Betty J. Potenza Law Office

DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW

     A divorce affects families both emotionally and financially.  The more contentious the divorce or litigation, the higher the emotional and financial toll will be.  Children in particular can be negatively affected by disputes between their parents.  I will work hard to preserve your relationships with your children and move toward an amicable divorce and resolution that is truly in your best interests and in the best interests of your children.

     I can also help you resolve issues that arise after separation, such as relocation of a custodial parent, child custody modifications, modification of child support and spousal support, as well as enforcement of existing visitation and support orders.

ATTORNEY FOR THE CHILD

      As a member of the Attorney for the Child Panel in the Ulster County Family Court, I am assigned to represent the interests of children and youth in Family Court, and to protect their rights and interests.

WILLS 

     The primary reason for making a will is to leave your property to those you care about in the manner and proportions you choose.  Without a will, the assets in your estate in most instances will be distributed according to Distribution Rules of Intestacy, which could very well differ from the distribution you desire, and may leave your loved ones financially unprotected.  A will can enable you to direct the distribution of your assets in accordance with your wishes, and provide financial protection to your loved ones.

LIVING WILLS AND HEALTH CARE PROXIES

      Despite its name, a living will is entirely different from a will that designates the distribution of your assets after your death. Instead, a living will is a legal document that states the type of medical treatment you would like healthcare professionals to follow if you are unable to express these wishes yourself either because you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious. A living will states the types of medical treatments that can and cannot be used on you. Living wills typically cover issues such as artificial life support, resuscitation, and tube feeding.

      Deciding on medical treatment and health related issues is an extremely personal decision that every individual has the right to make on his or her own. Making sure your medical wishes are carried out in the unfortunate circumstance that you are unable to verbalize your decisions is very important. It is imperative for all adults and not just the elderly to have a living will because unexpected illnesses or accidents can happen at any time regardless of your age.

      In order to ensure that your wishes will be carried out, it is necessary that you create a living will and health care proxy. Once you have a living will and health care proxy, you can rest assured that your decisions will be granted. In addition, knowing that you have a living will takes the potential burden of decision making off your loved ones because you had planned ahead.

PROBATE AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

     I will assist your family in filing the necessary papers with Surrogate's Court to appoint an estate administrator or executor, and to see to the collection of assets, payment of bills, process claims of the estate, and to achieve final distribution among the family according to the Will or New York State Intestacy Laws. 

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

     Buying and selling a home can be stressful.  I am committed to helping eliminate the anxiety associated with buying and selling a home, and can walk you through the process.

NY TRAFFIC TICKETS

     I will assist you in resolving Traffic Tickets in local courts in Dutchess County and Ulster County, including the Towns of Lloyd, Plattekill, Marlborough, New Paltz, Ulster, Shawangunk, Lagrange, Hyde Park, Poughkeepsie, Pleasant Valley, Clinton, and other surrounding towns.

      I will appear  on your behalf and eliminate the need for you to appear before the court in person.

     In the local courts, plea bargaining (reduction of a serious violation to a less serious violation) is an available option.  While I can never guarantee a client of a particular outcome, in many of the cases I handle, I have been able to help my clients achieve their goals, including keeping a clean record and/or minimizing points on their driving record.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.  You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.  I invite you to contact me and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail.  Contacting me does not create an attorney-client relationship. 

Please do not send me any confidential or sensitive information via e-mail as it is not secure.

For an Initial Consultation or for information about your legal rights and options in divorce, family law, special education, estate or other  matters, contact me. 

 I have offices located in Highland and Milton.

Weekend and evening appointments are available.