Family Lawyers for Professional Athletes in New York City

Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP offers skilled guidance to professional athletes and their families in New York and New Jersey. They provide discreet, smart, and informed representation to professionals in the sports industry. When representing athletes in family law matters the attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP often work with other professionals such as sports agents, financial advisors, private wealth attorneys, and business attorneys.

Partner Evan D. Schein focuses his practice extensively on representing athletes in family law matters. His previous work as a sports agent provides a unique and valuable blend of experience in the sports industry and family law which allows him to handle prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, and complex divorces for athletes.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for athletes

It is important for athletes to understand the importance of smart financial protection. The income and salary of an athlete can be substantial, but also fluctuate greatly from contract to contract. If an athlete is considering getting married, an athlete should work with a family law attorney to protect both contract and endorsement income and assets by way of a prenuptial agreement.

A seasoned family law attorney who understands the structure and complexity of sports contracts and the sports industry can help create and negotiate a prenuptial agreement to provide maximize protection for an athlete in the event of a divorce.

Discreet divorce representation for athletes

Athletes have a high-pressure, demanding and public career. Dealing with the emotions and stress involved in a divorce can affect an athlete’s personal and professional life. The experienced attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP know how to protect an athlete’s financial interests and privacy, even in the most complicated situations.

Protecting an athlete’s image and branding

One of the more unique aspects of working with an athlete and professionals in the sports industry is strategizing how best to protect an athlete’s image. This requires specialized attention in all matters, including legal issues.

Child custody agreements

Working with professional athletes require special considerations when determining child custody arrangements, as their work schedules and travel time may come into play during negotiations.

Determining child support

Calculating the income of a professional athlete can be a challenge, as there can be periods of high income followed by injuries, or early retirement or contracts that may include non-guaranteed or deferred income. Annual earnings may also vary greatly. Many athletes also bring in additional income through endorsements, marketing, and business investments. The attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein understand the complexities of an athlete’s finances.

Property and asset division in New York

With a large salary typically comes large amounts of property and assets. For professional athletes, in the event of a divorce, asset and property division can be extensive and contentious in the absence of a prenuptial agreement.

Our experienced family law attorneys understand the complexities of an athlete’s contract both from playing and from marketing and endorsements as well an athlete’s diverse financial portfolio which may include businesses, investments and real estate.

Spousal maintenance and alimony

For the purposes of calculating support, the attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein know how to handle the complexities involving a professional athlete’s compensation structure and the unique financial circumstances that come along with the variable income of a professional athlete.

How our attorneys can help

Whether it is a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, divorce or other family law matter, the attorneys at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein, LLP understand the sports industry and combine this knowledge with their expertise in family law. When an athlete comes into a significant amount of wealth in a relatively short period and at a young age and a need arises for a prenuptial agreement before marriage, a postnuptial agreement during marriage, or to protect the accumulated wealth and assets in the event of a divorce, working with a family law attorney can help athlete’s avoid common pitfalls and protect their financial interests.