News & Insights

Peter M. Mott Explains Whether Couples Should Get a Prenup

NEWS | May 28, 2020

Peter M. Mott, a partner with the firm, was interviewed by U.S. News & World Report for a story on whether couples who are thinking of getting married should sign a prenuptial agreement. Mr. Mott said a prenuptial agreement helps protect the spouses’ assets,...

COURT UPDATE:  SUFFOLK COUNTY SURROGATE’S COURT

COURT UPDATES | May 8, 2020

By Peter Mott, Esq.   The Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court has updated its procedures during this Coronavirus period of time. 1. The Courthouse in Riverhead remains closed, but it has a satellite office open in Central Islip for hearing “essential matters”.  A...

UPDATE: Family Court, Surrogate’s Court and Matrimonial Matters

COURT UPDATES | April 10, 2020

by Peter Mott, Esq.   As of April 9, 2020 Family Court Matters: The Family Court is operating from Central Islip only and only on an emergency application basis, which are limited to:  (1) child protection matters which involve removal applications; and (2)...

Prenuptial Agreements and Estate Planning

INSIGHTS | By: | October 16, 2019

A prenuptial agreement can conjure in people the thought of a wealthy person marrying a not so wealthy person, or celebrities marrying each other, or an older spouse marrying a younger spouse. Some people have a pessimistic outlook on prenuptial agreements, and see...

The Effect of Divorce on Your Estate Plan

INSIGHTS | By: | January 25, 2019

The ensuing months after the holiday season usually see an uptick in divorce filings. Some matrimonial practitioners even refer to the first Monday after New Year’s Day as “Divorce Monday.” Of course, many people chalk up this rise in divorce filings to the stress of...

Kramer vs. Kramer, Part 2 (the fight over the family pet)

INSIGHTS | By: | March 15, 2017

In the movie Kramer vs. Kramer, Ted and Joanna Kramer call it quits after many years of marriage prompting a heated custody battle over Billy, the couple’s five year-old son. However, what if instead of being their son, Billy was, in fact, the Kramers’ pet dog or cat?...

U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Defense of Marriage Act

NEWS | July 1, 2013

This past Wednesday, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act (the “Act”). In a 5-4 decision, the Justices voted to hold Section 3 of the Act unconstitutional. Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act excluded...