Appeals Law
Most legal actions, including those for dissolution of marriage, are finished once a judge has signed the final written judgment. But either party to a family law action-and sometimes both parties-may be unhappy with the result. A "notice of appeal" invites the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court to review a trial result "de novo," re-examining the same evidence upon which the trial judge ruled, possibly to substitute a different result. The appeal must be initiated within thirty days of the entry of judgment. Then, costs will be secured, testimony transcribed and exhibits made available. As with other legal actions, settlement remains an option at every step of an appeal.
Much of the legal work is done as the attorneys "brief" the case, which is presenting arguments in written form; then the attorneys for each party will argue the case orally to a panel of appellate judges. Gevurtz Menashe attorneys have extensive experience counseling clients at all stages of the appellate process. A representative sample of cases handled by the firm's attorneys can be viewed here.
