CHANGESTO NEW YORK INSURANCE LAW AFFECT DIVORCING COUPLES

Posted on October 5, 2009 by David A. Gabay

 Two recent changes to New York state insurance law will have a substantial impact on couples divorcing and separating. Those changes, signed into law on July 29, 2009, are:

1.    COBRA coverage will now be available in New York for 36 months.

 

2.    Families can now keep dependents on their insurance policies until age 29.

Of course, neither of these new laws apply to self-insured companies.

The practical effect of these extensions of insurance coverage will be to increase the value (or cost) of insurance coverage for divorcing couples, and therefore the impact and importance of insurance coverage as a issue to be considered and resolved in any divorce action.

For more information on New York state divorce law, please visit my website at www.GabayLawFirm.com

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TIMING IS EVERYTHING: WHEN CLIENTS DECIDE TO BEGIN A DIVORCE

Posted on October 2, 2009 by David A. Gabay

One of the great mysteries of my divorce practice is the question of when clients decide to begin a divorce. I’ve always wondered what it is that makes any particular client decide that today, now, is the time to commence an action. I’m sure I will never understand exactly what is in my client’s mind at that unique point in time, so I suppose I’m going to be relegated to observing and commenting on what actually happens after the fact.

Here are two (2) very different experiences I’ve had with clients over the past two (2) days:

Yesterday, I met with a woman at her home for about two (2) hours for an initial consultation for a divorce. We covered a myriad of divorce topics, from the anatomy of a divorce case to equitable distribution to tax impacting settlements and post-settlement housekeeping issues. At the end of the meeting I asked how she would like to move forward with her case. She let me know she was not making any decisions right away, but that I should call her in one week.

Today, I received a call from a woman who wanted to come in to this office and discuss her options for a divorce. An hour later, we met and after a 15 minute discussion she retained me to handle her case.

The juxtaposition of these two consultations is an interesting commentary on the utter individuality of all of my clients. It also reminds me that no matter how many times I think I know which ‘box’ a case or client fits into, I’m probably wrong.

If you would like more information on New York divorce law, please visit my website at www.GabayLawFirm.com

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