Author: Morghan

Morghan Richardson is a family and divorce attorney and mediator in New York City. Her firm is Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP.

Serving Divorce Papers by Email, Text, or Facebook? Yes: It’s a Thing.

Welcome to divorce in the digital age.

When people think of being served divorce papers, they often picture the dramatic movie version: someone in a hoodie jumping out of the bushes and slapping papers into your hand with a smug “You’ve been served!”

But in 2025, service of process has evolved, and in many cases, it’s gone digital.

In New York and other states, the law traditionally requires personal service of a divorce summons, meaning a third party must hand the papers directly to your spouse. This officially notifies them that the divorce has been filed and gives the court jurisdiction to move the case forward.

But what happens when your spouse can’t be found… or simply refuses to cooperate?

Continue reading “Serving Divorce Papers by Email, Text, or Facebook? Yes: It’s a Thing.” →

When Divorce and Mental Health Collide: Why Treatment Plans Matter in Family Law

Celebrity divorces tend to dominate headlines for all the wrong reasons: scandals, breakdowns, and drama. But behind every headline is a lesson for family lawyers, judges, and parents navigating the hardest chapter of their lives. The unfolding saga of Kelley and Scott Wolf is one of those moments.

In August 2025, Kelley Wolf was arrested in Utah and charged with electronic harassment and doxxing, after allegedly posting her estranged husband Scott Wolf’s personal information online, as reported by many media outlets. The court’s response was swift: Kelley was ordered to stay at least 300 feet away from Scott and their three children, banned from contacting them, and required to undergo court-ordered psychological and medical treatment.

This wasn’t just about punishment. It was about protection, stability, and creating a path forward in a case where the children’s well-being was on the line.

Let’s discuss how these issues are treated by the courts:

Continue reading “When Divorce and Mental Health Collide: Why Treatment Plans Matter in Family Law” →

You Don’t Need a Shark. You Need a Strategist. (And a Not-Average Lawyer.)

You Don’t Need a Shark. You Need a Strategist. (And a Not-Average Lawyer.)

Why “Get Me a Shark” Backfires

When people hear “divorce attorney,” they picture someone cold, combative, and eager to bill by the hour. That’s not me.

I’m Morghan Richardson, a Manhattan divorce lawyer who believes the work is as human as it is legal. I’ll protect your rights with every tool in the toolbox—but I’ll also translate strategy into plain English, keep you grounded when the room is spinning, and help you make moves you’ll be proud of five years from now.

A lot of folks start the attorney search with the same request: “I want a shark.” It feels logical when you’re scared or furious. But here’s the problem with sharks:

Continue reading “You Don’t Need a Shark. You Need a Strategist. (And a Not-Average Lawyer.)” →

The Myth of 50/50: How Divorce Courts Shortchange Stay-at-Home Parents

The Myth of 50/50: How Divorce Courts Shortchange Stay-at-Home Parents

On paper, “splitting everything 50/50” sounds fair. Equal shares, equal rights, clean break. But here’s the ugly truth: a 50/50 split often leaves stay-at-home parents at a massive disadvantage.

Why? Because money in divorce isn’t just about the snapshot of today’s bank balance. It’s about how those numbers got there, and where they’re headed.

Within the last few years, a Spanish court awarded €204,624.86 (approx. $215,664 USD) plus a €500/month annuity to a homemaker for 25 years of exclusive domestic labor, breaking new legal ground in recognizing that such unpaid labor entitles financial compensation, even under a separation-of-property marriage regime.

This discussion should be required reading for any spouse or parent thinking of “staying home” or stepping back from their career during a marriage. Here in New York, there is very little return-on-investment for that sacrifice, and a court isn’t going to compensate for the lost time and future career setbacks.

Continue reading “The Myth of 50/50: How Divorce Courts Shortchange Stay-at-Home Parents” →