Buying a house in New York before December 31, 2026, can make sense if you find a suitable property, have dependable financing, and can complete inspections, title review, and closing preparations without rushing. In Buffalo and Western New York, fall and early winter may offer negotiating opportunities, but seasonal timing alone does not make a […]
Holiday parenting time in New York can affect your regular custody schedule when your custody order or parenting agreement includes separate rules for holidays, school breaks, vacations, birthdays, or other special occasions. A family gathering, vacation, religious observance, or change in school plans does not automatically replace court-ordered parenting time. Your first step should be […]
Yes. A child custody or parenting schedule can change during the school year in New York. A new school routine does not automatically change an existing custody order, though. Whether a change requires court involvement depends on the current order, the nature of the scheduling problem, whether the parents agree, and whether the proposed modification […]
When a home inspection or final walkthrough reveals a repair issue before a New York closing, responsibility usually depends on the purchase contract, inspection provisions, later written agreements, and when the problem occurred. A seller is not automatically required to repair every problem an inspector finds, and a buyer is not necessarily required to accept […]
If a home appraisal comes in below the purchase price, the sale does not automatically end. The buyer’s financing may change because the lender generally bases the loan on the appraised value rather than the higher contract price. The parties may be able to renegotiate the price, have the buyer bring more cash to closing, […]
While a New York divorce is pending, there is no automatic rule that the spouse who stays in the marital home must pay the mortgage or that the spouse who moves out is released from responsibility. Mortgage responsibility can depend on whose names are on the loan, each spouse’s income, temporary maintenance or child support, […]
Yes. Overtime pay can affect child support in New York because overtime that you actually earn can be included in the income used to calculate support. New York courts may review tax returns, W-2 forms, pay stubs, year-to-date earnings, employment history, and evidence showing whether overtime remains available. If your overtime changes from month to […]
Fall can be a smart time to buy or sell a home in Buffalo, New York, because the season creates a focused planning window between busy summer activity and the practical challenges of winter. If you are buying, you may have more time to evaluate a property carefully and plan around inspections, financing, title work, […]
A parent can sometimes change a child’s school after divorce in New York, but the answer depends on the custody order and who has authority to make educational decisions. Legal custody covers major decisions such as education. When parents share joint legal custody, they generally must make major decisions together unless their order gives one […]
Buying a home before winter in Western New York can give you time to move before snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make exterior work and moving more difficult. Before closing, you should pay close attention to your contract, inspection provisions, property disclosures, title, financing, insurance, repairs, possession, and final walkthrough. Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & […]










