Allan E. Mayefsky
Allan E. Mayefsky
Founding Partner
mayefsky@amsllp.com(212) 521-3503↧ vCard

Allan graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1978 after receiving his B.A. degree summa cum laude from Cornell, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Lambda Phi. In more than 40 years as an attorney, Allan has had extensive trial experience, including successfully trying to conclusion some of the largest equitable distribution cases in New York.

Allan is a past President of the New York Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and served as counsel to the AAML. He is also a member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New York State Bar Association (Executive Committee of the Family Law Section) and the American Bar Association. He also is a past member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation and served as counsel to the Foundation as well. Allan served as a member of the Matrimonial Commission that was appointed by Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye to study matrimonial law reform. The Commission’s findings were reported in February 2006 and were the basis for improving litigation in both Family Court and the Supreme Court. Allan has lectured and written on numerous topics in the area of family law.

Allan has also been appointed on several occasions by the New York State Supreme Court to conduct neutral evaluations of cases in an effort to reach settlement and he has conducted mediations for that purpose at the request of litigants. He has also been appointed to act as discovery master in complex financial cases. Allan and his wife, Debra live in Battery Park City in Manhattan.

In addition to being the managing partner of the firm, Allan also serves as the firm’s General Counsel.

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Admitted

1986 - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

1983 - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

1979 - New York State

1979 - U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York

Education

1978 - Harvard Law School, J.D., Cum Laude

1975 - Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences, B.A., Summa Cum Laude, Government and Economics, Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Lambda Phi

  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky

Lectures

Allan is a past President of the New York Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and served as counsel to the AAML. He is also a member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New York State Bar Association (Executive Committee of the Family Law Section) and the American Bar Association. He also is a past member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation and served as counsel to the Foundation as well. Allan served as a member of the Matrimonial Commission that was appointed by Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye to study matrimonial law reform. The Commission’s findings were reported in February 2006 and were the basis for improving litigation in both Family Court and the Supreme Court. Allan has lectured and written on numerous topics in the area of family law.

Allan has also been appointed on several occasions by the New York State Supreme Court to conduct neutral evaluations of cases in an effort to reach settlement and he has conducted mediations for that purpose at the request of litigants. He has also been appointed to act as discovery master in complex financial cases. Allan and his wife, Debra live in Battery Park City in Manhattan.

In addition to being the managing partner of the firm, Allan also serves as the firm’s General Counsel.

  • A general overview of equitable distribution in New York State.
  • Trial presentation of support issues in high income cases.
  • Enhanced earning capacity as an asset to be valued in equitable distribution cases.
  • Discovery, valuation and trial issues with respect to cash businesses.
  • Use of tax returns in matrimonial actions.
  • Overview of the New York Family Court Act.
  • Equitable distribution in high net worth cases.
  • Equitable distribution: equal and unequal distribution
  • Drafting separation and prenuptial agreements.
  • Separate property issues in equitable distribution cases.
  • Cross-Examination: Selected Problems – Some Easy Rules That Are Not So Easy to Apply

    “Cross-Examination: Selected Problems – Some Easy Rules That Are Not So Easy to Apply”

    Sponsor: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)

  • Matrimonial Law: A Case Law Update

    “Matrimonial Law: A Case Law Update”

    Sponsor: Supreme Court Appellate Division First Department

  • Matrimonial and Family Law: The Changing Economy and Critical Issues – What You Need to Know: Drafting for Bankruptcy Considerations

    “Matrimonial and Family Law: The Changing Economy and Critical Issues – What You Need to Know: Drafting for Bankruptcy Considerations”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • How to Litigate a Child Custody Case

    ”How to Litigate a Child Custody Case”

    Sponsor: New York County Lawyers

  • Drafting Custody and Visitation Provisions

    “Drafting Custody and Visitation Provisions”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Matrimonial Case Law Update: A Review of Developing Issues in Matrimonial Law

    “Matrimonial Case Law Update: A Review of Developing Issues in Matrimonial Law”

    Sponsor: Supreme Court Appellate Division First Department

  • The United States Supreme Court’s Troxel Decision and its Impact on Non-Parental Visitation

    “The United States Supreme Court’s Troxel Decision and its Impact on Non-Parental Visitation”

    Sponsor: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)

  • Handling Your First Contested Divorce Case

    “Handling Your First Contested Divorce Case”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Recognizing Estate Planning and Real Estate Issues in Matrimonial Matters

    “Recognizing Estate Planning and Real Estate Issues in Matrimonial Matters”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Selected Recurring Issues in Matrimonial Practice: Successfully Handling the Challenges

    “Selected Recurring Issues in Matrimonial Practice: Successfully Handling the Challenges”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • The Expanding World of the Matrimonial Lawyer: New Cases, New Procedures and New Areas of Law: Discovery

    “The Expanding World of the Matrimonial Lawyer: New Cases, New Procedures and New Areas of Law: Discovery”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Handling A Child Custody Case: Intake to Trial

    “Handling A Child Custody Case: Intake to Trial”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Matrimonial and Family Law Update: “Double Dipping” When a Professional License/Practice is in the Case

    “Matrimonial and Family Law Update: “Double Dipping” When a Professional License/Practice is in the Case”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Practical Skills Seminar: Basic Matrimonial Practice

    “Practical Skills Seminar: Basic Matrimonial Practice”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Presenting Valuation Evidence At Trial and For Appeal

    “Presenting Valuation Evidence At Trial and For Appeal”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Show Me the Money: Discovery and Treatment of Hidden Assets

    “Show Me the Money: Discovery and Treatment of Hidden Assets”

    Sponsor: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)

  • The ABCs of Drafting Prenuptial Agreements and Other Matrimonial Agreements

    “The ABCs of Drafting Prenuptial Agreements and Other Matrimonial Agreements”

    Sponsor: New York State Bar Association

  • Understanding Child Support and Custody: Significant Decisions Under the CSSA

    “Understanding Child Support and Custody: Significant Decisions Under the CSSA”

    Sponsor: Practicing Law Institute

  • The Construction of a Prenuptial Agreement

    “The Construction of a Prenuptial Agreement”

    Sponsor: Association of the Bar of the City of New York

    Mr. Aronson has also lectured on the following topics:

    The Rules, Procedures, and Techniques of Matrimonial Motion Practice
    Matrimonial Agreements and Tax Aspects of Maintenance, Support, and Property Distribution
    Litigating Maintenance and Child Support in High Income Cases; Direct Testimony of Mothers and Fathers
    Custody: Litigation’s Stepchild; How to make a record for both the Trial Court and the Appellate Court
    Tax Returns and Net Worth Statements
  • Presenting Valuation Evidence At Trial and For Appeal

    “Presenting Valuation Evidence At Trial and For Appeal”

    Location: New York State Bar Association

    Guest Lecturer: David Aronson

  • Show Me the Money: Discovery and Treatment of Hidden Assets

    “Show Me the Money: Discovery and Treatment of Hidden Assets”

    Location:  American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)

    Guest Lecturer: David Aronson

  • The ABCs of Drafting Prenuptial Agreements and Other Matrimonial Agreements

    “The ABCs of Drafting Prenuptial Agreements and Other Matrimonial Agreements”

    Location: New York State Bar Association

    Guest Lecturer: David Aronson

  • Understanding Child Support and Custody: Significant Decisions Under the CSSA

    “Understanding Child Support and Custody: Significant Decisions Under the CSSA”

    Location: Practicing Law Institute

    Guest Lecturer: David Aronson

  • The Construction of a Prenuptial Agreement

    “The Construction of a Prenuptial Agreement”

    Location: Association of the Bar of the City of New York

    Guest Lecturer: David Aronson

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Publications

  • Allan E. Mayefsky

    Temporary Maintenance Statute in Practice

    “Temporary Maintenance Statute in Practice”

    Publication: New York Law Journal, Volume 247

    Published by: New York State Bar Association

    Publication Date: May 2, 2012

    Authored By: Allan E. Mayefsky

    “When determining what is unjust and inappropriate, courts, tasked with considering 17 factors, have various interpretations. In J.V. v. G.V., 11 the Supreme Court of Nassau County concluded that the presumptive award was unjust and inappropriate and reduced it by one-half, even though the payor husband earned in excess of $500,000. The facts of that case were somewhat unique.”

  • Allan E. Mayefsky

    Determining Whether ‘No-Fault’ Law Allows Trials When Parties Disagree

    "Determining Whether 'No-Fault' Law Allows Trials When Parties Disagree"

    Publication: New York Law Journal Volume 246 No. 41

    Published by:  New York State Bar Association

    Publication Date: August 29, 2011

    Journalist: [name, title]

    Authored by Allan E. Mayefsky

    “Although rejecting the husband’s arguments that the wife had not pled with enough specificity or that her claim was barred by the statute of limitations, the court carefully examined the substantive issue presented, namely “whether [the wife’s] unilateral statement under oath is irrefutable, as [the wife] suggests, or if [the husband] is to be afforded the same procedural and substantive due process as is available for any other cause of action in our jurisprudence.”

  • Allan E. Mayefsky

    Understanding New York’s O’Brien Decision and its Progeny

    "Understanding New York's O'Brien Decision and its Progeny"

    Publication Date: 2010

    Authored by: Peter R. Stambleck and Allan E. Mayefsky

    “Since a person cannot be separated from his or her human capital (i.e. a person’s attainment of knowledge and skill, etc.) the way one can be separated from financial or other tangible assets, and given that human capital is not readily quantifiable, the courts are left in the unenviable position of adjudicating how to account for the attainment of human capital during a marriage.”

  • Allan E. Mayefsky

    Setting Valuation Dates for Marital Property In Global Economic Crisis

    "Setting Valuation Dates for Marital Property In Global Economic Crisis"

    Publication:  New York Law Journal, Volume 242, No. 73.

    Published by:  New York State Bar Association

    Publication Date: October 14, 2009

    Author: Allan E. Mayefsky

    “After Wegman, trial and appellate courts, perhaps in an effort to create consistency and order, began categorizing assets as either “active” or “passive” and setting valuation dates based on this categorization-most often a date of commencement of the action for “active” assets, whose values are affected by the active participation of the title spouse, and a date of trial for “passive” assets, whose values are affected by outside influences such as inflation or market forces.”

  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky

  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky
  • Allan E. Mayefsky

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