Mary Katherine Brown

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Practice Areas

Business Law: Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Divorce: Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Family Law: Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

Medical Malpractice: Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors

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5 Questions Answered

Q. In N.Y., can a parent deny visitation between the grandparent ane the minor children of the parent?: June 25, 2012; A: Yes, unless there is a court order specifically stating they cannot.

Q. How do i sign over my parental right of my child to his mother.: March 30, 2012; A: As you may know by now, you cannot simply "sign over" a child to another person. In New York, a parent may voluntarily terminated their rights in certain situations where an "involuntary" termination is possible, but a voluntary one is just easier. Otherwise, if there is another adult that wants to adopt the child, the biological parent MAY be allowed by the court to voluntarily terminate their rights so the adoption may proceed. Each circumstance is different, and your best option is to consult with a local attorney before you take any further action. Good luck!

Q. I am 25, my girlfriend is 17. I have my own apartment. Is she able to run away, TO me legally? Will she be forced home?: September 13, 2011; A: It is hard to answer your question because in New York, the age of consent is 17, but the age of majority is 21, and an otherwise competent 18 year old is considered legally responsible. She can become "emancipated" prior to age 18, which means she is no longer in the custody and control of her parents, but there is no specific "process" for that; however, New York Law recognizes the status of emancipation and the rights of emancipated minors. To determine whether a young person is emancipated, the following factors are critical:

The youth must be living apart from his/her parents;

The youth must be self supporting (may be receiving public benefits or child support if required by court order);

The youth is not in need/receipt of foster care;

The youth is living beyond the custody and control of the parent;

The youth is over the age of 16.

You can browse around the following website for more information: www.empirestatecoalition.org

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