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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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Q. Can my daughter's grandmother's visitation case be dismissed due to her perjury?

May 14, 2025

A: I understand your frustration with this situation, especially when you believe that false statements have been made against you in court. In New York, a grandparent may petition for visitation with their grandchild under Domestic Relations Law § 72, but they must demonstrate that they have standing and that the visitation is in the best interests of the child. Standing is generally established by showing that a grandparent has a substantial pre-existing relationship with the child, or that circumstances such as parental death make visitation appropriate.

In your case, the fact that your daughter’s grandmother ceased communication in September 2024 and expressed disinterest in maintaining a relationship may weaken her claim to standing. Her texts indicating that she “doesn’t bother you” could be presented as evidence that she chose to disengage. If the court finds that she did not maintain a meaningful relationship with your daughter and that her visitation request is not in the child’s best interests, the petition may be denied.

Regarding the issue of perjury, it is important to understand that perjury is a criminal offense involving knowingly making a false statement under oath. However, not every false statement in family court leads to a perjury charge. In your situation, you may use the text messages as evidence to challenge her credibility and to show that her statements under oath were false. You can present the text messages to the referee as evidence of her inconsistent statements, which may undermine her case. While this may not lead to criminal perjury charges, it can significantly impact her credibility and the strength of her claim.

If you are currently in front of a referee rather than a judge, the referee will make findings of fact and recommendations, but those findings are subject to review by a judge. You should prepare your evidence clearly, including a timeline of communications and the text messages that contradict her claims. If the referee’s recommendation is unfavorable, you can request a review by a judge.

You may also consider consulting with an experienced family law attorney who can help you present your case effectively and ensure that the court understands the complete history of your daughter’s relationship with her grandmother.

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. Late ticket notice for passing stopped school bus in Hempstead, NY

May 14, 2025

A: I understand your frustration in receiving a ticket for passing a stopped school bus months after the incident occurred. It can be alarming to receive notice of a violation long after the event, especially when you may not clearly remember the circumstances. In New York, including the town of Hempstead, tickets for passing a stopped school bus can be issued based on video recordings under the local school bus camera enforcement program. However, these tickets must comply with specific legal requirements regarding timing.

Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1174-a, which governs the use of school bus cameras, a notice of violation must generally be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within a specific time frame. For vehicles registered in New York, the notice must be sent within 30 days of the alleged violation. If the vehicle is registered out of state, the notice must be mailed within 60 days. This time limit is intended to ensure that drivers receive timely notice of alleged violations, allowing them to address the issue while the details are still clear.

In your case, the incident occurred on February 24, 2025, but the ticket was not mailed until May 5, 2025, which is more than two months later. If your vehicle is registered in New York, this mailing date appears to exceed the 30-day limit required by law. As a result, you may have a strong basis to challenge the ticket.

To contest the ticket, you should follow the instructions provided on the notice for requesting a hearing. At the hearing, you should present a clear explanation that the ticket was mailed too late to be legally valid. Bring a copy of the ticket showing the date of mailing, and clearly explain how it violates the timing requirement. You may also consider requesting a written decision from the hearing officer in case you need to pursue an appeal.

If you encounter difficulty having the ticket dismissed or if you are unsure how to present your case effectively, consulting with a traffic attorney can be helpful. They can ensure that you present your arguments clearly and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

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 a medical group be sued for malpractice due to rushed procedure from scheduling error?

May 14, 2025

A: I am sorry to hear about your experience. Medical malpractice claims in New York generally require proving that a healthcare provider deviated from accepted medical standards and that this deviation caused harm. In your situation, the key issues involve whether the rushed procedure directly resulted from the scheduling error and whether the outcome you experienced can be directly linked to this rushed process.

If the scheduling error forced your procedure to be rushed, and this lack of proper preparation contributed to a negative outcome, you may have grounds for a malpractice claim. The fact that the medical assistant mentioned that cancellations were common due to office errors may suggest a broader issue with the medical group’s scheduling practices. If these practices led to a pattern of rushed procedures or inadequate care, this may strengthen your claim.

Medical malpractice claims in New York require that a patient demonstrate four elements: (1) a doctor-patient relationship existed, creating a duty of care; (2) the provider deviated from accepted medical standards; (3) that deviation directly caused harm; and (4) the patient suffered measurable damages as a result. In your case, the rushed procedure and resulting negative outcome may constitute a deviation from standard care, especially if the second opinion confirmed that the initial diagnosis was incorrect.

Even though you did not file a complaint with the medical group, you are not required to do so before pursuing a malpractice claim. However, it can be helpful to document your concerns in writing, as this may support your argument that you attempted to resolve the issue. You should request a complete copy of your medical records from the medical group, including scheduling notes, procedure documentation, and any communications with the office staff. This may help establish whether the rushed procedure was an isolated incident or part of a larger problem.

Medical malpractice claims in New York must be supported by an expert opinion from a qualified medical professional who can attest that the care you received deviated from accepted standards and caused your harm. Given the complexity of this situation, you should consider consulting with an experienced medical malpractice attorney serving New York who can review your records, obtain expert opinions, and advise you on the best course of action.

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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