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Long Island Family Law Attorney
“I attribute my overall success to the fact that I truly care.”
Family legal problems rarely arrive at a convenient moment. Chris Palermo Law focuses exclusively on divorce and family law, guiding Long Island families through separation, custody, and support with straight answers about what New York law provides and what happens next in a Nassau or Suffolk courtroom. Attorneys Chris Palermo and Riley Perry bring more than two decades of combined family law experience, and one of them personally handles your case from the first conversation to the final order.
Your case will be heard in one of two court systems. Divorce actions are filed in Supreme Court, which sits in Mineola for Nassau County and Riverhead for Suffolk. Custody, child support, paternity, and family offense petitions brought outside of a divorce belong in Family Court, located in Westbury for Nassau County and in Central Islip and Riverhead for Suffolk. We appear in these courthouses every week, and that familiarity with local judges, support magistrates, and procedures shapes our advice from day one.
Most family disputes settle, and we push hard to resolve yours through negotiation or mediation before it ever reaches a trial calendar. When the other side refuses to be reasonable, we litigate, backed by a strong record in Nassau and Suffolk courts. Consultations are free. Call (631) 780-0085 or send a message through the form below, and you will typically hear back within 24 hours.
Divorce, Uncontested Divorce, and Mediation
New York is a no-fault state. Either spouse can file for divorce on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably for at least six months, with no need to prove abandonment, cruelty, or any other misconduct. What actually determines the time and cost of a divorce is not the ground but the level of agreement between the spouses.
An uncontested divorce, where both spouses settle property, support, and parenting terms up front, can move through the court in a matter of months. A contested case can run a year or longer, with equitable distribution, custody, and support resolved through negotiation or trial. We handle both, and we also offer divorce mediation for couples who want to reach terms together with a neutral professional guiding the conversation.
Divorce RepresentationChild Custody and Parenting Time
Custody in New York comes down to a single standard: the best interests of the child. There is no formula and no automatic preference for mothers or fathers. Nassau and Suffolk judges weigh each parent’s caregiving history, the stability of each home, work schedules, the child’s ties to school and community, any history of domestic violence, and, depending on age and maturity, the child’s own wishes.
Custody itself has two parts. Legal custody covers decision-making authority over education, medical care, and religion, while physical custody and the parenting time schedule determine where the child lives day to day. We help parents build parenting plans that hold up in real life, and when agreement is impossible, we litigate custody in Family Court or as part of a divorce.
Custody Representation
Serving Nassau County
Nassau County
Nassau divorce cases are heard at the Supreme Court in Mineola, while custody, support, and family offense petitions go to Family Court in Westbury. We represent clients across the county, from Hempstead and Garden City to the communities along both shores.
Family Law in Nassau Attorney
Serving Suffolk County
Suffolk County
Suffolk families appear at the Supreme Court in Riverhead and at Family Court in Central Islip or Riverhead, depending on where they live. With our primary office centrally located on the Island, we are minutes from clients in Huntington, Smithtown, Babylon, Islip, and Brookhaven.
Family Law in Suffolk Attorney
North and South Forks
The East End
East End cases are typically heard in Riverhead, and we regularly appear there for clients from Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton, and the surrounding communities. Distance from western Suffolk should never decide who represents you.
Family Law in the HamptonsOne conversation can replace weeks of worrying.
Meet Your Attorneys
Chris Palermo
Chris Palermo, Esq. has been practicing law for over 20 years and his brings extensive experience to Long Island families. With a law degree from Touro College (2001) and undergraduate studies at Villanova, Chris combines strong academic credentials with a genuine commitment to his clients.
He’s known for his caring yet forceful approach, effectively guiding hundreds through complex family law matters. Admitted to practice in all New York State courts, Chris is recognized by peers and clients alike, holding a 10/10 Avvo rating and accolades like National Top 100 Trial Lawyer.
Beyond his legal expertise, Chris is deeply involved in the Suffolk County community, supporting local causes like the Marcie Mazzola 5K Run/Walk and St. Jude Foundation. This dedication to both legal excellence and community service underscores his commitment to serving those in need.
Riley Perry
When you need a trusted divorce and family law attorney in Suffolk County, Riley T. Perry, Esq., brings a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and personalized care to every case. As a partner at Palermo Law, Riley has built a reputation as a tireless advocate for clients navigating the complexities of divorce, child custody, and family law matters across Long Island.
With deep roots in the local community and a proven track record, she’s here to guide you through life’s toughest legal challenges with compassion and skill.
- New York State Bar Association
- Suffolk County Bar Association
- Suffolk County Matrimonial and Family Law Committee
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys’ 10 Best Female Attorneys
Hands-On Counsel for Every Family Law Matter
Child Support & Spousal Maintenance
Child support follows the Child Support Standards Act formula: 17 percent of combined parental income for one child, 25 for two, 29 for three, 31 for four, and at least 35 for five or more, applied to income up to $193,000 as of March 1, 2026. Spousal maintenance has its own formula, applied to the paying spouse’s income up to $241,000, and the real fight is usually over how income is determined, especially for self-employed spouses.
Orders of Protection, CPS, and Paternity
When safety is at stake, speed matters. Family Court can issue a temporary order of protection the same day a petition is filed, and we move quickly to secure that protection or to defend clients who have been wrongly accused, because these orders carry lasting consequences for custody and parenting time. We also represent parents in CPS investigations and neglect proceedings, and we establish paternity for mothers and fathers alike.
Adoption on Long Island
Adoption is the one family law matter that ends in celebration, and we treat it that way. We guide stepparents, relatives, and new parents through agency and private placement adoptions across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, from the home study through the finalization hearing in Family Court.
At many firms, the attorney you meet at the consultation quietly hands your file to someone you have never spoken with. Here, either Chris Palermo or Riley Perry personally manages your case from the first meeting through the final order. We deliberately limit our caseload to make that possible, and the more than 100 five-star Google reviews from Long Island clients reflect what that attention feels like.
The credentials back it up. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of family law cases in Nassau and Suffolk courts and have been recognized by the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and as Super Lawyers Rising Stars. With seven office locations across Long Island, free initial consultations, and calls returned promptly, usually within 24 hours, real answers are always within reach.
Answers for Long Island families
Do I go to Family Court or Supreme Court?
It depends on the case. Only the Supreme Court can grant a divorce, which on Long Island means Mineola for Nassau County and Riverhead for Suffolk. Custody, child support, paternity, and orders of protection outside of a divorce are filed in Family Court in Westbury, Central Islip, or Riverhead. Many families end up with matters in both systems, and we practice regularly in each.
What are the grounds for divorce in New York?
Nearly all divorces now use the no-fault ground: the marriage has broken down irretrievably for at least six months. Fault grounds such as abandonment and cruel treatment still exist but are rarely necessary. You do not need your spouse's agreement to file.
How long does a divorce take on Long Island?
An uncontested divorce is often completed within a few months of filing, depending on how quickly the county processes the paperwork. Contested cases commonly run a year or more, and the pace depends largely on how many issues remain in dispute. Settling even part of the case early can shorten the timeline considerably.
Is property split 50/50 in a New York divorce?
No. New York uses equitable distribution, which means marital property is divided fairly based on factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, and each spouse's financial circumstances. Fair often means equal, but not always, and property you owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance generally remains separate.
How is child custody decided?
Judges apply one standard: the best interests of the child. They weigh caregiving history, home stability, work schedules, any history of domestic violence, and the child's wishes in light of age and maturity. Neither parent gets a head start because of gender.
How is child support calculated?
New York applies a percentage to the parents' combined income: 17 percent for one child, 25 for two, 29 for three, 31 for four, and at least 35 for five or more. As of March 1, 2026, the formula covers combined income up to $193,000, and the court decides how to treat income above that. Health insurance, child care, and certain educational expenses are added on top.
Learn more about how child support is calculated in New York
Can I receive spousal support?
Possibly. New York calculates maintenance with a statutory formula applied to the paying spouse's income up to $241,000 as of March 1, 2026, and the length of the marriage guides how long payments last. Courts can adjust the number based on factors like age, health, and earning capacity, and temporary support may be available while your case is pending.
Can a custody or support order be changed later?
Yes. Custody and parenting time can be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order. Child support can also be reviewed after three years, or when either parent's income changes by 15 percent or more, unless you gave up those grounds in a written agreement. Property division in a divorce judgment, by contrast, is final.
Legal Memberships & Awards
