Peter J. Fiorella Jr. Esq.
In 1963, after graduating from the University at Buffalo Law School, Peter J. Fiorella, Jr. was appointed Deputy Clerk, Erie County Family Court (1963-1965). The individuals he met there would shape his career. Chief Judge of the Family Court Hon. Raymond R. Niemer, Hon. Leon W. Paxon, Hon. Madge Taggert, and the Chief Clerk of the Family Court, Frank J. Boccio, all were influential in helping to shape and guide his career.
In the 1960s (until September 1, 1967) the only ground for divorce in New York State was adultery. In 1967 the grounds for divorce were expanded to include mental cruelty (cruel and inhuman treatment), living apart pursuant to an agreement of separation for one or more years and abandonment for one year or more.
On July 19, 1980, New York State entered into the mainstream by allowing women for the first time to share in assets (property) in the husband’s name, including sharing in licenses, degrees, certifications, pensions, retirement funds, and business interests solely in the name of the husband. Over the past 30 years the courts have defined and clarified women’s rights in these areas through case law decisions.
On August 13, 2010, Gov. David A. Paterson signed into law reforms to the New York State’s outdated divorce laws. Click on this link to read the article published by The Buffalo News written by Mr. Fiorella. Buffalo News Divorce Law Article
Peter J. Fiorella, Jr. – for over 30 years – has been in the forefront of implementing these legal changes to allow women to share in marital assets and advance women’s rights to be treated as an equal in the marriage “partnership.” “The Divorce Handbook – For Women Only” for the first time provides a view into office policies and protocol created by Mr. Fiorella and composite stories of women who were able to participate in their divorces as “team members” and not just as clients.
