Law Offices of Mindin & Mindin, P.C.

08/17/2026

Hayden Panettiere’s custody history highlights something New York courts confront every day: loving your child and being able to provide the most stable home are not always the same question.

Addiction, mental health, recovery, and changed circumstances can all matter, but custody decisions ultimately turn on the child’s best interests, not blame.

Our latest blog looks at how New York courts handle these difficult cases and why recovery can matter without automatically undoing an established custody arrangement.

Read the full post on our blog.

The untimely death of actress Hayden Panettiere at age 36 on August 16, 2026 has renewed attention to a painful part of her life: her decision for daughter Kaya to live primarily with her father, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere’s family has confirmed her death whi

07/16/2026

Check out our latest post about infidelity clauses in New York prenups.

Many engaged couples come into a New York prenuptial agreement consultation with a very specific request: they want an infidelity clause. The idea is easy to understand. If one spouse cheats, the other receives a financial penalty, a larger share of assets, or some other negotiated consequence. It f

07/06/2026

Taylor Swift may have billion-dollar problems. You just need smart planning.

Read our latest blog post to learn why prenups are not just for celebrities.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s reported marriage has generated the kind of public attention only a global music icon and a championship NFL player could create. The couple married at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 3, 2026. Not surprisingly, the conversation quickly turned from the...

07/02/2026

In a recent decision, the appellate court affirmed relocation and custody to the father, but sent the case back because the mother’s parenting schedule was not realistic or specific enough for an out-of-state arrangement.

Custody is about best interests. Parenting time still has to be meaningful.

Read our latest blog post to learn how New York courts handle relocation, custody, and practical access schedules.

In Matter of Carrington v. Pepitone, 2026 NY Slip Op 04193 , the Appellate Division, Second Department addressed a common but difficult custody issue: what happens when one parent is awarded custody and permitted to relocate the child out of state, but the parenting time schedule left behind for

05/25/2026

A Kings County Supreme Court decision from Justice Jeffrey Sunshine breaks down how courts approach pendente lite support when parents share equal parenting time but have very different incomes. The decision also addresses alleged underemployment, private school tuition, trust discovery, and interim counsel fees.

For NYC professionals and parents navigating divorce, this is a must-read.

05/14/2026

NYC professionals are working differently, and parenting roles are changing with them.

More fathers are seeking joint physical custody and equal parenting time because they are already doing the daily work: school logistics, medical appointments, homework, activities, and bedtime routines.

Our latest blog breaks down what this shift means for professional parents navigating divorce and custody in New York. Read the full post on the Mindin & Mindin, P.C. blog.

A recent report discussed new research from Dr. Ariel Binder of the American Institute for Boys and Men showing a meaningful shift in how college-educated fathers are spending their time. According to the article, between the three-year period ending in 2019 and the three-year period ending in 2024,

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from Mindin & Mindin, P.C.!

04/29/2026

Yes, New York divorce court can end up deciding who keeps the dog. No, it is not “pet custody” the way people talk about child custody, but the law now requires judges to consider the best interest of the animal when awarding possession. If your dog or cat is basically your emotional support during the divorce, you need a strategy, not a meltdown. We wrote a practical guide on how NYC judges actually handle pets, whether “visitation” is realistic, and what proof matters. Read it on the blog and tell us in the comments: team dog, team cat, or team “the turtle stays neutral.”

In a New York divorce, the fight over the dog or cat is often the most emotional dispute in the entire case (besides child custody of course). That is because most families do not view a pet as “property,” even though the legal system historically did. New York law has now moved in a more modern...

04/28/2026

If you’re in a New York custody fight, “I love my kids more” is not a legal argument. Courts decide custody on best interests, meaning stability, day-to-day parenting, and which parent is more likely to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. Our latest post breaks down a new First Department decision and what it means for NYC parents. Visit the blog to read it.

In Matter of Ola A. v Bafode D., 2026 NY Slip Op 02149 (1st Dept Apr. 9, 2026) , the Appellate Division, First Department affirmed a New York County Family Court order awarding the mother primary physical custody and granting the father a defined parenting time schedule that included alternate