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Who’s Your Mama?

February 25, 2023 By Joy Rosenthal

Who’s your mama? Seem like a stupid question, doesn’t it?  Well, wait til you take family law with me! I’ll have your head spinning.  Here’s the synopsis of a case we read this week.  (True story!) Dawn and Michael were married and lived out in Long Island.  They tried to have kids, but  had difficulty conceiving.  A few years later, they became a throuple with Audria, who moved in with them.  The 3 of them planned and to have and … read more »

Filed Under: Children, Divorce, Families Tagged With: children, custody, divorce, LGBT

Breaking the news to the kids

August 16, 2021 By Joy Rosenthal

How to tell your kids you are getting divorced

Are you the child of a divorce? If so, do you remember when you realized that your parents were separating? My guess is that you do.What do you remember about it–Do you remember what room you were in? Or what you heard? What did you feel? Who comforted you? What was said? Did your parents tell you or did you overhear something? Was it in the context of an argument or was it presented to you calmly? Did your parents … read more »

Filed Under: Children, conflict resolution, Divorce, General Tagged With: children, divorce, family, listening, mediation

Are You My Mother?

June 22, 2017 By Joy Rosenthal

Are You My Mother? by Joy Rosenthal

I have always been fascinated by families. They drive us crazy and they keep us sane. They are the rock upon which we stand, and can be the bane of our existence. We all know what it is like to be somebody’s child, and many of us know what it is like to be somebody’s parent or somebody’s sibling. But each of our experiences is so particular. So different. This article takes a closer look at 2 very basic questions … read more »

Filed Under: Adoption, Children Tagged With: Adoption, children, custody, family, LGBT

Collaborative Law: A Different Way to Divorce

November 15, 2016 By Joy Rosenthal

            The media often portray divorce with ex-spouses lawyered up as courtroom adversaries — the same folks who once pledged to hold each other through better or worse now as mortal enemies fighting over the turf of their children’s hearts and minds. Going through a divorce can be a challenging, trying process. The reality is that divorce is usually much more complicated and nuanced.  Most clients I see are sad and confused and grieving and tender and thoughtful and hurt … read more »

Filed Under: Children, Clients, Collaborative Process, Divorce, General Tagged With: children, collaborative process, common ground, compassion, custody, divorce, win-win

Finally, A Better Definition of Family

September 21, 2016 By Joy Rosenthal

New York’s highest court, the New York State Court of Appeals, made a long overdue and unquestionably important decision last month—that a de facto parent who is not a biological or adoptive parent has standing to petition for custody and visitation. This comes up in the context of same-sex relationships where one parent is related to the child biologically, where the parents have raised the children together but are not married.  The issue is whether, if they break up, the … read more »

Filed Under: Caregiving, Children, Divorce, Families, LGBT Tagged With: children, compassion, conflict, court, custody, divorce, family, gay, lesbian, LGBT, marriage

Separating – but Not Too Far

February 7, 2016 By Joy Rosenthal

I was recently quoted in the New York Times in an article about couples – particularly those with children – who continue to live near each other after they get divorced. While living near your ex is not for everyone, it can have its advantages. For instance, When the children forget something at the other parent’s home, it is no big deal to go get it. Parents don’t have to worry about pick up and drop offs. The children can go … read more »

Filed Under: Children, Collaborative Process, Divorce, Families, General, Mediation Tagged With: children, collaborative process, common ground, divorce, divorce mediation, family, mediation, win-win

Same Sex Married Couples Still Need Second Parent Adoptions

June 2, 2015 By Joy Rosenthal

I have written about this before, and it is still true – same sex couples still need second parent adoptions even though they are legally married. New York’s Appellate Division Second Department made this clear their May 2015 decision, Matter of Paczkowski. The case is about a lesbian couple who was married and had a child together during the marriage.  The non-biological mom had not adopted their child. The couple later broke up, and she filed for joint custody, arguing … read more »

Filed Under: Adoption, Children, Families, LGBT, Marriage Tagged With: Adoption, children, family, gay, law, lesbian, LGBT

Divorce Envy ~ Who knew?

July 21, 2014 By Joy Rosenthal

I’m honored and excited that I was quoted in Amy Sohn’s Harper’s Bazaar’s article about Divorce Envy. It really is an honor.  And an interesting topic.  We feel the need to keep up with the Joneses to get the latest handbag, to do hot yoga and eat kale, why not to get divorced in the most healing way possible?  As I said, if it leads to a trend of collaborative process and divorce mediation, maybe peer pressure is a very … read more »

Filed Under: Collaborative Process, Divorce, Happiness, Mediation, Mindfulness Tagged With: children, collaborative process, compassion, custody, divorce, divorce mediation, family, mediation

Second Parent Adoptions are Still Necessary!

June 17, 2014 By Joy Rosenthal

The NY Times’ Motherlode blog ran an article today about 2nd parent adoptions, and Judge Lopez Torres’ recent decision to deny a petition for such when the adoptive parents were married. Here is my comment (which they also published): I am an attorney who does second parent adoptions. I have completed and filed several such adoptions in New York State since Judge Lopez Torres’ decision was published – parallel courts recognize them as still being necessary. While Judge Lopez Torres’ … read more »

Filed Under: Adoption, Caregiving, Families, General, LGBT Tagged With: Adoption, children, family, gay, lesbian, LGBT

Can a child have 3 parents?

October 13, 2013 By Joy Rosenthal

We all know that a child can only have 2 biological parents – a man and a woman.  But we also know that biology is only a small part of the story.   Every child is connected to more adults – as they say, “it takes a village to raise a child.”   Many children are actually being raised by more than 2 parents — step parents, grandparents, friends and partners can play an important role in the financial and emotional … read more »

Filed Under: Caregiving, Child Support, Children, Families, General, LGBT Tagged With: children, custody, divorce, family, finances, inclusivity, lesbian, LGBT, marriage, parents

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Rosenthal Law & Mediation
212.532.4704

Joy S. Rosenthal, Esq.
226 Prospect Park West #156
Brooklyn, NY 11215

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