Joseph & Smargiassi, LLC

09/29/2023

Proud to share a court decision received today; our client was awarded $19,500,000.00 in an enforcement proceeding along with other relief.

07/21/2023

Congratulations to John Smargiassi and Mario Alex Joseph on their selection as Super Lawyers!

10/31/2022

Happy Halloween 2022!

05/31/2022

“Engaging in self help” is a term used to describe what a party does when s/he doesn’t seek available court intervention, electing instead to resolve their problem however they want. Of course there are exceptions, but judges generally frown on self help and it can severely prejudice a case. Yet self help can greatly enhance your case in certain circumstances. Make informed decisions, hire a great attorney.

05/12/2022

It's official! Our satellite office at 1024 Broadway in Woodmere, NY is active. Cheers!

12/22/2020

We've trained for your fight.

11/11/2020

We thank our veterans for their honor and sacrifice.

10/08/2020

Big win for us yesterday on a case that was taken up to the appellate division. This decision is a public record. We secured custody for our client and his wife later argued that she should not have to pay child support for the various reasons reflected in the decision. It’s a major development for our client and his family. We couldn’t be more proud. Fight a good fight, and you should be rewarded. Since there is no guarantee of outcome on a case that can be very expensive to litigate, we especially appreciate the faith that our clients have in us. This validation by the appellate division is extremely rewarding. Congratulations to Mario for his trial work, and John for his appellate work. 🏆 🏆

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/ad2/Handdowns/2020/Decisions//D64159.pdf #

09/02/2020

It's 12:54am EST and we're still working on divorce submissions in New York. The struggles are real. This has been our practice area for over two decades. Please contact us for help and share our contact information for your friends in crisis.

https://nypost.com/2020/09/01/divorce-rates-skyrocket-in-u-s-amid-covid-19/

Divorce rates have spiked in the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic as couples have been stuck at home for months. The number of people looking for divorces was 34 percent higher from March throu…

07/19/2020

A member of our team was informed over the weekend of a disturbing trend involving a teen who helps his friends file for unemployment benefits, claiming they lost jobs due to COVID. The teen then takes a commission. The problem is that his friends never had job offers. That’s fraud and it’s serious. Consider this a public service announcement. If you have a teen at home, speak to them about their use of digital devices in your home, and/or being complicit in fraudulent schemes. While you may be sensitized to warm your kids about drugs and po*******hy, you may not think a reminder is in order about breaking the law and incarceration over fraud. It is. Participation on ANY level is a recipe for disaster.

06/19/2020

The world is changing, but some things thankfully never do. Our team will always be grateful to our clients for letting us know how much we are appreciated. Thank you for your support!

04/21/2020

None of this is surprising. Life is too short to be miserable. Home is a safe haven for many, but Hell for many others. Prepare for what’s ahead. We added a line for inbound calls. The law doesn't favor those who sit on their rights. Call us at (212) 625-9949 or (516) 789-0233 to schedule a telephone consultation.

Surge in divorces anticipated in wake of COVID-19 quarantine

04/01/2020

One of our partners redirected the equipment of his family business to manufacture face shield bands for emergency responders. They are freely distributing the file for one of their designs that is compatible with common sheet protectors. More information is at HoodSkulls.com on its COVID-19 page. Feel free to widely distribute the free design, and coordinate support for the emergency responders on the front line of this war. Thank you Mario and John for making this happen. 🙏

03/31/2020

You have access to the courts for certain matters, but so does your spouse or business/life partner. Things will return to normal soon, and you may find yourself worse off for sitting on your rights. We can’t make the call for you, but we are here to receive your call. • We serve clients throughout New York and New Jersey. Schedule a confidential consultation at (212) 625-9949.

03/27/2020

This petition relates to our nation's small businesses, and need for more economic stimulus programs. Please sign and share the petition.

Should small business owners across America now receive the same support as after 9/11?

03/25/2020

In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Governor issued an Executive Order that authorizes e-notarization. The procedure is explained on the attached link. Thank you NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers.

03/25/2020

This is precisely what we have been posting about.

A top NYC divorce attorney says there’s been a 50 percent rise in filings.

03/25/2020

Courts are open, though with limited and modified access.

03/19/2020

Good morning! Fine day to evaluate your life, and resolve to be shrewd. For decades, people have said that life is short and you should live each day as though it’s your last. It’s not your last day (you’ll log back in tomorrow), but it’s a great day to discuss options. This crisis impacts your debt, business, finance, housing, marriage and health. Quarantine shouldn’t involve you burying your head in the sand.

03/19/2020

After 9/11 our office helped to secure grants for hundreds of businesses in lower Manhattan. Now we're preparing for something much larger and desperately needed. Stay tuned for our new project at VIRUSFUND.org

President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Wednesday night that provides critical support to Americans impacted by the coronavirus. The bill provides “sick leave, unemployment benefits, free coronavirus testing, and food and medical aid to people affected by the pandemic” that orig...

03/19/2020

Lest anyone think that our team welcomes the situation that we are in, we do not. We have families and friends who we care about deeply, and we fully appreciate the enormity of the Coronavirus health crisis. HOWEVER, we believe that the health crisis should not become your legal crisis. What do you do if your child is 'abducted' while you're in quarantine? How will a decrease in income this year impact your child support award? How will an increase in debt impact equitable distribution? This is a difficult time for us all, and we understand the need to step up for you (in NY and NJ). Stay safe. Stay healthy. Be legally proactive.

03/19/2020

Coronavirus fears have shut down public events, cancelled an entire sports season and discouraged travel on mass transit. It’s forcing hundreds of thousands of couples to stay inside together for *very* long stretches of time. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a bit actually. Our team is available for you. Act now. The law doesn't favor those who sit on their rights. Call us at (212) 625-9949 or (516) 789-0233 to schedule a consultation by telephone or video conference.

03/17/2020

Legal problems don’t pay attention to the news. This is a great time to take advantage of some down time. Be smart! Develop a game plan and get your questions answered. Our team is ready for you and your legal problems in NY or NJ. We are operating from our Long Island office primarily, and secondarily from our Manhattan office for the next several weeks. Call us at (212) 625-9949 or (516) 789-0233 to schedule a consultation by phone or in person.

12/12/2019

That is the law in New York. Let it sink in for a moment, then consider the impact on your divorce case. Are you seeking child support and maintenance from a spouse with whom you filed joint tax returns, but underreported income for tax liability reasons? Are you disgusted by your marital situation, but just experienced a significant change in your income? How about your spouse? *Everything* matters. Don’t take anything for granted. Our team believes that a fair, amicable solution is always best. However, we also promote fighting like an animal when that path isn’t available. Everyone deserves to experience love and respect at home, like we enjoy.

07/24/2019

Our satellite office on Long Island is open in Valley Stream. We’re thrilled to finally make this announcement!

06/23/2019

Midway through the year and we wanted to share our appreciation. Thank you clients and friends for your support. Business and marital problems can be difficult to resolve and emotionally draining, which is why we are especially grateful for your trust. Thank you!

04/24/2019

Thank you World Journal for that recognition! Our law office handles divorces between couples and business partners, in every community.

01/01/2019

When you’re prepared, there’s nothing to fear.

11/08/2018

So grateful to have the opportunity to work with people who change the world for the better.

10/11/2018

Hustling to court with our client to file emergency papers. Two court appearances in 1hr on opposite ends of the same county for a client with an emergency.

09/06/2018

Taking stock of what we have, and feeling very grateful at the moment. This picture was taken last night from the window of our office, still downtown since the attacks. In these days leading up to 9/11, let’s all celebrate life and spend more time with our families, doing the things we love most.

06/21/2018

The life story is not for us to tell, but this hard-fought and recent (public) decision changed the life of our client for the better. Congratulations Mario Alex Joseph for demonstrably excellent trial work, and John Smargiassi for preserving that win with top notch appellate work. Our law firm works hard to repair lives, and we remain grateful for the support of our clients. Our team would be incomplete without the incredible support of Florendia Dragazis, Esq. and Jasmine Vasquez. Thank you!

05/13/2018

Happy Mother’s Day!!

04/27/2018

Legal eagle Mario Joseph makes the top 1 percent in the nation

Congratulations to our partner, Mario Joseph, on his well deserved profile in the Long Island Herald.

Woodsburgh resident and matrimonial lawyer Mario Alex Joseph was selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel as a member of the nation’s top 1 percent. The organization is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence.

02/14/2018

SORRYCUPID.COM – Cupid Makes Mistakes. We Fix Them.

Happy Valentine's Day! Make today amazing for the love of your life (but visit www.sorrycupid.com tomorrow).

Home The divorce process can cause extreme anxiety, and we understand that. When a marriage sours and divorce attorneys are brought in, it can feel like the worst is yet to come. The fact is though, that the worst will soon be behind you. We are here to guide you, advocate for you and maybe even hel...

12/11/2017

Preemptive advice got our client out of a terrible mess, and very likely into custodial Shangri-La. Great. Credited by our client and his/her family for giving that advice. Outstanding. Gratitude in the trenches makes the long hours and hard work worthwhile. So does getting paid. This holiday season, be sure to show gratitude to the people in the trenches alongside you. Happy Holidays!

11/23/2017

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Let’s all show some gratitude today.

11/06/2017

The House Tax Bill: Six Popular Breaks You Didn't Realize You'll Be Losing

Parties contemplating divorce should take note of a major tax development. The tax reform bill that has been introduced, if adopted, will remove the tax deduction for spousal support (i.e. maintenance or alimony), while making receipt of such spousal support tax-free. Creative attorneys will still structure settlements to minimize tax liabilities for clients, but our strategies will need to be adjusted. We look forward.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2017/11/02/the-house-tax-bill-six-popular-breaks-you-didnt-realize-youll-be-losing/amp/

The House proposed its vision of tax reform today. And hidden within those 429 pages were (at least) six tax breaks that you're sure to miss.