Family Law

Manhattan Family Law Attorney

Helping Clients Facing Complex Issues in Family Law Cases in Manhattan, Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn

Helping Families Resolve Divorce, Custody, Support, and Domestic Violence Matters in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island

The Law Office of Julio E. Portilla, P.C. is a trusted family law firm serving clients throughout New York City. Whether you are facing a divorce and the many issues that come with it, need help with child custody or child support, or are dealing with a domestic violence situation, our Manhattan family law attorney is here to help.

When you work with our experienced legal team, you will receive the personalized attention your case deserves.

We help clients with divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support and alimony, equitable distribution and property division, domestic violence, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

Call (917) 924-9790 or reach out online today to talk through your situation and find out what to do next.

Child Support Lawyer in Manhattan and NYC

Whether you are seeking child support, have been asked to pay it, or need help modifying an existing order, our Manhattan child support attorney can guide you through the process. New York calculates child support separately from divorce proceedings under the Child Support Standards Act, Domestic Relations Law § 240(1-b), which weighs both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and each parent’s share of the children’s expenses.

We represent both mothers and fathers in child support matters, including establishing a new support order, requesting an increase or decrease based on a change in circumstances, and enforcing an existing order when a co-parent falls behind on payments. If paternity is in question, we can petition the court for genetic marker or DNA testing under Family Court Act § 532 to establish legal parentage before a child support case moves forward. Read more about child support in New York.

Equitable Distribution & Property Division Attorney

New York is an equitable distribution state under Domestic Relations Law § 236. Courts divide marital property fairly, though not always equally, when a couple divorces. Before a court can divide property, it must first classify it:

  • Marital property generally includes income, real estate, retirement accounts, and other assets acquired during the marriage.
  • Separate property generally includes assets owned before the marriage, along with most inheritances and gifts made to one spouse individually.

The line between the two isn’t always obvious, especially when separate property has been mixed with marital funds or has grown in value during the marriage. Our Manhattan equitable distribution attorney can help you identify, value, and, when necessary, fight for a fair division of complex or high-value assets, including business interests, investment accounts, and retirement benefits.

Spousal Support and Alimony Attorney in Manhattan

Spousal support, sometimes called alimony or maintenance, is money one spouse pays the other during or after a divorce. Under Domestic Relations Law § 236, New York courts weigh several factors when deciding whether spousal support is appropriate and, if so, how much one spouse should pay and for how long, including:

  • The length of the marriage
  • Each spouse’s income and earning capacity
  • The age and health of both spouses
  • Each spouse’s contributions to the household and to the other spouse’s career or education

Whether you expect to pay spousal support or believe you are entitled to receive it, our Manhattan spousal support attorney can help you understand what a fair outcome looks like in your case and advocate for it, whether through negotiation or in court.

Domestic Violence Attorney in NYC

If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, you don’t have to face it alone. Our NYC domestic violence attorney can help you understand your legal options and take steps to protect yourself and your children.

We assist clients with filing for an order of protection under Family Court Act § 812, which can legally prohibit an abuser from contacting or coming near you, your home, or your workplace. We also help clients navigate how a domestic violence situation may affect related family law matters, including child custody and visitation, since New York family courts weigh the best interests of the child standard heavily when allegations of abuse are involved.

If you need to act quickly to protect yourself or your children, contact our office as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Divorce-Related Issues Can a New York Divorce Lawyer Help You With?

When a couple chooses to divorce, there are several matters the spouses will need to agree on before the divorce can be finalized. Some of the most contentious issues involve children: decisions about custody, visitation, and support are often the hardest part of a divorce (see Child Support above and Child Custody below).

Property division is another common source of disagreement. You’ll need to understand the difference between separate property and marital property, and what equitable distribution means for your specific situation (see Equitable Distribution above).

The Law Office of Julio E. Portilla, P.C. is here to help you work through all of these issues, whether that means negotiating with your spouse for a fair resolution or advocating for you in court.

Why Is It Especially Important to Hire Legal Representation in a High-Net-Worth Divorce or a Contested Divorce?

Any divorce can be difficult to resolve for legal and personal reasons, but married couples with complex investments or substantial assets often face more difficult divorce cases. High-net-worth divorces frequently become contested divorces, which can turn into difficult courtroom battles. If you are a New York City resident with substantial assets or high income facing a complex divorce, it’s important to work with an attorney experienced in high-net-worth and contentious matters.

Assets that may be involved in a high-asset divorce case can include real estate holdings, vacation residences, trust funds, retirement accounts, business interests, stock options, offshore accounts, and other highly valued property. Depending on your circumstances, some of these assets may be considered separate or marital property and subject to New York’s equitable distribution rules.

Sometimes it’s possible to resolve a contested divorce through mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution, or to consider a legal separation agreement instead. Whatever is right for your situation, our firm has the experience to help you think through your options and make an informed decision.

What Is the Value of a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement?

You may not want to think about divorce as you prepare to marry, but a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can still be worthwhile. A significant share of marriages end in divorce, and one spouse will eventually pass away before the other.

These agreements let couples specify what happens to their assets in the event of a divorce or death. Prenuptial agreements are especially useful when one spouse has significant wealth or expects a large inheritance. Our family law attorney can help you put either agreement in writing so both of you know where you stand.

How Does Child Custody Work in New York Family Court?

Child custody and visitation disputes are among the most contested areas of family law. New York family courts decide custody using the best interests of the child standard, which can be difficult for parents who would rather make those decisions themselves.

If parents don’t share joint custody, the court grants sole custody to one parent, who becomes the primary residential parent with legal decision-making authority for the child and doesn’t need the other parent’s consent. New York courts generally prefer joint or shared custody arrangements when workable, but weigh several factors under Domestic Relations Law § 240 before deciding what’s best for your family.

If a child’s paternity is in question, we can petition the court for genetic marker or DNA testing under Family Court Act § 532 to legally establish parentage before the court resolves custody or support.

Family Law Services Across New York City

The Law Office of Julio E. Portilla, P.C. represents family law clients throughout:

  • Manhattan
  • Brooklyn
  • Queens
  • Staten Island
  • Long Island

Wherever you’re located, our team is ready to help you navigate your family law matter with the personal attention it deserves.

Why Clients Choose the Law Office of Julio E. Portilla, P.C.

High-Quality Representation: The majority of the firm’s clients are referrals, a testament to Julio E. Portilla’s ability to provide skilled legal counsel and advocacy.

Accessible: When you hire Julio E. Portilla, you can count on transparent communication about your case and fast response times to your questions.

Convenient: For your safety and convenience, the firm offers phone and video consultations as well as same-day appointments.

Multilingual: The team at the Law Office of Julio E. Portilla serves clients in English and Spanish.

Personalized Attention: Julio E. Portilla takes the time to listen, walk you through the process, and build a strategy tailored to your case.

Family law matters move quickly, and delays can add to the emotional and financial strain on you and your family. We work efficiently, through negotiation when possible and in court when necessary, to resolve your case, whether that means dividing assets fairly, advocating for you in a custody matter, or securing the child support your family needs.

Contact Our NYC Law Firm and Schedule a Free Consultation with a Manhattan Family Lawyer Today

Family law issues are among the most difficult legal matters that enter New York courtrooms. These cases often involve people who know each other intimately, which can bring out the worst in us. It’s important to retain professional legal advice from someone well-versed in New York family law.

Led by founding attorney Julio E. Portilla, our full-service law firm provides skilled legal services across family law, divorce, personal injury, bankruptcy, civil litigation, immigration, and more. Whatever legal matter you’re facing, our firm is well-positioned to represent your interests throughout the process.

We pride ourselves on providing communicative, approachable, and compassionate legal services to every client who calls our office or walks through our doors. The attorney and his legal staff will be by your side throughout the legal process.

Contact our New York City law office to schedule your initial consultation. The first 30 minutes are always free. Call us at (917) 924-9790 to request your free case evaluation with the attorney and his legal team.

We Fight to Protect Your Rights