Frequently Asked Questions

You can request a confidential consultation by calling (516) 440-3440, emailing info@michel-law.com, or using the contact form on our website. Consultations are available in person at our Great Neck office, by phone, or by video conference.

No. Michel Law is a selective, boutique practice. We accept a limited number of engagements at any time to ensure every client receives the full weight of our attention. During your initial consultation, we will determine together whether your matter is a good fit for our practice.

Yes. Every matter at Michel Law is personally handled by Fabrice K. Michel from initial consultation through resolution. You will not be handed off to an associate or paralegal. This commitment to direct, senior-level representation is fundamental to how this firm operates.

Yes. Fabrice K. Michel provides legal services in both English and French. If you would prefer to conduct your consultation or engagement in French, simply let us know when you reach out.

An uncontested divorce can be finalized in as little as three to six months. A contested divorce involving disputes over assets, custody, or support — particularly one with complex financial issues — can take one to three years or more, depending on the issues and the court's calendar. Early strategic planning can often reduce both the time and cost involved.

New York is an equitable distribution state — meaning assets are divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. For high-net-worth matters, key issues include the characterization of assets as marital or separate property, the valuation of businesses and complex financial instruments, the tracing of inherited or pre-marital wealth, and the tax consequences of various settlement structures. Strategic legal counsel at the outset can significantly affect the outcome.

Potentially, yes — depending on the circumstances, including when the business was founded, how it has been maintained during the marriage, and whether a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement is in place. Business interests in divorce require careful valuation, tracing, and negotiation. We work with forensic accountants and business valuation experts to protect our clients' interests effectively.

Yes, provided it meets New York's requirements — including that it be in writing, signed before a notary, and entered into voluntarily by both parties without duress. We draft prenuptial agreements specifically designed to withstand legal scrutiny and reflect your precise circumstances.

A will is an important starting point, but a comprehensive estate plan is more than a will. For individuals with significant assets, a complete plan typically includes trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and careful beneficiary designation review — all coordinated to minimize taxes, avoid probate where appropriate, and reflect your precise wishes for how your estate is managed and distributed.

A revocable trust can be modified or revoked by the grantor during their lifetime and provides probate avoidance and privacy benefits but limited asset protection. An irrevocable trust generally cannot be modified once established, but offers stronger asset protection, potential tax benefits, and Medicaid planning advantages. Many clients benefit from a combination of both, depending on their goals.

We recommend reviewing your estate plan after any major life event — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets or beneficiaries, or a move to another state. At minimum, review your plan every three to five years. Laws change, circumstances change, and your plan should reflect both.

New York's intestacy laws determine how your estate is distributed — which may not align with your wishes. Without a will, you cannot designate who raises your minor children, who administers your estate, or how your personal property is distributed. For parents especially, having a will in place is critically important.

Guardianship in New York is established through a court proceeding. A petition is filed, the court appoints an evaluator to assess the alleged incapacitated person, and a hearing is held before a judge. The process can take several months. We guide families through each step with clarity and sensitivity, making a complex and often emotional process as manageable as possible.

Often, yes. A well-drafted durable power of attorney and healthcare proxy can allow a trusted person to manage financial and medical decisions without court-appointed guardianship. Advance planning is almost always less expensive, faster, and far less stressful than a guardianship proceeding. We strongly recommend addressing this before a crisis arises.