FAMILY LAW and MEDIATION
For more than twenty years, I have guided people through some of the most challenging and consequential moments of their lives—when children, homes, livelihoods, and long-term futures have been at stake.My practice has encompassed high-profile child custody litigation, divisions of vast marital estates, same-sex cases, mental health issues, grey divorces, international matters, and paternity disputes. Over my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most esteemed family law attorneys in New York.What has set my practice apart is my deep dedication to clients and the broad legal and life experiences that allow me to devise grounded, practical solutions and clearly assess the personalities, motivations, and legal rights involved.I have represented clients from all walks of life, including entrepreneurs, homemakers, academics, celebrities, real estate professionals, teachers, artists, and other attorneys facing their own family law issues. Their trust in me and later referrals have been a testament to the care and strategic clarity I bring to my cases.Current AvailabilityI am not accepting new clients at this time. I do, however, provide in-depth consultations and second opinions, offering candid analysis of legal issues, procedural considerations, and dispute resolution options tailored to each specific case.
I have handled an extensive range of family law matters/issues, including:Divorce
Child Custody and Visitation
Child Support
Spousal Support, Alimony, and Maintenance
Paternity Cases
Same-Sex Cases
Orders of Protection and Domestic Violence
Relocation
Hague Convention Cases (International Custody Cases)
Enforcement
Contempt Proceedings
Custody Modifications
Support Modifications
Parental Alienation
Cases Involving Addiction and Mental Health Issues
Prenuptial, Postnuptial, and Separation Agreements
AppealsI received my B.A., B.S., and J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.I am the co-author of “Mental Health Professional Testimony in Child Custody Cases”, published in The New York Law Journal on April 13, 2005. I am also the author of “Interim Counsel Fee Awards in Family Law Cases”, published in The New York Law Journal on March 4, 2014.
CONSULTATIONS & SECOND OPINIONSAlthough I am not accepting new clients at this time, I continue to offer flat-rate consultations and second opinions about family law matters. My consultations are designed to help you evaluate problems, solutions, risks, practical options, and next steps with clarity, before you take any action.To schedule a consultation, email [email protected].When Consultations Are Most UsefulConsultations are particularly helpful when you are:
• First deciding how to proceed with separation or litigation
• First served with legal papers by a spouse or co-parent
• Considering a change in counsel
• Evaluating strategy before a significant filing or court appearance
• Addressing enforcement or modification issuesCommon Early MistakesCertain early decisions in family law cases have outsized consequences that can end up being devastating and irreversible. The two most common early mistakes are taking legal steps based on advice received at free consultations and hiring an attorney without consulting with other attorneys. Another common early mistake is equating a lawyer’s confidence and optimism with competence or genuine client focus.Avoiding these errors as early as possible can materially affect how a case unfolds.A Note about Free ConsultationsIn family law, free consultations often signal an intake and onboarding business model rather than an advice-driven practice focused on helping clients understand options and set expectations. Because family law attorneys are compensated based on time and are potentially liable for the advice they give, experienced practitioners rarely provide substantive legal analysis without charge. While free consultations are normal and to be expected in certain fields of law, free consultations from family law attorneys should generally be approached with caution.Few decisions are more damaging to a case than selecting a charming attorney who tells potential clients at free consultations what they want to hear, only to later change their tune after failing to deliver the promised results.When the interests at stake are important, avoiding irreversible errors matters far more than minimizing one-time consultation expenses. Paying for advice from several seasoned attorneys who will spend the time necessary to understand your situation and provide tailored advice is a critical first step.Second OpinionsWhether you are first hiring an attorney or considering a change in counsel, seeking the advice of multiple attorneys is one of the most effective ways to protect your interests.A second opinion is a consultation with a new attorney about a case that has already been started or handled by another attorney. Second opinions focus on goals, priorities, procedural considerations, any court rulings that have already been made, and the validity of the legal strategy being pursued.Second opinions can help identify and address:
• Strategic blind spots
• Risks and rewards
• Factual or legal setbacks
• Alternative procedural steps
• Trial Strategies
• Overlooked paths to settlementAs a general rule, legal advice is most valuable before options narrow and positions harden. Therefore, the earlier a second opinion is sought, the more effective it can be.After working with challenging family law cases for over two decades, I firmly believe anyone litigating a difficult or drawn-out family law case should seek out multiple professional perspectives. Although there is a cost involved, it is minimal compared to the costs of proceeding in the wrong direction with the wrong guidance.To schedule a consultation or second opinion, email [email protected].
The Law Office of Raunak Kothari
353 Lexington Avenue, Suite 400
New York, New York 10016
646-450-5009
[email protected]