What We Do
Intelligent Advocacy
Donohoe Talbert is a respected family law firm with extensive experience in complex financial matters, high-net-worth divorce, and difficult custody disputes. We are masters of strategic litigation and intelligent settlements that allow our clients to move forward with discretion and integrity.
Divorce and Separation
Whether our clients are divorcing (legally terminating the marriage) or separating, a resolution of the financial and custody issues (when children are involved) must be reached. Donohoe Talbert has the specialized knowledge base to handle high-net-worth divorces and difficult custody disputes with a deft, nimble approach. Our attorneys are savvy negotiators who craft innovative out-of-court settlements, and when litigation is necessary, we bring dexterity and prowess to the courtroom to achieve our clients’ goals.
Cohabitation Agreements
Cohabitation agreements create formal rights and expectations for couples who opt to build a life together without marriage’s legal parameters.
Cohabitation agreements can clarify critical financial issues, including homeownership, division of accumulated wealth, payment of household and educational expenses, and inheritance rights. These agreements can also establish parenting rights and responsibilities for children of the relationship. Our team assesses the unique realities of each situation and creates an agreement that brings order and stability to our clients’ lives.
Child Custody and Parenting Schedules
Custody and parenting time are often the most important and difficult issues for families to resolve. Every family is unique and Donohoe Talbert recognizes that creativity and strong advocacy are essential to ensure a resolution in our clients’ and their children’s best interests.
We have experience representing biological parents, stepparents, unmarried partners, grandparents, and other custodians in both the initial determinations of custody and parenting time, as well as post-judgment matters when those arrangements become untenable.
High-Net-Worth Divorce and Complex Assets
Divorces involving complex assets like closely held businesses, alternative investments, professional practices, real estate, artistic rights, trusts, and interests in asset management and private equity firms require a level of sophistication, experience, and judgment that is hard to find in the marketplace. The Donohoe Talbert team understands the intricacies of complex asset valuation and distribution. We bring our vast institutional knowledge to each case to ensure our clients receive the best possible outcome.
Enforcement and Modification of Judgments and Agreements
Many circumstances may arise post-divorce with respect to which counsel is needed. In some instances, disputes regarding enforcement require legal intervention. In others, prior orders or agreements may require modification. Our attorneys are well-versed in the special body of law that governs enforcement and modification of family law agreements.
Appeals
Decisions made at the trial court level are subject to review on appeal. We have extensive experience prosecuting and defending appeals–both for existing clients and as appellate counsel specifically retained to challenge or defend an order issued in a prior proceeding.
Spousal Support and Alimony
In the divorce process, the lesser-earning spouse may be entitled to receive support from the higher-earning spouse. In New York, the level and duration of spousal maintenance (commonly referred to as “alimony”) depend upon numerous statutory factors that the court must consider when determining support. We help our clients resolve these issues successfully so they can move forward after divorce with financial security.
Gay, Lesbian & Transgender Family Issues
Donohoe Talbert has extensive experience representing LGBTQ+ individuals, extending long before same-sex marriage was legalized. As people navigate legal issues around forming and ending their relationships, our attorneys serve as resources to identify, understand and address legal issues. This includes child arrangements, support agreements, and disposition of property. Our attorneys understand that, regardless of whether a legal marriage structure is in place, our clients’ family issues require thoughtfulness and respect.
Child Custody and Parenting Schedules
Custody and parenting time are often the most important and difficult issues for families to resolve. Every family is unique and Donohoe Talbert recognizes that creativity and strong advocacy are essential to ensure a resolution in our clients’ and their children’s best interests.
We have experience representing biological parents, stepparents, unmarried partners, grandparents, and other custodians in both the initial determinations of custody and parenting time, as well as post-judgment matters when those arrangements become untenable.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
For those entering a marriage with significant family wealth, existing property holdings, an equity stake in a business, or other sizable assets, a prenuptial agreement may be crucial. Often during marriages, newly acquired wealth or a significant change in the relationship dynamic may make a postnuptial agreement desirable. Our team takes the time to understand each client’s unique situation, crafting thoughtful, personalized agreements that provide our clients confidence and certainty about the years ahead. If it becomes necessary to challenge or defend an agreement, our attorneys have successfully litigated these agreements in New York’s highest courts.
International Custody Disputes
International custody disputes bring additional layers of legal complexity to the already emotionally complicated matter of child custody. Our team is adept at navigating the specific legal intricacies of international custody disputes, including jurisdictional challenges.
Special & Sensitive Personal Situations
On occasion, our clients find themselves in sensitive personal situations that require legal input. Based on our extensive experience, we handle these matters with absolute discretion, creativity, and pragmatism.
Domestic Violence and Protective Orders
Domestic violence cases require strategically-minded counsel. When allegations of domestic violence are present, they may have a profound impact on the court’s determinations. If you are the victim of domestic violence, you need to ensure your personal safety and the safety of your family. If you have been accused of domestic violence, you need to defend against any false allegations, or if true, to remedy the situation to preserve your liberty, as well as parenting and financial rights. Our attorneys have the necessary experience to advise clients on their legal rights in situations of abuse and work closely with criminal attorneys, when necessary, in both prosecuting and defending against domestic abuse.
Child Support
The determination of financial support for your children is important for their future and your personal financial security. Although New York law provides formulas applicable to the calculation of child support, in matters involving high income or high-net-worth families, the discretionary factors available to the courts may prove more influential. Donohoe Talbert works closely with our clients to analyze the children’s financial needs attendant to their lifestyle. We utilize both our intimate knowledge of the court’s process for awarding child support and our extensive experience resolving high-net-worth child support matters to achieve an appropriate resolution
Child Relocation
When a parent wants to move away, difficult issues arise related to the children’s schedules, as well as the family’s financial agreements. Donohoe Talbert’s attorneys have extensive experience representing parents on both sides of the relocation issue—those who believe relocation is in their children’s best interests and those opposing it. We craft creative, intelligent solutions for our clients to resolve these issues outside of the courtroom. But when necessary, we will go to trial to achieve our clients’ objectives.
Child Abuse and Neglect
When allegations of child abuse or neglect surface, there are significant legal and practical implications for the adults involved. Our attorneys are skilled at managing the complexities of the legal system and intricate family dynamics. These matters are highly personal, and we are fierce advocates to ensure our clients receive strong, thoughtful, and discreet counsel.
Surrogacy
New York recently passed its surrogacy law. Donohoe Talbert’s attorneys stay current on new legal developments, and surrogacy is no exception. We will help you navigate your surrogacy agreement with thoughtfulness, compassion, and a sharp focus on protecting your rights.
Paternity
Establishing paternity can be a critical first step in child custody or support proceedings. Donohoe Talbert’s attorneys have the experience to help our clients successfully navigate these issues–whether in contested litigation or a private, discreetly negotiated settlement.
Grandparent Custody and Visitation
In certain special circumstances, grandparents may have legal rights to visitation with their grandchildren. The Donohoe Talbert team is adept at navigating the complex considerations taken in determining whether grandparents can obtain access to grandchildren, whether through the courts or by negotiation.