to film an episode of the show for the new season," says Kepanis.

On the show he had to face Stanger, who has been called the "Simon Cowell of dating" because of her direct and sometimes in-your-face comments.

"Patti definitely has a way with getting her point across, and with me, she did not hold back," says Kepanis. "She cautioned me that I need to spend more time getting to know someone before deciding they are no good for me. She said I was too quick to move on to a bigger, better deal when the person I am getting to know could be the one."

Did her advice and matchmaking work? You'll have to watch the episode to find out. No spoilers here!

Kepanis, born in Queens and raised on Long Island, majored in political science at Binghamton and became fascinated in international law after a class taught by Otto Ulc, professor emeritus of political science.

"My favorite part of Binghamton was the good times I had with friends there, whom I am still friends with to this day," says Kepanis.

After attending Binghamton University, Kepanis moved to San Diego to attend law school, but left after a semester to pursue his dream of becoming a guitarist in a rock band.

"I was in a band for five years and, upon the band disbanding, I decided I would go back to law school," says Kepanis. "I graduated in two and a half years cum laude from California Western School of Law and served as editor of the Law Review and International Law Journal."

From there, he earned his LLM in international and comparative law at Georgetown University. After practicing with a Garden City, N.Y., matrimonial and family law firm, Kepanis started his own firm.

While Stanger provided Kepanis with advice on how to find love, Kepanis has his own set of advice for how to become wealthy.

He lists "persistence, a positive attitude, being gracious to the people in your life who are there for you no matter what, education, long hours and a little bit of luck," as ways to succeed in any profession.

'Achey-Breaky Heart' - Cyrus's File for Divorce - Miley Cyrus Parties

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:04:00 GMT

Celebrities get divorced all the time - but how often is there a celebrity offspring caught in between. Billy Ray Cyrus, of Achey-Breaky heart fame, and his wife Leticia, have filed for divorce in Tennessee. Caught in the middle is teen sensation Miley Cyrus of "Hannah Montana" fame. While vowing to "not take side" in her parent's divorce is quite noble, her coping mechanism of "partying" away the emotional pain is definitely ignoble. I would hope that her parents, while going through their divorce, can still behave as parents and reign in their celebrity daughter before she goes over the edge. Coping with fame at such a young age, mixed with the emotional hurricane that a divorce causes, will be a tough road to travel. Keep an eye out here for future updates.

Huffington Post

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:08:00 GMT

The Huffington Post is launching a Divorce section on Monday, November 8, 2010. The Kepanis Law Firm is proud to announce that attorney Douglas S. Kepanis, LL.M. has been named a contributing writer therefor. The new Divorce vertical will be captained by famed writer Nora Ephron and edited by journalist Willow Bay. The Kepanis Law Firm is proud of Douglas's accomplishment and we welcome your comments.

Nominated as BEST DIVORCE LAWYER and BEST LAW FIRM on Long Island

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 01:53:00 GMT

The Kepanis Law Firm, P.C. is proud to announce we have been nominated by Long Island Press magazine in two categories - BEST DIVORCE LAWYER (for Douglas S. Kepanis) and BEST LAW FIRM.

If you would like to vote, you can submit votes everyday until December 15th at 11:59pm

Click image to vote!!!

FOX News Channel - "Happening Now"

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:45:00 GMT

Douglas S. Kepanis, LL.M. recently appeared on the FOX News Channel's Happening Now show to discuss the reality show "Sister Wives" and the legalities of polygamy in Utah:

Long Island Business News features The Kepanis Law Firm

Long Island Divorce Attorney — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:44:00 GMT

The September 24, 2010 issue of the Long Island Business News regarding divorce in a recession featured insight from Douglas S. Kepanis of The Kepanis Law Firm. see article below: