Albany Law Firm Handling Family Law, Personal Injury, Estate Planning and More Got a Problem? Face It Head-On.
No legal problem is insurmountable. True, some experiences can leave you scarred — but the right lawyer can help make sure that you remain standing.
At Colwell, Colwell & Petroccione, LLP in Albany, New York, we have more than 18 years of combined experience serving in the private and public sectors. Attorneys from our firm have served as prosecutors, public defenders, city attorneys, and in other roles. We are prepared to guide clients through a wide range of legal issues adeptly and cost-effectively.
If you're facing a legal conflict, face it head-on, confident that your lawyer understands how to pursue your goals efficiently. We offer free consultations regarding any of the following issues:
Family Law: Our law firm is available to handle divorce and other legal matters involving family relationships.
Divorce: We seek to help clients keep costs down and stay focused on their goals.
Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce: An uncontested divorce can be resolved with much less time, expense and aggravation.
Equitable Distribution of Property: It's not about a 50-50 split of assets, but rather, about a division of assets that reflects each spouse's contributions and fair distribution of the marital estate.
High Net Worth Divorce: When one or both spouses own businesses, stocks and bonds or unusual assets such as intellectual property, a careful analysis of value is very important.
Separate Property and Debt: What is marital property and debt, and what is separate property? Ask a family law attorney.
Business Valuations: Determining the value of a business or interest of a business is not always straightforward.
Hidden Assets: Do you suspect that your spouse is hiding assets such as bank accounts, gold or investment income?
Licenses, Degrees, Enhanced Earning Capacity: The incremental increase that a professional degree or license earned during the marriage brings to an individual or a household over his or her expected work life is potentially marital property.
Professional Practice Valuation: What is the value of a medical clinic, a law practice or a counseling service?
Pensions, 401Ks and IRAs: Ask our divorce attorneys about QDROs.
Collaborative Divorce and Mediation: Some couples prefer less acrimonious alternatives than traditional litigation in family court.
Grounds for Divorce
Adultery/Grounds for Divorce: In New York, there is no such thing as "no fault" divorce.
Abandonment/Grounds for Divorce: Has your spouse been gone for more than a year?
Constructive Abandonment: Are you living with marital abstinence, although you still live in the same house?
Cruel and Inhuman Treatment: Are you living with physical, emotional or psychological abuse?
Child Custody and Visitation: Where children will live and when they will see each parent are matters of lifelong importance.
Joint Legal/Sole Legal Custody: There are some situations where sole legal custody is appropriate — such as when one parent is out of reach, in prison or unfit.
Out-of-State Custody Proceedings: If you or the other parent has moved away from New York, we can still help you reach a workable child custody arrangement.
Modifications of Custody, Visitation and Support: Have family circumstances changed?
Parental Relocation: What happens if you are the custodial parent, and you need to move out of state to take care of your elderly parents, to take a new job or to remarry?
Enforcement of Custody, Visitation and Support: Is your former wife or husband putting obstacles in the way of your visitation schedule with your children — or failing to pay child support as ordered by the court?
Child Support: The state child support guidelines are a reliable starting point — but sometimes special circumstances apply, such as when a child has learning disabilities or disabled and needs tutoring or therapy.
Paternity: Settle the paternity question promptly for the best interests of the child.
Spousal Maintenance (Alimony): Discuss with a knowledgeable family law attorney whether alimony is likely to be appropriate and likely to be ordered.
Modification of Spousal Support: Has your or your former husband's or spouse's income changed significantly?
Vacating Default Judgments and Orders: Was the divorce settled to your detriment — and you did not have a chance to respond?
Domestic Violence: Protect your safety and your family. Protect your rights to access your home and children. We represent individuals accused of domestic violence — and victims of domestic violence.
Abuse and Neglect Proceedings: Have you received an abuse or neglect petition from family court? If so, you may be required to appear in an abuse or neglect proceeding where the future of your parental rights will be litigated and potentially terminated.
Family Offense Proceedings: Common complaints include harassment, assault, stalking, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct.
Other Family Law Issues
Grandparents' Rights: Contact us if you need advice and assistance maintaining access to your grandchildren.
Separation Agreements: A separation agreement may pave the way for an expedited divorce a year later.
Prenuptial Agreements: Be sure you understand what you are agreeing to before you marry.
Annulment: Is divorce out of the question for you, for reasons such as health insurance or religious beliefs?
Domestic Partnerships: Unmarried couples: know your rights if you are approaching a break-up and you have shared income, expenses, property or custody of children.
Personal Injury
Auto Accidents: The first order of priority after a car crash is a detailed investigation.
Slip and Fall (Premises Liability): A minor accident may have major consequences.
Real Estate, Estates and Other Practice Areas
Real Estate: We help clients with buy-sell agreements, residential and commercial leasing — and more.
Business Formation and Litigation: Are you planning to start a new business?
Wills, Trusts and Probate: Plan now for a smooth transfer of assets after your death — and protect your assets during your lifetime.
Government Affairs: We have experience lobbying before the New York State Legislature on behalf of clients.
Dedicated to Meeting Your Expectations
You have goals for how you'd like your case to turn out. We'll work closely with you, one-on-one, to come up with a practical plan to meet those goals. We can help you find the most efficient and practical route from your current predicament to your desired outcome.
But understand, we can't do the impossible — no lawyer can. If your goals aren't realistic in light of the law and the facts on the ground, then we'll tell you so. We won't sugarcoat the truth or make false promises just to get your business. We'll give an honest, unvarnished assessment of your case and your options.
Ready to Face Your Issue Head-On? Start With a Free Consultation
Call today at 866-377-0285. You can also contact us online.
