UNMATCHED
The legal system does not do enough to protect this power so we answered the call. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping men and fathers stand strong against bias in divorce and family law matters, fight for their custodial rights and preserve the importance of fatherhood.
custodial fathers
Single mothers head up 80% of single-parent households leaving only 20% that are headed by fathers (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022)
homelessness
84% of homeless families are headed by women (ACOG, 2021). Fatherless families are four times more likely to raise children in poverty (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020)
behavioral disorders
63% of youth suicides and 85% of children who exhibit behavioral disorders are from fatherless homes (U.S. DOJ Office of Justice programs, 1998).
substance abuse
75% of adolescent patients in substance abuse centers are from fatherless homes (U.S. DOJ Office of Justice programs, 1998).
school dropouts
71% of high school dropouts are from fatherless homes (U.S. DOJ Office of Justice programs, 1998).
crime
70% of youth in state-operated facilities were from single-parent homes (Beck, Kline, Greenfeld, 1987).
Relationships and marriages don’t always last. It’s ok to get it wrong, it’s ok to break up and it’s ok to move on. This is how life goes sometimes. However, when a relationship brings a child into this world, that child needs love, affection, care, wisdom and upbringing of both parents. Being a father does not stop when a relationship is over. In fact, children whose parents are not living together need to see and feel that they are loved and supported by both parents even more than kids with parents living together. We advocate in court for every father who is willing and able to be there for their children.
- Fathers love their children as much as mothers do.
- Fathers and infants can be equally as attached as mothers and infants. When both parents are involved with the child, infants are attached to both parents from the beginning of life.
- Father involvement using authoritative parenting (loving and with clear boundaries and expectations) leads to better emotional, academic, social, and behavioral outcomes for children.
- The quality of the father-child relationship matters more than the specific amount of hours spent together. Non-resident fathers can have positive effects on children’s social and emotional well-being, as well as academic achievement and behavioral adjustment.
- Father involvement is related to positive child health outcomes in infants, such as improved weight gain in preterm infants and improved breastfeeding rates.
- Fathers’ rough-and-tumble play aids development.
- Fathers occupy a critical role in child development. Father absence hinders development from early infancy through childhood and into adulthood. The psychological harm of father absence experienced during childhood persists throughout the life course.
- High levels of father involvement are correlated with higher levels of sociability, confidence, and self-control in children. Children with involved fathers are less likely to act out in school or engage in risky behaviors in adolescence.
01.
every child needs to have a father figure
A father will make a key difference in the life of a child. Dads who are allowed to be more involved in their child’s life will, in turn, raise sons who go on to be dads who are more active in their own children’s lives. In other words, the current relationship is impacting the future ones.
02.
time spent with a child is critically important
Children who spend more time with their dads are less likely to commit crimes, use government assistance programs, and smoke and use drugs. They are more likely to finish high school and college and be contributing members of society when they become adults.
03.
parenting schedule should start at 50/50
Every conversation regarding a parenting schedule or system should start with a presumption that the time with the child should be shared equally between Mom and Dad regardless of the child’s age. It’s always in the best interest of a child to have meaningful time with both parents.
04.
fathers have the same rights as mothers
If a father is able and willing to parent his child, he should be afforded the same rights and opportunities to do so as the mother. The ability to take care or raise a child should never be based on sex, gender or any other factor that is not directly related to the individual parenting skills and abilities of a person.
what we do
who we are
val kleyman, esq.
Val Kleyman is the founder and owner of FathersRightsLawyer.com and a practicing New York divorce and family law attorney at the head of the Kleyman Domestic Relations Law Firm. Nationally ranked among the top attorneys in his region, as well as the entire country, Mr. Kleyman devotes his practice exclusively to family law, and he provides unmatched representation and support to clients throughout New York City and beyond who are going through a divorce or have other serious legal issues affecting their families. He is a zealous advocate for fathers’ rights and has vast experience representing men in difficult and complex divorce and custody proceedings. He is a frequent speaker and presenter in the media on the issues of family law.
I’m a family attorney. But first, I’m a father. I know the importance of a role I play in the lives of my own kids and the difference I make. This is why I zealously advocate for other fathers and their children.
jessica zelenka, ESQ.
Jesscia Zelenka received her Bachelors degree in Criminology, with a minor in Forensics and Law and Legal Studies from West Virginia University in 2017. While receiving her J.D., she focused her studies on family law and doing clinic work with survivors of domestic violence in the greater Boston area.
Jessica worked as a public interest attorney at the Center for Family Representation. She tirelessly represented and defended fathers in F.C.A. Article 10 proceedings, utilizing a team model with social workers and advocates to reunify families. Jessica is a zealous advocate works closely with her clients through a variety of difficult divorce situations especially those situation that involve children. Ms. Zelenka also works with difficult cases involving domestic violence and orders of protection.
After spending years as an attorney in the public sector working with domestic violence and children, I learned that having a present and able father figure is a critical factor in the life of a child. This is is why I’m a strong advocate for fathers’ rights.
richard Arce, esq.
Richard Arce has been a matrimonial and family law attorney for over a decade, practicing throughout New York City, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Westchester, Rockland and Orange Counties. Mr. Arce has gained a reputation as a fair, but firm advocate for men and fathers that always has their clients best interests in mind. He has extensive experience in all aspects of matrimonial and family law ranging from paternity proceedings to complex financial matters and everything in between. Mr. Arce has also conducted numerous custody and guardianship hearings and trials and has prevailed in a years-long custody matter in Family Court protecting the rights of a young father. Richard understands the mental and psychological toll divorce and custody matters can have on men and fathers from his personal life and has used that experience to ensure that his clients receives the best and honest counsel while they are navigating the dangerous waters of family law matters.
As an attorney, I have witnessed the difficulties and injustices in our legal system when it comes to the rights of men and fathers in divorce and family court matters. The road to truth and justice is not an easy one, but I will always choose this road for my clients because I know how important it’s to them and their families
AWARDS & Recognition
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Superlawyers
Super Lawyers Rising Stars Selection: Val Kleyman (2016-2017). Super Lawyer Selection: Val Kleyman (2020 – 2024). This rating of Top Rated Family Law Attorney in New York is awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys by Super Lawyers, a rating service that selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process.
The National Advocates
Val Kleyman was named one of the Top 30 Divorce Lawyers in New York City by the The National Advocates. Membership is extended solely to the select few of the most qualified lawyers who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile.
AVVO
Val Kleyman is rated “Superb”, 10 out of 10 for divorce and family law by Avvo.com. This top divorce lawyers in New York rating is awarded to attorneys with high level of satisfaction among past clients, as well as a seal of approval from other attorneys in the matrimonial law community.
martindale-hubbell
Val Kleyman is peer review rated for ethical standards and legal abilities by Martindale-Hubbell in the areas of divorce and family law in New York.
National Association Of Distinguished Counsel
Val Kleyman was named in “1% Of Attorneys In The Nation” in divorce and family law. Less than 1% of practicing attorneys in the United States are members of the “Nation’s Top Attorneys”. The recipients of this prestigious award is rated “Top Divorce Lawyer NYC” and have demonstrated the highest ideals of the legal profession.
lead counsel
Val Kleyman received “Lead Counsel” certification as best divorce lawyer NYC. Certification is awarded to attorneys that demonstrate significant legal experience, but must also receive multiple peer recommendations advocating his or her ability.
expertise.com
The Kleyman Law Firm was selected as on of the “Top Divorce Lawyers In New York City” by Expertise.com after analyzing credentials of 1,902 Divorce Lawyers serving New York City.
The elite lawyer
Val Kleyman has been selected as “Elite Lawyer” In New York for the areas of matrimonial and family law by the Elite Lawyer, a rating service which recognizes attorneys who exhibit the highest degree of client satisfaction in their field.
WHY CHOOSE US?
According to Val Kleyman, Fathers Rights Lawyer, up until about the 1980’s courts ruled that it was almost always in the best interest of the child to award custody to the mother. Today, there is no general presumption that the child should reside with either parent, but most find that courts are still biased.
According to Val Kleyman, Fathers Rights Lawyer, up until about the 1980’s courts ruled that it was almost always in the best interest of the child to award custody to the mother. Today, there is no general presumption that the child should reside with either parent, but most find that courts are still biased.