Heidi E. Opinsky

Creating a Parenting Plan Can Be a Roadmap for Co-Parenting Success The process of divorce is emotionally taxing and stressful, particularly when minor children are involved. Establishing a comprehensive parenting plan during the divorce process is essential for providing a stable foundation for both parents and children as they navigate this challenging transition.  Let’s explore […]

The Role and Responsibilities of a Guardian ad Litem in Divorce and Child Custody Cases Divorce and child custody disputes can be emotionally challenging and complex for all parties involved, especially the children. Studies report that 40-50 % of children will experience their parents going through a divorce, highlighting the importance of prioritizing their well-being […]

Legal Considerations and Co-Parenting Strategies When Relocating After a Divorce Divorce will bring significant changes in your life, including the possibility of relocation. Statistics show that 3% of custodial parents moved out of their area within 12 weeks of their divorce. (1  )Relocating after divorce in New York presents unique legal considerations and co-parenting challenges, […]

Tips and Strategies of How to Get Back on Your Feet Financially After a Divorce Divorce is a challenging and life-changing event that affects every aspect of a person’s life, including their financial stability. Statistics show that those getting divorced need a more than 30% increase in income, to maintain the same standard of living […]

A comparison of the two primary approaches in New York divorce proceedings, including the benefits and drawbacks of each method, and how to determine which one is right for your unique situation. With 9% of the population of New York divorced, you’re not alone if you’re also treading this new life chapter. (1) Naturally, you […]

Examining various factors that are considered when determining child custody arrangements; including the best interests of the child, parental rights, and visitation rights If you are going through a divorce it is likely taking a significant toll on you emotionally, and financially. Unfortunately, it isn’t only you who’s going through this painful process. If you […]

A discussion of the unique challenges that can arise in high net-worth divorces, such as complex asset division, spousal support, and tax implications Navigating the emotional challenges and hardships that come with divorce is already hard enough. Leaving your partner becomes even more complicated when you have several assets involved. When you own just a […]

Let’s talk about the adoption process in New York, including the different types of adoptions and legal considerations There are 25,397 children in foster care in New York alone. Of these, 3,051 children have a goal of adoption. (1)  Many individuals choose to fulfill the dreams of these children and lovingly welcome them into their […]

You Have Legal Options Available to Help Protect You from Domestic Abuse Statistics reveal that 1 in 4 men and 1 in 3 women have experienced domestic violence by their partner. (1) Domestic violence is especially traumatic because it is carried out by those who are closest to you, and those on who you are […]

Specific Individuals Can Apply to Take Responsibility for a Child Guardianship is required for those individuals who are unable to make proper decisions for themselves. Older adults, incapacitated adults, and children all need guardians to help them live comfortably. According to statistics, approximately 81% of guardians are family members, 11% are public guardians, and only […]

Start Your New Life After Divorce By Taking the Right Steps Once your divorce process is finalized, you will likely feel nervous and confused about your next steps. Walking into your new life after a divorce can be scary and exciting at the same time. To start this next chapter of your life on the […]

The Father Has Several Rights Regarding their Children in a Divorce Case When we look at the national average, statistics show that fathers receive only approximately 35% of custodial time with their children. However, as the years pass and family dynamics continue to change, more fathers are becoming custodial parents. In the last decade, fathers […]

Your Contested Divorce May Be More Public than You Think Statistics show that marriage rates in New York have declined by 53% in the last 15 years. (1) One of the reasons for this drop in couples deciding to tie the knot early increased is financial awareness. Another reason why couples may not want to […]

You Should Remarry After Taking Certain Factors into Consideration Going through a divorce can be extremely traumatizing, and needless to say, many people struggle with difficulty trusting and hoping for a better future after going through the scrutinizing legal divorce process. However, many people have a much better experience when they set their anxiety aside […]

A Lawyer Can Help You Obtain All Your Documents After a Divorce  According to statistics, 29% of previously married young adults get remarried. This number is substantially higher for older adults. According to statistics, adults aged 55-64 have a 67% chance of remarrying. (1) If you’re going through the divorce process, you need to stay […]

A Separation Agreement is Different from Filing for a Divorce Before most couples divorce, they first enter into a separation period to plan out their future and see if they can work through their differences. However, in most cases, the separation doesn’t end well, and the separated couple usually ends up divorcing. Statistics reveal that […]

You Have to Meet Certain Residency Requirements to File for Divorce in CT According to statistics, there are 1.6 divorces per one thousand inhabitants in Connecticut. (1) If you’re also thinking of filing for divorce, you first need to prepare yourself by properly understanding the legal process. Before filing for divorce in Connecticut, you have […]

Efficiently Filing and Serving Papers for Divorce Can Be Optimized with the Help of a Lawyer Going through a divorce and ending the dreams and lifestyle you thought you would maintain forever is never easy. As much as you may want to get this painful process over with as soon as possible, your divorce case […]

The Details of Your Spousal Support Payments Depend on a Variety of Factors — Including the Length of Your Marriage and the Income of Both Spouses Making support payments to your spouse while you are still married is called spousal support. When you are divorced, the payments you make to help your ex-spouse financially are […]

An Order of Protection Can Help Keep You and Your Family Safe According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner. (1) If you have also experienced domestic violence then you need to get to safety without delay, and […]

Your Family Lawyer Can Streamline Your Legal Process While Keeping Your Best Interests at the Forefront Are you getting divorced? Do you need an Order of Protection? Are you struggling with child custody and support issues? If so, a family lawyer can help. If you’re one of the over 600,000 Americans going through family law […]

A Prenuptial Agreement is Legally Binding and Should Be Well Constructed 5%-10% of all American couples opt to create a prenuptial agreement before their marriage. (1) A prenuptial agreement — or prenup — is a contract you sign with your future spouse regarding the methodology of financial dealings in the event of death, separation, or […]

Look at the divorce process including initial filing, counterclaims, motions, discovery, and asset division. Learn how a divorce lawyer can guide you through the process.

Look at the cost of a divorce in NY and CT. Find out what factors affect the cost of a divorce including attorney fees,third-party experts, court fees, and litigation.

In this podcast, Heidi Opinsky talks with John Maher about contested vs. uncontested divorces. She explains the differences and talks about how a lawyer can help you get through arguments and to an uncontested divorce. John Maher: Hi, I’m John Maher. I’m here today with Heidi Opinsky. Heidi is a divorce and child custody lawyer […]

Getting Proper Legal Help with a Child Protective Proceeding According to the American SPCC, over 7 million child abuse reports were filed in the year 2020 alone. (1) Child abuse, maltreatment, and neglect are disturbingly prevalent across the United States. For this reason, when child protective services learn about any child who is being abused […]

What You Need to Know About Filing for an Order of Protection in New York Domestic violence is a highly prevalent crime. According to government statistics, the New York City Police Department responds to over 230,000 domestic violence incident reports annually. (1) If you are being abused, harassed, threatened, or intimidated by someone in your […]

Your Marriage Has to Fulfill Certain Conditions for You to File for Fault-Based Divorce If you are thinking of filing for divorce in Connecticut, you have the option of filing for either a no-fault divorce or a fault-based divorce. You can file a no-fault divorce if you feel like there has been a significant and […]

Child Custody in CT is Decided by the Court, Based on Several Important Factors When going through a divorce, one of the main factors that require consolidation is the custody of the children. Such matters are very sensitive and often lead to long and grueling legal brawls since both parents often believe they alone have […]

Find out how property gets divided in a divorce. Look at tips for couples who are dealing with the division of their personal and business property during a divorce.

Look at alimony laws in divorce cases in New York and Connecticut. Find out what factors the courts consider when determining alimony or spousal support during a divorce.

Reduce Conflict During Your Divorce by Avoiding These Common Mistakes Terminating a marriage permanently can get messy. Research shows that divorce can lead to both ex-partners developing serious psychological conditions such as depression. (1) Since both parties are going through intense emotions, it can be hard to think straight and remain calm during the divorce […]

Child support is money paid from a non-custodial to a custodial parent after a divorce. Look at the factors affecting payment amount and how to make modifications.

The Top 3 Ways You Can Reduce Divorce Costs Going through a divorce can get expensive. Statistics reveal that many divorces end up costing tens of thousands of dollars. (1) A contested divorce will cost more than an uncontested divorce because of the additional court and mediation time it requires. Divorce can cost you more […]

Whether You Need Help with a Divorce Case or a Child Custody Case, a Qualified Family Lawyer Can Help Hundreds of thousands of family court cases are filed every year. Statistics reveal that over 260,000 new family court cases are filed annually in New York alone. (1) If you are in a legal situation that […]

Legal Separation May Be Undone, Whereas Divorce is the Legal Termination of Your Marriage When a couple decides to end their relationship, they have several legal options available to them. The two most common avenues undertaken in such cases are legal separation and divorce. When examined through the eye of the law, there is a […]

A Child Support Enforcement Action Can Help You Get the Child Support Payments You Rightfully Deserve After a divorce takes place and child custody is decided, the parent who is not the primary caregiver — the noncustodial parent — is responsible for providing child support. There are approximately 12.9 million custodial parents in the United […]

After Divorce, Parents, and Grandparents Can Apply for Child Visitation Rights The United States has the highest rate of children living in single-parent homes. According to statistics, nearly a quarter (23%) of children in the US live with a single parent. (1)  The court always tries to ensure that both parents remain in the child’s […]

If You are Going through an Uncontested Divorce, You Can File for Divorce Online Divorce is becoming a common topic amongst households in America. Recent Statistics reveal that the United States has the 13th highest divorce rate in the world. (1)  Just because divorce rates are so high, it does not make the process any […]

A Child Custody Agreement May be Changed in Certain Cases by Taking the Necessary Legal Steps When a child custody agreement is first decided on — whether in court or outside of court —a lot of factors have to be taken into consideration. The goal of a child custody agreement is to prioritize the best […]

Learn about filing federal & NY state taxes when you are paying or receiving spousal maintenance. Get help from a family lawyer now.  Spousal maintenance guidelines can be tricky to understand regardless of whether you’re the payor or the recipient. This is especially true when it comes to figuring out if you should pay taxes […]

Look at how child custody is determined in a divorce. Find out what factors courts consider when couples can’t agree on custody arrangements when they are getting a divorce.

If you are a parent who is going through a divorce or custody dispute in Connecticut, you may be required to take a parenting education program. As of October 1, 2020, these programs may now be completed online, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What is a Parenting Education Program? In order to provide the best […]

Learn about annulment vs. divorce in Connecticut & how veteran divorce attorney Heidi E. Opinsky can help you make the right decision. Sometimes, things just don’t work out in a marriage. It actually happens a lot. But not all marriages end under the same circumstances. In fact, some marriages end through a completely different legal […]

Learn how to protect your family business from being disrupted during a divorce. Get help from a Connecticut & New York divorce lawyer now. A divorce can be a stressful and emotional time for any family, but it can be especially difficult for those who own family business. Your business likely provides a significant portion […]

Discover ways to break the news to your spouse that you want to divorce them. Contact experienced Connecticut & New York divorce attorney Heidi E. Opinsky. There are many ways to tell your spouse that you intend to divorce them. Which is best largely depends on your situation and how you anticipate your spouse might […]

Making the Right Choices Early-On Can Make the Divorce Process Smoother Research shows that adults who undergo divorce have a greater chance of developing anxiety, depression, and substance abuse when compared to their married peers. (1) Divorce can take a serious emotional and financial toll on the separating parties. It’s common for divorce to be […]

A Low Conflict Divorce Can Make the Change of Lifestyle Easier for Everyone Involved – Especially the Children Divorce is hard for everyone involved, but it is often significantly harder for children to cope with. Research published in the Journal of Family Studies shows that children that come from divorced families experienced lower levels of […]

Are you getting a divorce in Connecticut? Here are some simple tips on how you can reignite your career after going through the challenging process of dissolving your marriage.  Starting over after a Connecticut divorce is an intimidating prospect. You’ll need to find new living arrangements and likely, a new job. If you’ve been out […]

Learn how to protect your privacy in the event of a contested divorce. Call veteran New York divorce lawyer Heidi Opinsky today for more information. If you’re considering getting a divorce or your spouse has served you with divorce papers, you may be wondering if your split will remain private or if your divorce will […]

Generally, Litigated Case Records are Public. However, this Ruling Does Not Apply to New York Divorce Cases Did you know that 8.4% of New York residents go through a divorce? (1) Though this rate is significantly lower than its neighboring states, there are still an alarming number of New York couples who are choosing to […]

In this podcast, Heid Opinsky talks with John Maher about paternity tests. She explains how paternity can affect child custody and support cases. Then, she provides several real life examples of cases where paternity was called into question. John Maher: Hi, I’m John Maher. I’m here today with Heidi Opinsky. Heidi is a divorce and […]

In this podcast, Heidi Opinsky chats with John Maher about pre- and postnuptial agreements. She covers the basics of these agreements and outlines scenarios where they can be helpful. She also discusses the importance of creating a strong agreement. John Maher: Hi, I’m John Maher. I’m here today with Heidi Opinsky. Heidi is a divorce […]

Many Couples Going Through a Divorce Own a House Together. So, Here’s the Question: In a Divorce, Who Gets the House? When a married couple officially decides they want to get a divorce, they need to address some serious issues — like the fair division of their assets. With 61% of American homeowners being married […]

In 2011, the Marriage Equality Act was passed, giving all Americans in New York the right to marry regardless of sex or gender identity. Other rights came along with this, including the right to get a divorce. Equitable distribution, child support, and alimony in a same-sex divorce are all considerations that must be made as […]

Discover tips for creating financial safety when divorcing in New York. Get help from an experienced Manhattan divorce attorney below. Finances are one of the most important considerations when divorcing in New york. Not only do you need to take the cost of getting a divorce into consideration, you also need to make sure that […]

Learn about the challenges of long-distance co-parenting & how to navigate them. Get help from an experienced New York divorce lawyer. When co-parenting a child, the parents’ physical proximity to each other has a significant impact on how easily pick-ups and drop-offs can be made. The farther apart two parents sharing custody live from one […]

Heidi Opinsky talks about divorce settlement agreements, what they are, what should be in them, and enforcement and tax effects.

Attorney Heidi Opinsky talks about divorce litigation, and she discusses alternatives to litigation such as mediation and collaborative law.

In the past, a divorce would only be granted in certain cases where one spouse could prove the fault of the other. Now, couples can claim irreconcilable differences, allowing them to divorce without blaming one spouse or the other for wrongdoing. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between fault and no-fault divorces and […]

In cases of separation or divorce where two people share one or more children, child custody and support determinations need to be made according to the best interests of the children involved. However, child support can be a sensitive matter, especially for paying parents who may be unprepared to pay.  If you haven’t paid child […]

Consanguinity in marriage is a marriage between two people related by blood, and they aren’t as rare as the nation may think. Although still uncommon, approximately 8.5% of children worldwide have consanguineous parents, according to the European Journal of Internal Medicine. Many people aren’t even aware they are in a consanguineous marriage until well after […]

Child custody and visitation matters are often one of the most sensitive and controversial concerns to resolve when a couple who share children decides to separate or get a divorce. Veteran New York family lawyer Heidi Opinsky provides counsel throughout child custody proceedings and can help connect you to the support and resources you need […]

Ending your marriage is a stressful experience that is made even more challenging when the couple shares a closely held business.  Valuing a business for divorce is generally necessary in these circumstances to assess the equitable allocation of marital property.   Often, spouses will dispute the value of the organization, necessitating a formal business appraisal to […]

Making the decision to end your marriage is heartbreaking and life-changing, even if it’s something you want or know is best for your family. The next steps are difficult and often require the assistance of a skilled divorce lawyer in Fairfield County. Here’s how to begin the process of filing for a dissolution of marriage […]

When you split with the other parent of your child, you may be required to pay child support in CT to help meet the child’s material needs. Many parents in this position are concerned how much child support is going to cost them, how long they’ll have to pay it, and overall what they can […]

Child custody in Connecticut and New York can be difficult for families, especially when the matter becomes contentious. In some situations, a guardian ad litem may be appointed. Many families don’t know what a guardian ad litem is or what they do before one is assigned to their case. Instead, you should know ahead of […]

Interested in divorce arbitration? For many people, the idea of litigating their divorce is a nightmare. From child custody and support to alimony, retirement benefits, and property division, going through the process of dissolving your marriage contentiously is difficult at best. Fortunately, there are options available for residents of Connecticut and New York who would […]

The process of divorce can be time-consuming, stressful, and costly. Collaborative divorce can help. While the majority of divorces aren’t as dramatic as those on TV, they certainly aren’t easy. A divorce typically requires you to hire a lawyer and depending on whether or not you and your spouse agree on various issues of your […]

Irrespective of their marital or relationship status, all parents have a financial responsibility to their child. When parents can’t agree on what each person’s child support responsibilities ought to be, one parent will usually pursue judicial intervention to establish child support in CT.  Child support proceedings can take months or even years to settle, leaving […]

Getting a divorce is an involved process with a lot of moving parts and factors to consider. What the final settlement for each party will look like is determined by a number of various issues. This is further compounded by the unique way that the state of Connecticut treats property division, which is much different […]

Even the cheapest DIY divorces tend to cost at least a few hundred dollars, and that’s only if you barely have any property to divide and you don’t have children. The cost of getting a divorce in CT can vary greatly depending on several different factors, some of which you may have control over and […]

In many cases of marriage dissolution, divorce mediation in CT is ideal. There are many benefits to traditional divorce lawyer alternatives like mediation that can offer everyone a satisfactory resolution. Veteran Connecticut family attorney Heidi Opinsky discusses the advantages of divorce mediation below.   Advantages of Divorce Mediation in CT  Reduced Cost of Divorce  Mediating your […]

If you’ve decided to divorce your spouse, you will need to file a divorce petition and have it personally served to them. Connecticut divorce lawyer Heidi E. Opinsky discusses various options for serving your spouse with divorce papers below.  Options for Serving Your Spouse Divorce Papers in CT  There are a few different options for […]

Many people assume that a divorce is inherently very expensive. In many cases, this is not an incorrect assumption. Divorce can be costly for a number of different reasons and how much one costs overall is impacted by several different factors. Here’s what to know about the cost of getting a divorce in New York […]

Many states no longer issue paper checks to custodial parents for child support payments. This was cumbersome, time-consuming, and caused numerous delays in families getting their child support funds on time. The state of New York has implemented a new way of making child support funds available to custodial parents. Here’s what to know about […]

Going through the process of getting a divorce is challenging in a number of different ways. Understanding New York divorce laws and how they might impact you as you move through the stages of dissolving your marriage is critical to a successful outcome. Here are the top 10 New York divorce laws to know and […]

Traditionally, when civil cases reach the stage of litigation, court records become public. However, this is not the case in New York when it comes to records of family legal matters, including divorce, child custody, alimony, and other similar issues. There may occasionally be exceptions to the rule though, so it’s important to understand the […]

Do you really need to hire a New York divorce attorney if you don’t share property with your spouse? You may have heard that it’s easy enough to do a DIY divorce if you don’t have assets to allocate, however, this may not be in your best interests. Here’s what to know about hiring a […]

Going through the process of child custody and support negotiations as a single-father-to-be can be stressful and confusing. Here’s what you should know about fathers’ rights and how they are impacted by New York child support laws.  Both Mothers and Fathers Have Equal Rights to Their Children Under New York Child Support Laws  In the […]

Child support is a sensitive family legal matter that can often become highly contentious. One parent may be concerned about receiving enough support to meet their child’s needs while the other may be concerned they will be ordered to pay more than they can afford. Here are five tips when pursuing child support and how you […]

When a marriage breaks down, it’s common to want to place blame on one party. In fact, it used to be a legal requirement for divorce. Now, this isn’t the case and it’s possible to file a divorce where neither party accepts blame for the breakdown of the marriage. This is called a no-fault divorce. […]

Meeting with a Manhattan divorce attorney for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. You may be at a loss of what to say, or you may have a dozen questions you want to ask. You may be wondering what to expect during your initial consultation or what your own responsibilities are. Here are some […]

Earlier this year, Connecticut governor Ned Lamont signed a bill that made the Constitution State the sixth in the U.S. to revoke the right of parents to claim a religious exemption from child vaccination mandates that have been established by schools, universities, and day care providers.  According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the […]

When most people think of child support in New York, they picture men having their wages garnished for their children while the mother retains physical custody. However, this image is outdated. It doesn’t reflect the fact that now, either parent can have primary custody. Either parent can also be ordered to pay child support.  Regardless […]

Getting a New York divorce is tough no matter how you slice it, but divorcing when you share children with your spouse can be particularly challenging. You’ll need to break the ice, but how you do it and what you say can have a significant impact on a child. Here are some ideas to help […]

When you get divorced, you must determine how your assets will be divided, no matter what state in the U.S. you are located. However, not all states treat this process the same way. Connecticut is among the few states that adhere to a unique set of laws to allocate property when a marriage is dissolved.  […]

The purpose of alimony in Connecticut and New York is for both partners to be able to maintain more or less the same lifestyles as they did when married. Support is commonly used to temporarily provide for a person who requires employment training or extra schooling prior to entering the job market.  The kind, length, […]

Before you choose a Connecticut divorce lawyer, it’s important to make sure you’re both on the same page about what will happen. Essentially interviewing family law attorneys can be a nerve-wracking experience. However, agreeing to work with someone without doing so first can lead to disappointment, complications, and other frustrations down the road. Here are 5 […]

When a judge orders child support, both parents are legally obligated to abide by the terms of the order. However, if your financial circumstances change, the initial child support order may become ineffective or inappropriate. You can’t just quit paying child support or lower your payment.  What you need to do instead is file a […]

A primary concern in a New York divorce or child custody case involving a child younger than 21 is how each parent will be financially responsible for the child — here’s what to know about filing child support in New York. If a child’s parents are unable to reach an agreement, a family court will […]