Joel H. Feldman, Robin I. Bresky and Jennifer Fulton
Joel H. Feldman, Family Law; Robin I. Bresky, Appellate Law; Jennifer Fulton, Wills — Estate Planning/Probate Administration
This past year has been a busy one for Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP (SSRGA) an appellate, family law and estate planning practice located in Boca Raton. Established May 15, 2022 from a merger between New York’s SSRGA and long-established, highly esteemed South Palm Beach County attorneys Robin I. Bresky, Joel H. Feldman and Jennifer Fulton, the new alliance presents an opportunity for the expanded firm to grow their common practice areas, work together to handle their clients’ needs and diversify into new areas, providing additional services to clients in both South Florida and New York. Major legislative changes in family law, SSRGA New York clients with interests in South Florida and the influx of people moving south since the pandemic have all contributed to the firm’s growing client roster.
“As of July 1, alimony until death is no longer the law,” offers Joel H. Feldman, partner Matrimonial, Family and Reproductive Law. “The new law allows for changes based on modification in income for both parties, along with life changes like retirement and other factors and also modifies the length of marriage for determination of alimony.”
Feldman continues, “Another major change that has gone into effect is in timesharing, which will now start with a presumption of 50/50. A parent seeking more time will need to justify their reasons with the court by establishing a number of statutory factors.”
Robin I. Bresky, Florida Managing Partner, handles civil and criminal appeals including personal injury, dissolution, probate and guardianship and all types of original proceedings in the appellate court. Bresky agrees with Feldman that the statutory changes will bring litigation. “With the new laws and the uncertainty surrounding them appellate cases in family law will certainly increase,” she says.
Bresky also foresees an expansion of corporate work and other litigation as the firm looks to expand into areas of HOA and condo law, health care law and other litigation areas to keep pace with South Florida’s changing landscape, as well as complementing the practice areas of the New York office.
According to Jennifer Fulton, who handles trusts and estates and probate administration for the firm, “We’re keeping an eye on the upcoming elections, and potential changes to tax laws set to expire in 2025.” She’s been busy with the large number of clients moving down from New York looking to implement estate plans involving Florida property. “Luckily, our practice areas are so synergistic we can really benefit our clients — it all goes hand in hand, from divorce to changes in estate planning,” says Fulton.
All three attorneys are passionate about what they do, working closely with their clients during often difficult times.
“Representing good people at the worst times of their lives, through divorce and death and helping people keep their children safe and happy is incredibly fulfilling,” offers Feldman.
Fulton is grateful to be able to help people plan so that things go more smoothly when death occurs — to provide people the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have taken care of their families. And as an appellate attorney, when the courts don’t get things right, Bresky finds it immensely rewarding to help restore people’s faith in the justice system when a decision gets reversed.
With the New York to Florida corridor so well-established, many firms have attempted to get a foothold into this potentially lucrative market. But SSRGA’s success is directly linked to the strong reputations of its South Florida partners whose expertise and integrity is well known and respected.
Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP, 2424 N. Federal Highway, Ste. 456, Boca Raton, 561-769-5600, ssrga.com
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