Louis F. Simonetti, Jr. – Divorce Lawyer in Southampton

Louis F. Simonetti, Jr. is the driving force and founder of Simonetti & Associates. With over 30 years of legal experience being a Divorce Lawyer in Southampton, he draws from his corporate and business background to continue to develop the family law practice he started in 1990.

•  Long Island, New York
•  877-385-2560

Louis F. Simonetti, Jr. is the driving force and founder of Simonetti & Associates. With over 30 years of legal experience, he draws from his corporate and business background to continue to develop the family law practice he started in 1990. He has considerable experience analyzing various types of business ventures and financial situations, which allows him to maximize property divisions and settlements on behalf of his clients in divorce proceedings.

In addition to being an avid sports fan, Mr. Simonetti dedicates himself to giving back to the community. He has served as general counsel to various youth organizations and religious organizations, providing legal services for their members. He is a lifelong resident of Long Island and the father of four children and has been married for over 30 years.

Education

• – J.D., St. John’s University School of Law, 1987
• – Member, St. John’s University Law Review, 1986 –1987
• – Recipient of St. Thomas More Guild Scholarship
• – B.S.E., magna cum laude, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1984
• – Established the Wharton Investment Banking Society

Bar admissions

• – New York, 1988
• – U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1989
• – U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 1989

Recent Blog Posts From Our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton

Enforcing Child Support Orders

Did you know that if you have custody of your child, you have the right to collect child support from the noncustodial parent? In New York State, once a divorce agreement is consolidated, child support is mandatory until the age of 21. Social services mandate that the highest-earning parent contributes an amount that was agreed upon either in court or by a mediator. In most cases, the issue with child support for most is finding adequate enforcement of child support for the providing parent. To discuss your child support needs, be sure to contact our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton here at Simonetti & Associates.

Enforcing Child Support Orders

In New York State, the child support enforcement program overdue child support can be collected through administrative procedures that can be enforced without going to court. Before any administrative procedures, the noncustodial parent is notified about the procedure. They are also provided with a deadline and instructions to either challenge or comply with the action, and they are made aware of the consequences of failing to comply. Here are some of the procedures that may be used to enforce child support orders: 

• Income Execution (IEX) 
• Income Tax Refund Intercept
• Unemployment Insurance Benefits Intercept
• Drivers License Suspension

It is important to note that many of these procedures will not be used unless the noncustodial parent fails to comply with their child support agreement. With Simonetti & Associates, a Divorce Lawyer in Southampton can help guide you through the child support process. While child support is one of the oldest divorce laws in effect, many people still try to avoid the order by making lump-sum payments and claiming to make less money than they do. As a countermeasure for this, the parent receiving child support reserves the right to demand more child support through a court appeal. Every state has a social service for enforcing child support. In New York, they use the HRA (Human Resources Administration) to manage child support payments. The primary issue with the HRA is that they offer no real enforcement of payments aside from moderating the amount both parents agree on. According to the DPPA (Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act), a “deadbeat” parent can be charged with a misdemeanor for missing child support payments up to $5,000 and a felony for missing payments up to $10,000. The DPPA is one way to ensure that the noncustodial parent pays what they owe. A Divorce Lawyer in Southampton at Simonetti & Associates can discuss all the options that are available to you to support your needs. 

Contact Our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton

Simonetti & Associates has been in practice for over 30 years and our team can properly assist you with all of your family and divorce law needs. If you are having trouble arranging equitable child support payments and enforcing a noncustodial parent to make their payments, be sure to contact us to get the help you need today!

What Happens If You Can’t Afford Child Support?

How Can Our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton Help You?

One of the most highly disputed aspects of divorce involves custody and child support payments.  When a parent is not awarded custody, it is likely they will need to make child support payments to ensure the child’s future is financially protected.  However, situations in life can arise where a previously set payment can no longer be met.  If this happens to you, be sure to reach out to us here at Simonetti & Associates right away.  Our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton will work with you and the courts to try and adjust your payments to make sure no legal repercussions are faced due to the inability to pay them.

What Is Child Support?

As previously stated, child support is a payment amount set by the court that the non-custodial parent is required to make.  Various factors go into setting the payment amount, and our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton will work diligently to have a favorable one set.  These payments will go towards:

• Basic necessities
• Medical care
• Educational fees
• Child care
• Travel/transportation expenses
• College fees

Penalties For Not Meeting Payments

If you are forced into a situation where you can no longer meet your child support payments, the solution is not as simple as merely not paying.  You have a legal obligation paying the full amount that was set by the court.  Failing to do so can have you facing punishments such as:

• Losing your driver’s license
• A seizure of your tax returns
• Diminished credit score
• Jail time
• Felony charges  

Lowering Or Halting Your Payments

Although lowering or halting your child support payments is difficult, it can be done.  However, achieving this will require the help of a top attorney.  At Simonetti & Associates, we have years of experience in these matters.  We will compile and provide evidence that will be presented to the court that proves it is unfeasible to make the previously set payments.  

Contact Our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton

Legal issues such as making child support payments are nothing to scoff at.  If you feel you are currently unable to make these payments, our team at Simonetti & Associates can help.  To schedule a consultation with our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton, contact us today!

What Happens If I Lose My Job During A Divorce?

How Our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton Can Help

Divorces can be a destructive force in your life, even in ideal circumstances.  If you are unfortunate enough to lose your job during this process, it can make matters even worse.  At Simonetti & Associates, our staff has seen this happen before.  Our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton would like to explain how this can affect the different aspects of divorce, and the ways we can help you through it.

Child Support

If you and your soon to be ex-spouse have children together, one party is going to be required to pay child support.  The amount that is required to be paid is partially determined based on income.  Should you have been the one who would be required to pay child support, the expected payments could change as a result of the loss of income. When filing for unemployment, a portion of your benefits may now be taken out to cover child support expenses.

Alimony 

Losing your job during a divorce will also have a direct impact on your alimony.  During a divorce, the court will determine which spouse was the supporter, and which was the dependent.  The supporting spouse is required to make alimony payments to the dependent.  If you were named the supporting spouse, but have lost your job, the previously set alimony payments may be lowered.

Custody

Sometimes, losing your job could be a blessing in disguise.  When the court makes their decision on custody, they do so based on the best interest of your child.  If your previous job had required you to work long hours or frequently travel, it could have limited your chances of receiving joint custody.  Replacing this job with one that has a more reasonable schedule means that the custody agreement may be amended.  However, if you had a job that required regular hours, but replace that with one where you now must work nights, our dDivorce Lawyer in Southampton warns it can negatively affect any custody agreements.  

Contact our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton

Losing a job during a divorce can throw a wrench into an already difficult situation.  Fortunately, our attorneys at Simonetti & Associates will help you wade through these treacherous waters.  The representation of our Divorce Lawyer in Southampton can assist you in achieving an optimal outcome with your divorce in less than ideal circumstances.  Contact us today and feel confident about our legal protection.  Divorce Lawyer in Southampton.

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