STF Legal Services
STF Legal Services
Shalom Task Force’s Legal Department provides free, confidential legal services to victim-survivors of domestic and dating abuse, specializing in the Jewish community. STF Legal Department empowers victim-survivors through comprehensive, culturally responsive, compassionate and effective legal assistance. They provide ongoing case assistance, extensive safety planning and referrals for social services, mental health, public benefits, tax support, housing and immigration. Attorneys also assist clients through the Beit Din Jewish court system.
STF Legal Department provides services to anyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or immigration status. STF Legal Department Staff can only advise on New York State Law.
OUR SERVICES
Orders of Protection
Safeguards from family, civil or criminal court for a victim-survivor and/or their children.
Immigration Relief
VAWA: For victim-survivors who are married to an abusive United States citizen or a greencard holder.
U-Visa: For victim-survivors who experienced a certain crime (including DV) who cooperated with law enforcement or pursued an Order of Protection in Family Court.
Divorce
The legal process of ending a marriage. Includes issues of custody/visitation, child and spousal support, equitable distribution of property and debt, and sometimes orders of protection. In New York this is filed in Supreme Court.
Spousal Support
A monthly payment from the spouse to help with financial support during or after the divorce.
Custody
Legal determination of where the children live and which parent makes decisions.
Visitation
How frequently and under what circumstance the noncustodial parent sees the children. This can include supervised visitation (there is high standard for the court ordering this).
Child Support
A monthly payment for a survivor’s child from the non-custodial parent – this may include tuition and medical expenses.
Rabbinical Court and Arbitration
Authority that upon parties’ consent can make decisions about a case, including, but not limited to, granting the get (religious divorce).