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Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq., PLLC.
Family Law Attorney
Every family is different. When money problems, relationship issues, or safety concerns come up, they can touch every part of your home life.
Family law often carries a deeper and longer impact than other legal matters. If you are separating or divorcing, seeking an order of protection, keeping your visitation and custody rights, or arranging child or spousal support, the process can get complicated fast.
You do not have to face this alone. Feeling vulnerable or overwhelmed is normal in serious family matters. No matter your circumstances, your rights matter. You deserve a lawyer who puts your interests first.
At the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq, we work to reach the most favorable outcome with the least stress and heartache. Manhattan family law attorney Richard Roman Shum can walk you through the legal process and explain the legal nuances in plain language. Our team can help outline your options and stand up for your rights throughout the New York legal process. When you are ready, we are here to help you take the next step.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled New York City family law attorneys, contact us today at (646) 259-3416 or fill out our online form.
“I was very impressed with how astute, detail oriented and methodical Richard is with his work. He is experienced, technically proficient, highly effective and an excellent negotiator, who is proactive and knows the law inside and out. Richard kept me informed regularly and was responsive to all my requests and queries. All the traits that any good lawyer worth his salt should possess.”
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Family law practitioners are tasked with maintaining the delicate balance of being objective in utilizing the hard and fast rules of the legal system while offering a compassionate and personalized approach toward the families they are working with.
A good family lawyer is both your advocate and your confidant. Some matters call for tough tactics. Many do not. In most family cases, a level head, integrity, and an open mind lead to better results and less fallout.
Attorney Richard Roman Shum believes in using a personalized approach to family law and in using collaborative methods where appropriate. He strives to protect his clients’ legal rights and, when children are involved, fights for an outcome that keeps the children’s best interests in mind. At the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq, it is our priority to help our clients through their legal troubles so that they may look to the future with an optimistic view.
For a free consultation with Manhattan family law attorney Richard Roman Shum, contact us today at (646) 259-3416.
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Fighting against the legal system can be terrifying, but with Richard Shum, you never have to fight alone.
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Family law, as a legal practice, covers a lot of areas. The Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq. offers quality representation for the following legal concerns:
Our law firm provides a detail-oriented and pragmatic approach to the cases we handle. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at (646) 259-3416.
A lifelong New Yorker and Lower East Side resident, Richard Shum, Esq. brings a deep commitment to justice and a genuine understanding of Manhattan’s diverse communities to every family law matter. As a father, he knows how profoundly legal decisions can affect children and parents alike, and he approaches each case with a clear, pragmatic strategy grounded in compassion and respect.
Clients turn to Mr. Shum for his focused, calm courtroom demeanor and his ability to craft comprehensive, effective paths forward. He guides clients step-by-step through divorce, custody, support, and related issues, working to secure durable, peaceful outcomes as efficiently as possible. In addition to family law, Mr. Shum accepts select matters in other practice areas and provides tailored legal consulting to individuals and businesses.
“Attorney Richard Shum assisted my family and I with a very difficult landlord. At a time of a lot of concern and uncertainty, Mr. Shum was there for us every inch of the way, his confidence and vast knowledge of the law, together with his passion for it and for helping people, provided us the serenity to go on about our life, while he took care of they daunting matter. At the end we reached an agreement only Atterney Shum could achieve. Since I recommended his service to any friends that is in need of help with legal matters, from Landlord/Tenant to family court, and in every case I receive a thank you call from said friends, following the successful outcome he provided. So, as I say to my friends, if you need an Attorney that will fight for you, and not stress you out, call this guy. you will thank me.”
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Free Consultations and Case Assessments Are Available by Appointment. Off-Hours and Weekend Appointments Are Available.
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There are two types of divorce in New York State: contested and uncontested divorce. The kind of divorce a couple needs is highly dependent on whether they can agree on the most significant aspects of their union.
Before the divorce is granted, the couple must meet the New York residency requirements, determine the grounds of the divorce, as well as agree upon the following matters:
Couples who reach an agreement on these significant matters may have the option of going through an uncontested divorce. Uncontested divorces are a more amicable solution for couples seeking to end their marriage. As couples who go through this type of divorce are more willing to cooperate and collaborate on the aspects of their divorce, an uncontested divorce is typically a quicker and less expensive way to end one’s marriage. With the help of a skilled Manhattan uncontested divorce attorney, filing the necessary paperwork and fulfilling the legal requirements would be considerably easier.
A contested divorce happens when a couple needs the intervention of the court to make decisions on the more sticky aspects of their divorce. When the court has decided and imposed the terms of the divorce, each spouse must strictly adhere to the New York Supreme Court’s decision. In a contested divorce, it is indispensable to have a knowledgeable New York City contested divorce lawyer to represent your interests.
Most divorce cases will inevitably involve some disputes and contention. A skilled Manhattan divorce lawyer with a good grasp of New York family law can help ensure that the couples come to a mutually beneficial outcome through negotiation, mediation, and, when necessary, litigation. Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, our team of experienced Manhattan divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq may be able to assist you in navigating the complicated legal processes.
Contact us today at (646) 259-3416 to schedule a free consultation.
| Role | Example of Work | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Legal advice | Meeting with clients, explaining rights and options | Help clients make informed decisions |
| Document preparation | Drafting agreements, petitions, and custody plans | Ensure legal accuracy and enforceability |
| Mediation and negotiation | Settling disputes over custody or property | Resolve conflicts without going to court |
| Court representation | Appearing in hearings and trials | Advocate for clients’ interests in court |
| Child-related issues | Handling custody and support matters | Protect the best interests of children |
Family law mediation and arbitration give you practical ways to resolve divorce and parenting issues without a drawn-out courtroom fight. In mediation, you and the other party meet with a neutral mediator to discuss custody, parenting time, support, and finances. It is confidential and voluntary in New York City Family Court for custody and visitation matters, and you can ask a judge to refer your case at any time. If you reach an agreement, the terms can be turned into a written stipulation for court approval. Manhattan also offers a Matrimonial Mediation Program in the Supreme Court to help divorcing spouses work out parenting and economic issues with trained neutrals.
Arbitration is different. You and the other party choose a private decision maker who hears evidence and makes a binding award. New York’s Civil Practice Law and Rules Article 75 governs the process. A court can compel or stay arbitration, an arbitrator has authority to conduct a hearing and issue an award, and a party may later apply to confirm, vacate, or modify that award. Once confirmed, the award becomes a judgment. These tools make arbitration useful for property division, support calculations, and other economic disputes that need finality.
A Manhattan family law attorney can assess if mediation or arbitration fits your goals, screen for safety and power-imbalance concerns, and prepare you for sessions with clear budgets, disclosures, and parenting proposals. We can help select the mediator or arbitrator, participate in sessions, draft or review the term sheet, and present it to the court. If you arbitrate, we can handle the Article 75 steps to confirm an award or, if necessary, seek to vacate or modify it on narrow statutory grounds. Throughout, you get a focused strategy that saves time and reduces cost while protecting your rights in New York courts.
You deserve clarity, closure, and a process that fits your family. If you want more say and a collaborative setting, start with mediation. If you need a decisive ruling in a private setting, consider arbitration. We can help you pick the right track and move forward.
In a divorce, one of the most important aspects to consider is the matter of the child or children’s well-being. A major concern in a divorce case is how the couple will decide the matter of child custody.
New York does not have a statutory presumption for joint custody. Courts decide custody based on the child’s best interests, which can result in sole or joint legal/physical custody depending on the facts. Joint custody may be ordered (often where parents can cooperate), but it isn’t presumed. The matter of child custody is also split into two distinct sorts of custody. Physical custody pertains to which parent the child lives with, while legal custody refers to which parent will make important decisions in their child’s life.
If parents are not cooperative or cannot come to an agreement about their child’s custody, it will be determined by the court according to what it deems to be in the child’s best interest. The court will take careful consideration of the family’s unique circumstances and decide depending on the needs of the children.
The court may consider the following when deciding child custody:
The court may also take into consideration the child’s preference. If a parent disagrees with the order, getting the help of a skilled attorney is crucial. Should the court decide that either parent is unfit to get custody of the children, other family members may be granted custody of the child subject to deliberation by the court.
Under New York law, if sole custody is awarded to one parent, the court will also likely order the development of a visitation schedule for the benefit of the non-custodial parent. In cases where visiting with the non-custodial parent would put the child’s safety at risk, supervised visitation may also be granted. If the child’s grandparents on the side of the noncustodial parent would like to maintain a relationship with their grandchild, visitation rights may also be granted, should the grandparents petition the court.
Parents are legally responsible for supporting their children financially until they are 21 years of age. As such, furnishing child support for the custodial parent may be necessary to ensure that the children will have adequate care. In New York divorce cases, both parents’ financial standing will be evaluated to ensure that any child support order issued is fair and that both parents understand their obligations. The amount of child support required will be filed and calculated using a set of guidelines established by the state.
New York calculates basic child support under the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) using fixed percentages of the parents’ combined parental income. The current combined-income cap is $183,000 (effective March 1, 2024); above the cap, the court may apply the statutory factors and/or the percentages to income over the cap:
If the children spend the majority of their time with only one parent, the non-custodial parent may be required to pay child support to the custodial parent. When parents have joint custody, it does not automatically mean that neither parent will pay child support. Typically, such family court matters will be decided by requiring the parent who earns more income to pay child support.
Additional expenses and financial obligations will be considered a shared responsibility by the parents, with costs being calculated based on each parent’s income. The child’s educational expenses and medical costs may be included in this category of shared expenses.
Hiring a skilled Manhattan family law attorney is necessary when it comes to matters involving child custody and support. Our team of experienced attorneys at the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq may be able to help you negotiate the finer points of your divorce and achieve an outcome that reflects your family’s best interests.
Contact us today at (646) 259-3416 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.
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Domestic abuse is a pattern of behavior perpetrated by a person against someone with whom they have an intimate relationship. Domestic abuse is used in a marital context by one spouse to maintain power and control over their partner.
While domestic abuse and violence are commonly depicted as physical in nature, there are other forms of abuse:
Domestic abuse and violence are considered fault-based grounds for divorce under New York law. When deciding on cases of domestic abuse, New York courts will not only consider the divorcing parents but include their former partners and whether there is a chance for the behavior to affect their living situation during and after the divorce proceedings.
When abuse is a factor in a divorce, it is important to get the help of a capable attorney who can handle the additional challenges these cases present. An experienced New York family lawyer has many courses of action and resources available to aid in protecting the safety and well-being of the people involved.
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Family law matters can cause great anxiety and stress to everyone involved. If you are dealing with a family law issue, it is essential to hire an attorney who can understand the nuances of your case. An experienced attorney would also be able to provide you with your options and explain the legal implications of any path you choose.
Manhattan family law attorney Richard Roman Shum has the experience and knowledge to help protect your rights. At the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq, we provide a compassionate yet professional approach to family law matters. Our lawyers are here to advocate for and represent your family’s best interests in cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, or domestic abuse and violence.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our Manhattan family law attorneys, contact our office today at (646) 259-3416.
“Most kind and professional lawyer. A true gift. He saved me from the brutal claw of my management company and saved me a lot of money and pain.”
