Staten Island Family Law Attorneys
When your family life changes, so does your future. Divorce, custody disputes, or any family law challenge can leave you feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and emotionally drained. But you don’t have to navigate this process alone.
For many years, Angiuli & Gentile, LLP has helped individuals and families throughout Staten Island face complex family law matters with confidence, clarity, and compassionate guidance. Our legal team has the experience, insight, and strategic thinking needed to help you take control of your situation and move toward a better future.
We understand that every family law case is personal. Our mission is to protect your rights, explain your options, and help you make informed decisions—so you can move forward on your own terms.
Staten Island Family Law Services: A Closer Look
As a full-service family law firm, we handle all areas of divorce and domestic relations in New York, with a special focus on protecting our clients’ children, assets, and peace of mind. Below are our primary practice areas, each tailored to your unique needs.
Child Custody
Child custody disputes are often the most emotionally challenging part of a divorce or separation. In New York, custody can be either joint or sole and includes both legal (decision-making) and physical (residential) components.
At Angiuli & Gentile, LLP, we help parents resolve disputes regarding:
- Legal and physical custody arrangements
- Parenting time (visitation) schedules
- Emergency custody issues
- Modifications due to relocation, employment, or safety concerns
- Enforcement of custody orders
- Protection from parental alienation or interference
Our attorneys focus on achieving solutions that reflect the best interests of the child while protecting your parental rights. Whether through negotiation or court litigation, we will stand by your side every step of the way.
Child Support
Every child deserves financial stability. Whether you are seeking support or being asked to pay, we help ensure that child support is calculated and enforced fairly.
We assist clients with:
- Establishing child support using New York’s Child Support Standards Act (CSSA)
- Modifying orders due to job loss, remarriage, or a child’s changing needs
- Enforcing unpaid support, including wage garnishments or contempt actions
- Defending against unfair or inflated child support demands
We take a fact-based approach to protect your financial future and ensure that children receive the support they are entitled to under the law.
Divorce
Divorce is not just the end of a marriage—it is a legal process that impacts your financial security, living arrangements, children, and long-term future. Our firm handles every kind of divorce, from amicable separations to high-conflict litigations.
We represent clients in:
- Uncontested divorces, where both parties agree on terms
- Contested divorces involving custody, property disputes, or alimony
- Divorces involving business ownership or professional practices
- High-net-worth divorces with complex assets
- Divorce mediation and collaborative law
- Divorces involving abuse or domestic violence
We understand what’s at stake, and we’re here to provide sound legal counsel during this life-altering process—protecting your rights while pursuing a fair and efficient resolution.
Enforcement of Court Orders
Court orders regarding custody, visitation, support, and alimony are legally binding—but they’re not always followed. If the other party violates an order, or if you’re being falsely accused of non-compliance, our attorneys can help.
Our services include:
- Enforcing child support or spousal support payments
- Securing court-mandated visitation or custody time
- Responding to contempt motions or defending against them
- Seeking legal remedies when one party violates the terms of the divorce judgment
You have the right to see court orders respected. We will take swift legal action to uphold or defend your interests.
Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
Spousal support, also called alimony or spousal maintenance, is meant to ensure financial fairness after a divorce—particularly when one spouse earns significantly more than the other.
We assist with:
- Negotiating temporary and permanent support
- Calculating alimony under New York’s maintenance guidelines
- Litigating when spousal maintenance becomes a point of contention
- Modifying existing spousal support orders due to a change in income or financial need
Whether you are seeking support or being asked to pay, we ensure that the final arrangement reflects the financial reality of both parties.
Post-Decree Modifications
A court order may be final, but life circumstances change. We help clients obtain or defend against modifications to existing family law orders when there’s a substantial change in circumstances.
Common reasons for modifications include:
- A parent changing jobs or relocating
- A child developing new medical or educational needs
- A change in income affecting child or spousal support
- A parent’s repeated violation of court-ordered custody terms
Our attorneys can help you file a motion to modify the original terms and ensure that any changes serve the best interests of you and your family.
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements provide clarity, protection, and peace of mind for couples entering or already in a marriage—especially when one or both parties have significant assets.
We assist with:
- Drafting enforceable prenuptial agreements
- Creating postnuptial agreements after marriage
- Addressing asset ownership, debt responsibilities, and inheritance rights
- Ensuring that agreements comply with New York’s legal standards
A strong agreement helps prevent disputes in the future and offers both parties clarity on financial expectations.
Property and Asset Division
New York applies the principle of equitable distribution, which does not always mean a 50/50 split. Instead, property is divided based on fairness, considering each spouse’s financial and personal contributions.
We handle the division of:
- Marital homes and real estate
- Business interests and professional practices
- Retirement accounts, pensions, and 401(k)s
- Debts and liabilities
- Personal property and valuables
Our firm works with appraisers, forensic accountants, and financial analysts to ensure your assets are accurately valued and fairly divided.
Filing a Family Law Case in Staten Island
If you’re ready to take legal action, we can help you file your case efficiently and correctly through the Richmond County Supreme or Family Court.
The process typically includes:
- Initial Consultation – We assess your situation, goals, and legal options.
- Document Preparation – We prepare all necessary court filings, including petitions, summons, and financial disclosures.
- Filing with the Court – We file your documents and begin the legal process.
- Service of Process – We ensure the other party is properly notified according to legal procedures.
- Negotiation or Mediation – Where appropriate, we pursue resolution outside of court.
- Litigation and Trial – If a settlement isn’t possible, we prepare your case for trial and advocate on your behalf in court.
Filing correctly the first time is essential to protecting your rights and avoiding costly delays.
Compensation in Family Law: What Can You Recover?
While family law doesn’t involve traditional “damages” like a personal injury case, it does involve significant financial outcomes, including:
- Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) – Ongoing or lump sum support based on lifestyle, duration of marriage, and earning potential
- Child Support – Enforced payments aligned with NY child support formulas
- Property Division – Share of marital assets such as homes, businesses, pensions, and savings
- Debt Allocation – Fair distribution of shared debt
- Attorney Fees – In some cases, the court may order one spouse to pay the other’s legal fees
We make sure you walk away with what you’re legally entitled to—nothing less.
How Angiuli & Gentile, LLP Helps You
When you choose Angiuli & Gentile, LLP, you gain more than just legal representation—you gain a trusted ally and support system committed to helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Legal Clarity
We break down complex legal concepts into plain, understandable language. You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening or what your options are. Our goal is to make the law accessible, so you can make informed, empowered decisions throughout your case.
Emotional Support
We understand that family law cases often involve grief, anger, fear, or uncertainty. Whether you’re navigating a divorce, custody battle, or post-judgment modification, we approach your case with sensitivity, compassion, and care. You are not just another file—you are a person with real concerns and goals.
Strategic Planning
No two families are alike, and neither are their legal needs. We take the time to understand your circumstances and priorities, then develop a customized legal strategy built around what matters most to you. Our approach is proactive, not reactive—designed to protect both your immediate and long-term interests.
Local Advantage
With over 35 years of experience practicing in Staten Island, we have an in-depth understanding of the local court system, including the judges, clerks, and family law procedures specific to Richmond County. That familiarity translates to practical advantages when navigating the family court or Supreme Court system.
Responsive Communication
Legal matters can be stressful—especially when you’re unsure of what’s happening in your case. That’s why we prioritize responsive, transparent communication. We return your calls. We answer your emails. And we make sure you always know your next step.
Legal and Emotional Injuries Sustained in Family Law Cases
Family law issues can leave lasting emotional and legal scars. While not always visible, the impacts of a custody loss, financial unfairness, or abuse can affect your well-being for years to come.
You may be experiencing:
- Emotional trauma from prolonged legal battles or domestic conflict
- Financial insecurity due to unfair property division or support rulings
- Loss of access to your children or reduced parenting time
- Damage to your reputation from false accusations
- Stress-related health issues or job disruption
We take these injuries seriously. Our goal is not just to win your case, but to support your full recovery and help you rebuild a stable, secure future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Staten Island
When should I speak to a family law attorney?
It’s best to speak with a lawyer as early as possible, even if you’re only considering divorce, custody changes, or legal separation. Early legal advice can prevent mistakes, protect your rights, and help you plan strategically before anything is filed in court.
Do I need a reason to get divorced in New York?
No. New York is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means you can file for divorce on the grounds of an “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage for at least six months. However, traditional fault-based grounds—such as adultery or abandonment—still exist if needed for strategic reasons.
Can I move out of New York with my child after divorce?
Not without permission. Relocating with a child typically requires either the other parent’s written consent or a court-approved custody modification. If the move could impact the existing parenting schedule, the court will decide based on what’s in the best interests of the child.
How is child support calculated in New York?
New York uses a formula-based approach under the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA). It considers both parents’ incomes and the number of children. However, adjustments can be made for factors such as childcare costs, medical expenses, and shared parenting time.
Can I change my custody or support order later on?
Yes. If there’s been a substantial change in circumstances, such as job loss, relocation, a new medical diagnosis, or schedule conflicts, you may petition the court to modify custody, child support, or spousal maintenance orders.
Contact Angiuli & Gentile, LLP Today
If you’re facing a family law issue in Staten Island—whether it’s a divorce, custody dispute, or support enforcement—Angiuli & Gentile, LLP is here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation. Let’s build a legal strategy that gives you control, clarity, and the future you deserve.