Law Office of Michael S. Paulonis
Compassionate and Tailored Legal Representation. "Built Around You"
From New York City to Franklin and Clinton counties, I've spent over 26 years supporting families with compassionate guidance, careful listening, and trusted advocacy - protecting clients rights in divorce, custody, child support, and mediation.
DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW, Franklin & Clinton, NY
Practice Areas
At Law Office of Michael S. Paulonis, we provide the following legal services.
DIVORCE
Contested and Uncontested
- Maintenance and Spousal Support
- Custody
- Child Support
- Orders of Protection
- Post Divorce-Judgment Motions
- Pet Custody
- Exclusive Use and Occupancy of Marital Residence
- Settlement Agreements
CUSTODY
- Visitation/Parenting Time
- Modification of Custody
- Enforcement and Violation
- Orders of Protection
- Grandparent Rights
- Parenting Plan/Schedule
CHILD SUPPORT
- Paternity
- Child Support
- Modification of Child Support
- Enforcement and Violation
MEDIATION
Mediation offers a confidential, cooperative way to resolve disputes while saving time, reducing stress, and avoiding the uncertainty and cost of litigation.
Our experienced mediators are trained to guide you through the process, helping both parties communicate openly, explore creative solutions, and reach mutually beneficial agreements. Whether you’re facing divorce, custody issues, or other family law conflicts, mediation can help preserve relationships and focus on what matters most, your family’s future.
PRE/POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract created before marriage that outlines how assets, debts, and other financial matters will be handled if the marriage ends in divorce or death.
Postnuptial Agreements
A postnuptial agreement serves the same purpose as a prenuptial agreement, but it is created after the marriage has already taken place. Couples often choose this option when circumstances change such as a new business venture, significant inheritance, or financial shift and they want to protect their interests moving forward.
DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW Lawyer
About Law Office of Michael S. Paulonis
At the Law Office of Michael S. Paulonis, the focus is on providing clients with personal, dedicated service. Clients receive more than legal representation — they receive guidance, understanding, and support during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Michael primarily works with clients in Franklin and Clinton Counties, where he has built strong ties to the courts and communities he serves. Unlike larger firms where cases may be passed between a rotating cast of attorneys and paralegals, here our attorneys work on your matter together from start to finish. This hand-on approach ensures that no detail is overlooked and that your questions are answered with care and clarity.
What makes this practice unique is Michael’s approach: he wants clients to feel like they are talking to family about their problems, not like they are sitting stiffly across from a lawyer. He takes the time to listen carefully, learn your story, and understand your perspective so that he can be your strongest voice in court and in negotiation. His blend of courtroom experience, practical problem-solving, and compassion allows him to guide clients toward favorable results while keeping stress and conflict to a minimum.
The firm is structured to keep the process straightforward and client-centered. Every document is carefully prepared, every deadline is tracked, and every decision is guided by Michael’s experience and commitment to your best interests. The mission is simple: to provide strategic, dedicated, and personal representation that puts clients first. Here, you are never just another case file - you are a person with a story that matters.
Call Mike today at: (518) 481-0565
DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW Legal Team
Meet the team
At the Law Office of Michael S. Paulonis, you're supported by a team with over 59 years of combined legal experience — all working together on your behalf.
Rooted in New York City and Northern New York, the team listens closely, understands your story, and serves as the voice that represents you with skill, strategy, and compassion. Whatever the challenge, you have a team of experienced attorneys thinking through your case together, not just one person carrying the load alone.
Michael S. Paulonis
Principal Attorney
With more than 26 years of experience practicing Family Law throughout New York City and Northern New York, Michael S. Paulonis brings seasoned legal judgment and deep regional insight to every case. He has represented clients in a wide range of family law matters, including contested and uncontested divorce, custody and visitation, child and spousal support, equitable distribution, and family offense proceedings. When you choose this firm, you will work directly with Michael at every stage of your case. Michael likes working directly with clients to ensure that no detail is overlooked and to understand his clients’ stories and perspectives, whose voices he represents. His extensive courtroom experience, combined with a practical and empathetic approach to conflict resolution, has made him a trusted advocate for clients navigating emotionally and legally complex situations, like high conflict Divorce and Custody cases. Having practiced extensively in both urban and rural court systems across the state, Michael offers a unique perspective on the nuances of family law practice in diverse jurisdictions. He is known for his strategic thinking, clear communication, and unwavering dedication to achieving favorable outcomes while minimizing unnecessary conflict and costs. Michael earned his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and is admitted to practice in the State of New York, as well as the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. He remains actively engaged in developments in family law and is committed to serving the evolving legal needs of families throughout New York.
Wendy Hernandez
Of Counsel
Wendy Hernandez serves as Of Counsel to the firm. She is also the Founder of NY Family Law Firm, a respected practice dedicated to guiding New York families through life’s most challenging legal matters. With over 19 years of experience, Wendy has represented clients in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx with a rare combination of legal skill, compassion, and cultural understanding. Devoted exclusively to Family Law, Wendy handles matters involving divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, and equitable distribution of marital property. She is also a skilled mediator, helping parties reach informed, joint decisions so they can maintain control over the outcome instead of leaving it entirely in the court’s hands. Her mediation work focuses on creating fair, lasting agreements that protect privacy, reduce conflict, and support more amicable resolutions—especially important where children are involved. Fluent in Spanish, Wendy is deeply committed to serving New York’s diverse communities. She ensures that Spanish-speaking clients fully understand their rights, their options, and each step of the legal process, empowering them to make confident, informed decisions at every stage of their case. Known for her strategic advocacy and empathetic approach, she blends nearly two decades of courtroom experience with a strong belief in resolution-focused solutions. Whether zealously advocating in court or facilitating a constructive mediation session, her goal is always the same: to protect her clients’ interests and help them move forward with dignity and confidence. Wendy earned her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and is admitted to practice in the States of New York and New Jersey, as well as the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of New York and the District of New Jersey. She is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, New York City Bar Association, Brooklyn Bar Association, Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County, and the Hispanic National Bar Association. Beyond her legal work, Wendy is passionate about community service, regularly volunteering at local food banks and preparing meals for families at Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Christopher J. Fleury
Of Counsel
Christopher J. Fleury serves Of Counsel to the firm. With over 14 years of experience, Christopher brings a diverse background in government litigation, criminal defense, family law, appellate advocacy, and education to the firm. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Fleury served as an Assistant Attorney General with the New York State Office of the Attorney General, representing state agencies and employees in civil litigation involving constitutional claims, Article 78 proceedings, mental hygiene proceedings, regulatory matters, and consumer protection enforcement, gaining extensive experience in legal research, motion practice, and appellate advocacy — skills that translate directly to representing clients in custody, divorce, and family court proceedings. That experience extended to Franklin County, where Mr. Fleury served as an Assistant Public Defender, representing clients in criminal and family court matters throughout Northern New York, as well as an appellate attorney handling Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income appeals. Outside the courtroom, he pursued a longtime goal of becoming an educator, helping develop and teach a specialized program for students with special needs through Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES — work that deepened his understanding of child development and family dynamics, and sharpened the communication and problem-solving skills he now brings to clients facing custody disputes, divorce, and other family law matters. Mr. Fleury earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Hofstra University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Politics, summa cum laude, from SUNY Potsdam. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and before the Appellate Division, Third Department.
Get in touch with
Law Office of Michael S. Paulonis
Call us
(518) 481-0565
Location
77 Brinkerhoff Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
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