Stephen Bilkis

Stephen Bilkis graduated from Touro Law School in 1997. Soon after he passed the bar exam of New York and established the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates. In over 20 years of practice, Mr. Bilkis has successfully represented scores of clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island, and Staten Island in matters related to personal injury, probate law, criminal law, and family law.

Mr. Bilkis strongly believes that each client is unique and each case is different. His solutions are never “one size fits all.” He prides himself on listening to his clients, reviewing all facets of each case, and using his deep knowledge of New York law to come up with individualized solutions for each client.

Stephen Bilkis has been a member of various national and local bar organizations and associations including the New York State Bar Association, American Prepaid Legal Institute, the American Association for Justice, AARP Legal Services Network, and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Stephen Bilkis and the staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have well-earned reputations as knowledgeable and effective attorneys who fight for their clients’ legal rights. Because of this, the firm, its attorneys, and some of their notable cases or clients, in whole or in part, have been mentioned on several media outlets including CNN, CBS, CNBC, and ABC New York, as well as in the New York Times, New York Post and Newsday.

Touro Law School

Head of Law Office

Stephen Bilkis & Associates

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Gave yearly talks about employment benefit packages to the AFL-CIO Union leaders and members

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AFL-CIO Union Privilege Legal Plan

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New York State Trial Lawyers

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New York State Bar  # 2842938

Member

1997 - Current

New York

Since 1997

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Q. Do I need to share evidence with my ex's lawyer in a child custody case?

July 10, 2025

A: I'm sorry you're navigating this custody case without legal representation. Handling legal requests from an opposing attorney can feel intimidating, especially when you're trying to protect yourself and your child.

In New York custody cases, both parties are generally required to exchange relevant information and evidence through a process called discovery. This allows each side to prepare for court by reviewing documents, witness lists, and other materials that may be used at trial. When your ex’s attorney sends you a formal request for evidence, such as a notice for discovery and inspection or a demand for documents, it is usually part of this process.

Even though you are not represented by counsel, you are still expected to comply with valid discovery requests. If the request is clear and asks for text messages that you plan to use in court, you are likely obligated to provide copies. Failure to share evidence in advance could result in the judge limiting your ability to present those messages at trial. Courts prefer that both sides have access to the same information to ensure a fair process.

That said, you should only share copies of the actual evidence requested. You are not required to explain or argue your case when producing documents. If the request was vague or if you're unsure whether it was properly served, you can respond in writing and ask for clarification. You may also want to retain copies of everything you provide, and consider organizing the text messages by date or topic to make them easier to understand.

You are also free to bring the same evidence to court and submit it at the hearing. The judge may ask whether you shared it with the other side, and having done so will reflect positively on your cooperation.

If possible, consider reaching out to a legal aid organization or family court help center for assistance. Even a brief consultation can help you protect your rights and meet your obligations.

This response is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified New York family attorney to address the specifics of your case. ... Read More

Q. Can I be sued for posting a censored screenshot of a group member's post?

July 10, 2025

A: I'm sorry you are facing this stressful situation. Dealing with legal threats over something you shared online can be confusing and unsettling, especially when you believed you acted responsibly.

In New York, someone may attempt to bring a civil lawsuit for defamation, invasion of privacy, or related claims based on online posts. However, the success of such a claim depends heavily on the facts and how the law applies to them. From your description, it appears that you took steps to protect the individual’s identity by censoring their name, profile picture, and face photo. If those efforts were sufficient to prevent others from reasonably identifying the person, it may be difficult for them to succeed on any privacy or defamation claims.

For a defamation claim to be viable in New York, the plaintiff must prove that you made a false statement of fact about them, that the statement was published to a third party, that it caused harm to their reputation, and that you were at fault in making it. If you simply stated your opinion about their lack of participation in a group project, and others could not identify who you were referring to, the statement may be protected as opinion rather than actionable defamation. Truth is also a defense to defamation, so if the person did not contribute to the project, your statement might be considered a fair comment.

As for invasion of privacy, New York does not recognize a broad common law right to privacy. The state’s privacy law, Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51, focuses on the unauthorized use of a person’s name or likeness for advertising or trade purposes. Since you censored identifying information and did not use the image for commercial gain, it is unlikely this law applies.

That said, if someone feels wronged, they may still attempt to file a lawsuit, even if the claim lacks merit. If that happens, you should consult an attorney immediately to evaluate the specific facts and prepare a defense.

This response is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice. You should speak with a qualified attorney to discuss your individual situation. ... Read More

Q. Can a grandparent sue for guardianship after caring for granddaughter for 3 years without parental support?

July 9, 2025

A: I understand how upsetting it can be to feel cut off from a grandchild you have helped raise, especially after stepping in when others were unable or unwilling to provide care. Your question raises important issues about guardianship and the rights of non-parents in New York.

In New York, a grandparent may petition for guardianship of a child under certain circumstances. The court will consider whether there are “extraordinary circumstances” that justify removing custody from a parent. Courts generally favor the rights of biological parents, but they will intervene when a parent has relinquished care and control of a child for a significant time or when the child would be at risk if returned to the parent.

In your situation, you indicate that your granddaughter lived with you for three years without support from either parent. That history may be viewed as significant, especially if you can demonstrate that you were the child's primary caregiver and provided for her needs without assistance. While the court has recently granted the father residential custody, you may still have a basis to petition for guardianship if you believe it would be in the child's best interest and if you can show that the prior arrangement with you provided greater stability.

To proceed, you would need to file a guardianship petition in Family Court or Surrogate’s Court in the county where the child resides. The petition should detail your caregiving role, the lack of parental support, and your concerns about the father's conduct, including efforts to limit visitation. The court will evaluate whether granting you guardianship would promote the child’s welfare, taking into account her relationship with you, her emotional needs, and the environment provided by her father.

It is also possible to petition for visitation under New York’s grandparent visitation statute, particularly if there is an established and beneficial relationship that is being disrupted. However, seeking guardianship is a more significant step and requires stronger proof.

You may want to speak with a family law attorney who has experience in non-parent custody cases. Documenting your role as the primary caregiver and any harmful changes since the custody order will be important.

This response is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should consult a New York family law attorney to discuss your specific case. ... Read More