Anne-Louise DePalo has been appointed as a Co-Chairperson of the Matrimonial Committee at the Richmond County Bar Association. She is also a certified mediator and certified parent coordinator.
Best Divorce Lawyers Staten island
Anne-Louise DePalo
Divorce Lawyers
New York family law attorney Anne-Louise DePalo has more than 30 years of experience guiding clients on Staten Island through issues such as divorce, division of marital property, equitable distribution, qualified domestic relations orders, child custody and visitation.
Anne-Louise is also an active member in her community parish, St. Ann’s Church. She has hosted multiple events and programs such as the Catholic Divorce Survival Guide, a Bereavement Program, and many more. She works to provide support to those who are experiencing a life altering events as well as providing guidance and help during traumatic and emotional times. Anne-Louise is also the writer of the Marriage and Divorce Spiritual Center, that features weekly blogs every Sunday.
Loui-Ann MacKnight
Divorce Lawyers
Loui-Ann is an Attorney at Dow Divorce Law, P.L.L.C., where she practices Matrimonial and Family Law.
Prior to joining our team, Loui-Ann was an attorney at The Neighborhood Defenders of Harlem, in New York City, helping families navigate neglect and other matters the state had brought against them. This included defending her clients against the efforts of the Administration for Children’s Services to remove children from their families.
Loui-Ann prides herself on her desire to help parents. She enjoys assisting the perceived underdog, the parent who, in spite of their best efforts to comply with state mandates, is taken advantage of because they lack the time and expertise—and is eventually exhausted by the system. If asked, Loui-Ann would say that her desire to serve the underserved is spurred by both her immigrant origins and her desire to help her community navigate their paths to achieving the “American Dream.” Now that she is in private practice, she volunteers time to provide pro-bono services to the community at large, including participating in rallies, marches, etc.
JOSEPH CAMMARATA
Divorce Lawyers
Joseph Cammarata, Esq., of Staten Island, NY was raised in a home that instilled a strong sense of family, ethical values, and commitment to sacrificing for others. Joseph dreamed of being a New York City Firefighter alongside his brother Michael. But, when the NYPD called him to duty first, he immediately began serving the people of New York City. After the events of 9/11/2001, and the loss of his rookie NYC Firefighter brother Michael, Joseph joined the ranks of the FDNY, following in his brother’s footsteps.
Despite understandable resistance from his family, he continued protecting the people of New York City, keeping his word to his fallen Firefighter brother. It is this unwavering commitment; Joseph now offers his clients as a legal advocate.
Joseph A. O’Shea
Divorce Lawyers
Joseph A. O’Shea is an award-winning trial attorney with over 35 years of experience representing clients in a wide range of areas. He now focuses his practice on divorce and matrimonial law, family law issues in family court as well as criminal arrears that are often involved in divorce cases as well as family court cases.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. O’Shea was an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County. In that role, he prosecuted and tried numerous criminal cases. After handling cases in Bronx County, Mr. O’Shea was recruited by the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office and was immediately assigned to the Supreme Court and again handled and tried numerous felony cases including homicides and other serious felonies.
While in the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office, Mr. O’Shea was promoted as the first-ever Supreme Court Bureau Chief and continued in that position until he left for private practice.
Professional & Community Involvement
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, Family Law Section
- Member, Richmond County Bar Association (RCBA)
- Past Member, Board of Directors of the RCBA
- Current Member, Grievance Committee
- Chair of Annual Night of Nostalgia Event of the RCBA
- Member, New York Criminal & Civil Courts Bar Association
- Founding member, Preservation League of Staten Island
- Legal Advisor, Project Hospitality
Prior Legal Experience
- Assistant District Attorney, Staten Island District Attorney’s Office
- Bureau Chief, Supreme Court Bureau
- Assistant District Attorney, Bronx District Attorney’s Office
Kurt Richards
Divorce Lawyers
Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Equitable Distribution
- Child Custody and Visitation
- Post-Divorce Issues
- Family Law
Bar Admissions
- New York, 1991
- New Jersey, 1990
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
Professional Associations
- New York State Bar Association
- New Jersey State Bar Association
Education
- Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio
- J.D. – 05/1990
- St. John’s University, Staten Island, New York
- M.B.A. – 05/1987
- Honors: summa cum laude
- St. John’s University, Staten Island, New York
- B.S. – 09/1986
- Honors: magna cum laude
JESSICA A. TERMINI
Divorce Lawyers
Jessica A. Termini is admitted to practice law in both the states of New York and New Jersey. Ms. Termini was born and raised in Staten Island, New York, where she attended and graduated from St. John’s University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies. She continued her education at St. John’s University School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 2012.
Prior to joining the firm, she spent over five years concentrating on family and matrimonial law where she represented clients in both Family Court and Supreme Court involving a variety of matters related to high net-worth divorce, post-judgment enforcement and child custody and support. She was also employed as a Family Court Legal Services Attorney for the Administration for Children’s Services, where she represented the City in Article 10 proceedings involving abuse and neglect and the termination of parental rights.
Ms. Termini now devotes a significant portion of her practice to areas of matrimonial and family law, estate probate and administration, personal injury, workers’ compensation law and social security disability law.
While at St. John’s, she wrote the article “Music Industry–360 Deals: A Potential Game-Changer When Establishing a Fiduciary Duty?” which was published by the New York State Bar Association in February 2012. Ms. Termini was also a member of the St. John’s University Child Advocacy Clinic, where she participated in the Foster Parent Support Initiative representing kinship foster parents seeking compensation for their care of special needs foster children.
Olga Zagika
Divorce Lawyers
Olga Zagika has been an associate with The Law Offices of Francine Pickett Cohen, LLC, since 2013, where she specializes in all areas of family law, including divorces, custody, child and spousal support, equitable distribution and adoptions.
Olga spent a large part of her childhood in Brooklyn and Staten Island. She then completed part of her graduate education abroad, and returned to New York for her legal education, which included internships in firms of various sizes (in New York and abroad), a corporation, a human rights organization, the district attorney’s office, and with a matrimonial Judge. Olga’s experiences allow her to relate to and work with people from various communities and backgrounds. Since graduating from law school, Olga has practiced exclusively family law.
Keith Casella
Divorce Lawyers
A graduate of St. John’s University, Mr. Casella was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2004 and received his Juris Doctor from the Quinnipiac University School of Law with the honor of Distinguished Academic Achievement. He has also been admitted into the United States District Court, the Eastern District of New York and the Southern District of New York.
Mr. Casella has handled all types of divorces from the simplest to the most contentious. Our firm has experience with high net worth clients and sorting through the many nuances regarding evaluating and dividing assets, and are also able to assist clients whose spouses may be hiding assets.
What separates our practice from the rest is our commitment to providing practical solutions. Mr. Casella tells clients from the start what they can expect as an outcome. Mr. Casella is licensed to practice law in both New York and New Jersey.
Depending on the circumstances, Mr. Casella may engage the opposing side with settlement options from the outset if the client feels that the spouse would be receptive. Other times we strike first so that the spouse does not have the opportunity to hide or dissipate assets or estrange the children. By listening to our clients’ concerns and offering practical advice not only for the divorce process but for moving on in the future, Mr. Casella is able to assess the situation and form an appropriate legal plan.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Staten Island can provide several advantages:
Local Expertise: A top divorce lawyer in Staten Island will have a deep understanding of the local legal system, including the specific laws and procedures that apply in New York State.
Familiarity with Staten Island Courts: They will be familiar with the judges, court personnel, and local practices, which can be beneficial in navigating the legal process efficiently.
Experience in Handling Divorce Cases: The best divorce lawyers typically have extensive experience in handling divorce cases, which means they are well-versed in the complexities of divorce law.
Negotiation Skills: Skilled divorce lawyers are adept at negotiation. They can advocate for your interests while seeking mutually acceptable solutions, potentially leading to a smoother and less contentious process.
Child Custody Expertise: If children are involved, a top divorce lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of child custody and visitation arrangements, always prioritizing the best interests of the child.
Property Division Guidance: They can provide guidance on the equitable distribution of marital assets and debts, ensuring that you receive a fair share of the property acquired during the marriage.
Spousal Support and Alimony: A skilled lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations regarding spousal support or alimony, if applicable.
Emotional Support and Objectivity: Divorce can be emotionally challenging. A capable lawyer can provide support and offer an objective perspective to help you make rational decisions.
Legal Document Preparation and Filing: Your lawyer will handle the preparation and filing of all necessary legal documents, ensuring that everything is done correctly and in a timely manner.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Without legal representation, individuals may make costly mistakes in the divorce process. A top divorce lawyer can help you avoid these pitfalls and ensure that all aspects of your case are handled correctly.
Now, let’s discuss the difference between divorce and separation:
Divorce:
Legal Status: A divorce is a legal termination of a marriage. After a divorce is finalized, both parties are legally single and can remarry if they choose to do so.
Finality: Once a divorce is granted, the marriage is considered legally dissolved, and both parties are no longer bound by the obligations and responsibilities of marriage.
Division of Assets and Debts: In a divorce, the court will typically divide marital property and debts between the spouses based on the principle of equitable distribution.
Separation:
Legal Status: Legal separation is a formal arrangement where a married couple lives apart while remaining legally married. They are still considered married in the eyes of the law.
Continued Marital Status: Even though the couple is living separately, they are not free to marry other people.
Financial Arrangements: In a legal separation, the court can address issues like spousal support, child custody, visitation, and division of assets, similar to a divorce.
Potential for Reconciliation: Separation provides couples with a period of time to assess their relationship and decide if they want to work towards reconciliation or proceed with a divorce.
It’s important to note that legal separation is not recognized in all states, and the laws regarding separation vary. Consulting with a family law attorney is crucial to understand the specific implications of separation in your jurisdiction.