YEAR IN REVIEW FAMILY COURT Our Family Court Program litigated nearly 2,000 cases in Onondaga County Family Court this year and secured highly beneficial outcomes for hundreds of families. For example, one parent was reunited with children who had been wrongfully withheld by the other for years. Our team of attorneys and staff gathered and presented law enforcement, school, child protective and mental health information to the court that resulted in a decision awarding this parent full custody; requiring the offending parent to get treatment; and granting an order of protection. In another case, we were able to help keep a family together, rather than face a placement of their child in foster care due to the parents’ struggle with addiction. We helped to identify and locate a relative who was willing to offer housing and other support. The court was willing to allow the child and mother to stay together while living with the relative. We assisted another client with leaving the state to accept a job with much higher pay. We were able to show the court that the non-custodial parent had not been exercising court ordered parenting time; was an untreated drug addict; and had no stable residence for visitation. The visitation provisions were modified and our client was able to improve the quality of life for the children by accepting the new job out of state. CIVIL A single mother, targeted by her employer, was summarily dismissed from her teaching position while terms of her employment were being discussed. She was left without income or employment, and in desperate need of assistance. Our extensive representation in an Unemployment Insurance Benefit hearing resulted in a restoration of income, and a personal vindication for our client. Domestic violence and a brain tumor left our client shaken and frightened. She feared for her son and herself. Our attorney was able to secure a divorce, custody and ample support for our client, allowing her to face her struggles with security and confidence. A client who sustained unexpected financial hardship and a medical condition that left her with severe anxiety suddenly faced the loss of her home through foreclosure. Unable to navigate the court process alone, she came to the Hiscock Legal Aid Society Foreclosure Prevention Project. Our attorney engaged in extensive negotiations with the bank and other creditors. The resulting success included the client’s mortgage reinstatement and reduction of other debt, so that the client can remain at home and afford to keep it. 12
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