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Stephen Bilkis graduated from Touro Law School in 1997. Soon after he passed the bar exam of New York and established the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates. In over 20 years of practice, Mr. Bilkis has successfully represented scores of clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island, and Staten Island in matters related to personal injury, probate law, criminal law, and family law.

Mr. Bilkis strongly believes that each client is unique and each case is different. His solutions are never “one size fits all.” He prides himself on listening to his clients, reviewing all facets of each case, and using his deep knowledge of New York law to come up with individualized solutions for each client.

Stephen Bilkis has been a member of various national and local bar organizations and associations including the New York State Bar Association, American Prepaid Legal Institute, the American Association for Justice, AARP Legal Services Network, and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Stephen Bilkis and the staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have well-earned reputations as knowledgeable and effective attorneys who fight for their clients’ legal rights. Because of this, the firm, its attorneys, and some of their notable cases or clients, in whole or in part, have been mentioned on several media outlets including CNN, CBS, CNBC, and ABC New York, as well as in the New York Times, New York Post and Newsday.

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Since 1997

Head of Law Office

Stephen Bilkis & Associates

Current

Touro Law School

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AFL-CIO Union Privilege Legal Plan

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American Prepaid Legal Institute

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Current

New York State Trial Lawyers

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New York State Bar  # 2842938

Member

1997 - Current

Union Plus Benefits for AFL-CIO Union Members Newsletter

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Union Plus, AFL-CIO Legal Benefits Conference, Washington, DC

AFL-CIO

Gave yearly talks about employment benefit packages to the AFL-CIO Union leaders and members

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Writers Guild of America East

Q. Am I obligated to split mobile home sale earnings with my estranged husband in NY?

May 19, 2025

A: If both you and your estranged husband were listed on the title of the mobile home, New York law generally recognizes that you both have an ownership interest in the property. However, the situation is more complex because you mentioned that your husband agreed not to receive any earnings from the sale and that you have text messages documenting this agreement.

Under New York law, property owned by married couples is typically considered marital property, especially if both names are on the title. This means that any proceeds from the sale of marital property are generally divided between the spouses. However, if you and your husband reached an agreement, documented in writing (such as text messages), stating that he would not receive any of the sale earnings, this agreement may be enforceable.

The strength of your agreement depends on the clarity of the text messages and the circumstances under which your husband signed the bill of sale. If the messages clearly show that he voluntarily gave up his right to any proceeds from the sale, and he did so with full knowledge of his rights, this can be used as evidence to support your position. However, your husband could still challenge this agreement later, claiming that he signed the bill of sale under duress, misunderstanding, or without proper knowledge of his rights.

If your husband later decides to pursue a share of the sale proceeds, you may need to defend your position in court. In that case, you should be prepared to present the text messages as evidence of your agreement. A court will review the facts, including the communication between you and your husband, and may decide that your agreement is valid and enforceable.

It may be beneficial to consult with an experienced New York divorce lawyer to review the text messages and any other relevant documents to ensure your interests are protected. An attorney can help you prepare for any possible disputes that may arise if your husband changes his position regarding the sale proceeds.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York. ... Read More

Q. Legal options for father to visit his mother in NY amid family dispute.

May 19, 2025

A: I understand how difficult and heartbreaking it must be for your father to be prevented from visiting his ailing mother, especially during such a critical time in her life. When family disputes interfere with the ability to see a loved one, it can create tremendous emotional strain. Fortunately, there are legal steps your father can take to assert his right to visit his mother in New York.

Since there are no existing court orders or guardianship arrangements that formally restrict your father from visiting his mother, his first option is to try to resolve the issue through open communication with your aunt. He can attempt to directly discuss the situation with her and express his desire to see his mother. If this approach is not successful, he may need to consider legal action.

Your father can file a petition in the New York Supreme Court for an order of access to his mother. This is commonly known as a petition for visitation. In his petition, he should explain that his mother is suffering from severe health issues, that there are no legal orders prohibiting his visitation, and that he has a strong, meaningful relationship with her that he wishes to maintain. He should also emphasize that the family dispute over your personal injury case should not prevent him from seeing his mother.

The court will review the circumstances and may consider your grandmother’s wishes, especially if she is able to communicate her preferences. If your grandmother is mentally competent, her wishes regarding who she wants to see will carry significant weight. If she is unable to express her wishes, the court will consider the best interests of maintaining family connections and allowing your father to visit.

It is also worth noting that if your aunt attempts to claim that she is acting as your grandmother’s guardian, she would need to present evidence of a legal guardianship order. If no such order exists, she does not have the authority to prevent your father from visiting his mother.

Given the emotional and legal complexities of this situation, it is highly recommended that your father consult with an experienced attorney who can help him file the petition for visitation, represent his interests, and ensure that his rights to see his mother are protected.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York. ... Read More

Q. Can I have two marriage certificates for name hyphenation in New York?

May 19, 2025

A: In New York, you cannot obtain two separate marriage certificates for the same marriage event. However, if you wish to update your surname to a hyphenated version after your marriage certificate has been issued, you can request an amendment to the existing certificate. This process does not require a second marriage ceremony.

New York State allows individuals to choose a new surname upon marriage, including a hyphenated combination of both spouses' surnames. This choice is typically made during the marriage license application process. If you did not select a hyphenated surname at that time, you can still change your name after marriage. For official records and identification documents, it is best to have the change reflected on your marriage certificate.

To amend your marriage certificate, you should contact the office of the City Clerk where your marriage license was originally filed. You will likely need to complete an Amendment Application and provide appropriate documentation supporting the name change. This may include identification documents and evidence of the intended name change. Once the amendment is processed, you will receive a corrected marriage certificate reflecting your hyphenated surname.

It is important to note that while the amended certificate will serve as legal proof of your name change, you will still need to update your name with various government agencies and financial institutions. This includes the Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicles, banks, and other relevant entities. Each organization may have its own requirements for updating your name in their records.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York. ... Read More

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