PRO

Licensed for 36 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Hauppauge, NY
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Uncontested Divorce, Child Custody ... +5 more

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Clifford

Biography

Matrimonial & Family Law | 30+ Years Experience to Guide You Through the Tough Choices

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 85%

contested, uncontested, equitable distribution, pendente lite, maintenance, child support, custody and visitation

35 years

85%

Uncontested Divorce 5%

Child Custody 3%

child custody and visitation, enforcement, modification, shared custody, grandparent rights, relocation

35 years

Family 3%

child custody, child support, paternity, order of protection, grandparent rights

35 years

Alimony 1%

Appeals 1%

matrimonial and family law appeals

32 years

Child Support 1%

child support establishment, enforcement, modification, arrears

34 years

Marriage and Prenuptials 1%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Payment Methods

Cash
Check
Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in New York for 36 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1990

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

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Location

Petroske Riezenman & Meyers, P.C.

1393 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 414N, Hauppauge, NY, 11788

petroskelaw.com

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Law Offices of Clifford J. Petroske

1055 Franklin Avenue, Suite 206, Garden City, NY, 11530

petroskelaw.com

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Gallery

Online Presence

Other places you can find Clifford online.

Clifford J. Petroske's Reviews

Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

4.7 /5.0

53 Client Reviews

Avvo

4.5

(46)

Lawyers.com

4.8

(7 )

See client reviews from Lawyers.com

Showing 41 - 45 of 46 reviews

Posted by Dom | July 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Good representation and well-staffed office

Cliff represented me for a continued period of 7 months and was pragmatic from the onset when discussing my case. He clearly outlined the risks and opportunities and made himself available when required. His experience and wisdom were definitely put at work. He showed his willingness and preparedness... to take my case to trial, although his team eventually was able to extract a settlement, which avoided a potentially protracted and painful litigation. I was pleased by the quality of the work provided by Cliff and his well-qualified team.

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Posted by MikeMcGuire | September 28, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

Do Not Hire

Before I posted this review I wrote an email on a few different occasions about not being pleased about the law firm. I did not receive a response from the owner cliff until today. Not a phone nothing I have been a client since October 2015. I first asked for a refund because the firm did not do the ...job I was told they would do. Cliffs response was this " Threatening that you will post negative reviews of my firm on social media unless I refund your fees by Tuesday is attempted grand larceny by extortion, a class E felony." Not one phone call to talk to the client. My first complaint was in December that the firm could not even mail the objection to a correct address. It caused a six month delay in my case. First back in November when I interviewed the firm to hire them they told me they can win. I said I won't go and purse a child support modification unless you can win. That would make no finical sense. Cliff sat next to me and said absolutely the magistrate is wrong we will win. Estimates $2500. The firm write up a few pages and the final bill came to $4116 what happened at the end. Child support stayed the same and I just paid 4116 to the attorney who threaten me with criminal charges for telling the truth. They said it was an easy case to win. So I hired them lost my case and not being threatened with criminal charges because I want a refund and tell other people to beware on how they treat clients? Wow shame on this firm to kick someone when they are down already.

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Clifford Petroske

Replied last September 28, 2016

Mike- I understand that you are angry with the judge’s decision, but I performed the services for which you hired me, and your review is unwarranted. You had a good case, but there were no guarantees. Despite our best efforts the judge did not agree to modify your child support obligation. During the course of our representation, while you expressed your dissatisfaction with the judicial process, you never complained about my work product. I acknowledge that my office made a mistake by sending a document to the wrong address. We apologized repeatedly at the time, and you were issued a credit for the cost of the services required to correct the mistake. This led to a three month delay in the resolution of your case (not six months), but it had no effect on the final result. Our fees are based on an hourly rate for services rendered, as is stated clearly in your written Retainer Agreement. Attorney rules prevent me from taking a child support case on a contingency basis– that is, while I work hard to get the best outcome for all of my clients, I cannot collect fees based on whether or not I “win” your case. Therefore, when you demanded that I issue you a full refund of over $4,000 or you would use your “freedom of social media,” I refused. I advised you of the definition of grand larceny by extortion, and that your proper recourse if you feel you are entitled to a refund is to submit your request to the Suffolk County Bar Association using the application that I provided to you. As I told you before, if the arbitration panel finds that you are entitled to a refund, I will issue it immediately.

Posted by Michael | July 29, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement

Clifford Petroske...Gorilla biller and poor representation

I retained the services of Clifford Petroske for the purpose of a downward modification. His firm filed my case in the wrong jurisdiction and then failed to meet prima facie. They billed me for it and then claimed they would redo it for free! Really, how kind to fix your mistake for free! Then th...ey gorilla billed through my retainer and failed to represent me in court, resulting in multiple adjournments and additional billing. He has hidden behind his standard agreement stating that a client has the right to arbitration, but if you are not an attorney what are you real chances? Anyhow, after three years I settled for an amount that I could have achieved pro se. Meaning I could have accomplished this without his terrible representation. He failed to show so often that the judge mandated that he appear regardless of my ability to pay him or not. In reality, his poor representation only served his billing purposes. I settled for an amount to this day that I cannot afford, he knew my circumstances and took my case with full understanding. He is now suing me for outrageous fees and services that were either not provided or poorly done. This man is notorious for gorilla billing tactics and poor work.

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Clifford Petroske

Replied last July 29, 2016

Michael, I was disheartened to learn for the first time, nearly five years after we successfully negotiated a downward modification of your child support obligation, that you were apparently unhappy with our legal services. The litigation did not last three years. You hired us in May, 2010, and by October, 2010 we had persuaded the court to temporarily lower your child support obligation while the petition was pending. The case was ultimately settled in November, 2011. Also, we did not fail to appear for numerous court appearances. The only time we did not appear was when you told the judge that you wanted to represent yourself. We subsequently appeared when directed to do so. Finally, your case was not filed in the wrong county. Under the Family Court Act, a petition can be filed in any county. We filed in Nassau County where you resided, for your convenience. The judge transferred the petition to the county in which you were divorced, which was the court’s prerogative. We were well prepared to prosecute your petition and, as a result, we were successful in negotiating a lower child support obligation for you. I have been quite understanding of your circumstances and have waited years for you to make some payment towards your outstanding balance, which you have failed to do. I felt I had no choice but to send your account to collections after you did not respond to our numerous efforts to amicably resolve the balance due. To post a negative review to avoid paying for services already provided, after you have reaped the benefit of those services for many years, is disingenuous, and has little to do with the quality of our work. If you would still like to work something out, please contact my office directly.

Posted by Craig | August 08, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

Far below zealous representation

Cliffs firm represented me on my divorce. Cliffs retainer agreement/ statement of clients rights says that I was entitled to zealous representation. I found Cliffs representation of me to be far below zealous. Divorce seems to be a lot of give and take. I seemed to only be asked to give in almost eve...ry circumstance. Opposing counsel was let to "run the show" and introduce things into the process that were never possible, with little objection from Cliff on my behalf. If you'd like to know what the law says Cliff is OK but if you want someone that can also make alternative arguments and not just open your mail for you find someone else.

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Clifford Petroske

Replied last August 08, 2014

I regret that the client was not satisfied with our services, and I disagree with his comments. My associates and I provide zealous representation to every client. When opposing counsel makes an application, we provide a zealous defense to protect the client’s interests. In doing so, settlement options are considered, especially if the adversary’s position appears so strong that there is considerable risk of losing in court. The evidence against the client must be weighed, as well as any input from the judge. If the risk of losing is great, the attorney’s job includes working to obtain a settlement in which other matters are resolved in the client’s favor. At no point is the adversary allowed to “run the show.” With regard to this client’s case, constraints against revealing client confidences prohibit me from disclosing the details of the favorable interim settlement obtained for him. It should also be mentioned that the client discontinued our services prior to the final resolution of his divorce, and we were therefore not afforded the opportunity to procure a final settlement or take his case to trial.

Posted by James | February 11, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

Attemted to audit my pension and have me pay 80 percent of the bill and other counsel 20,confidentiality?

I hired petroske after i fired my first lawyer who attempted to make a deal related to my divorce without getting full disclosure from my spouse first...Cliff and ryan were handling my case .One of cliffs first recommendations to me was to get a court order of protection against my wife..i declined,s...tating that is beneficial to you, not me as i would be required to go through lawyers to attempt any agreement..my wife had a court order of protection against me with false allegations that i intend to fight in court. I was able to sit down with my ex spouse to be to see what her plan of action was to be.As we did not have a written agreement i made an appt with petrofske of which he decided to talk for 1 hr for a 350.00 fee.during this meeting he brought up my pension,i waited till the end of his counsel and stated "i do not want my pension involved"he replied "I CANNOT HELP THAT" OR A PHRASE TO THAT AFFECT.What he and ryan attempted to do was audit my pension...When i found a letter to that affect i called his office on a friday..his secretary asked who i would like to speak to..ryan who came back to the office and then left did not respond to my concerns and neither did petrofske that friday..they attempted to have an outside firm audit my pension,while charging me 80 percent of the bill and my ex spouse to be,20 percent of the bill..once the other legal counsel pays a portion of the bill they are entitled to see the results... I gave complete full disclosure while petrofse was going to provide the other counsel information to my assets by having them pay 20 percent..i have a right to confidentiality and client attorney priveledge...as anyone who has paid a lawyer over $4000.00 to provide me with his legal counsel...this was not beneficial to me...nor imo was this ethical...On monday when i requested to stop petrofske from representing me, he apologized stating he made a mistake in informing his hired help to audit my pension... i hired him to provide me with complete full disclosure as the other lawyer failed to do.. he did the same though in addition attempted to provide my protected information to the other counsel..i would be wary of petroske's tactics as IMO he is either error prone or lacks ethics in dealing with his clients assets...

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Clifford Petroske

Replied last February 18, 2013

I can understand James’ disappointment at not being able to shield his pension from the equitable distribution of marital assets in his divorce. It certainly would be nice if everything that we came to believe belongs to us could somehow remain forever ours, free from the claims of wives and creditors. However, my job as an attorney sometimes involves telling clients things they do not want to hear when the law does not agree with their beliefs. In this way, a client can make informed decisions designed to better protect his or her assets and interests. It was in this vein that I explained to James that a pension, even a disability pension, can be marital property like any other asset. In his case, his disability pension clearly had a marital property component that would, if the case went to trial, be divided by the Court. I further explained to him, if he wanted me to negotiate a settlement to avoid an expensive trial (and he clearly did), that all relevant legal rights and obligations must be the subject of the negotiation, since a trial is more likely to be avoided if the deal approximates what the parties expect the Court would do at trial. One of the many rights and obligations in James’ case was his pension. His wife, through her attorney, made no secret that she expected to receive a portion of the pension, either by direct distribution, or by trading the value of the asset for some other asset. When I had finished explaining, for the second or third time, how his wife had a right to a portion of his pension if the case went to trial, so that I he had no choice but to somehow include the pension in any negotiation with his wife’s attorney, he again said he “did not want his pension involved” (or words to that effect). James says I responded by saying “I can’t help that” (or words to that effect). I have no reason to doubt that, since it is true. It also appears that James really has no reason to doubt my advice, or he would not have given me a 4 out of 5 rating for being knowledgeable in the law. James is disappointed with more than just the fact that his pension is a marital asset. He is disappointed because the informal deal he claims to have made directly with his wife when she was not represented by counsel — a deal which excluded his pension — was no longer “on the table” after she hired a lawyer and started a divorce action against him. At the preliminary conference, her attorney (with James’ wife seated next to him) insisted on claiming an interest in the pension. In my view, James’ reluctance to accept my advice resulted from his disbelief that his wife had changed her mind. James also wrongly accuses me of violating his alleged right to keep his financial information confidential. Here again, not liking what he heard, James insisted I must be wrong. However, there is simply no such thing as confidential financial information in a divorce. All documents pertaining to marital assets are required to be disclosed to the other side upon a proper demand being made. In his review, James does not specify the “protected information” he feels should not have been disclosed to his wife’s attorney. Possibly, he is referring to an actuary’s report on the value of the pension. However, such a report (which he wrongly calls an “audit”) was not performed, at least while I represented James. In any event, a report is not disclosure of information; it is an opinion of value that uses information. Such a report is not confidential– the opposing party always has a right to it in litigation – and since James’ wife required it before she would negotiate further, there was not much point in refusing. James has also falsely accused my office of not obtaining financial disclosure from his wife. In fact, we were successful in obtaining a Statement of Net Worth from his wife, which James' prior attorney had failed to do, and were awaiting responses to our further disclosure demands.

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Clifford J. Petroske's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Clifford

Ingrid Gherman

Family lawyer | Dec 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I am happy to endorse this lawyer. His answers to AVVO questions demonstrate his knowledge and dedication as a family law attorney"

Thomas Benigno

Divorce and separation lawyer | Nov 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly. His experience and courtroom savvy are invaluable to any prospective client needing representation in the area of matrimonial law or child custody."

Alexander Sklavos

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Cliff and I have had many cases over the years. I have always found him to be prepared, well reasoned and a fierce advocate for his clients."

Somair Alam

Child support lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Exceptional attorney, dedicated to client success. Highly recommended."

Michael Meyers

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 20

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Cliff is a profoundly remarkable attorney who balances zealous advocacy for each of his clients with a pragmatic approach toward settlement -- arts which are rare to find by themselves, never mind combined. Additionally, Cliff has a true passion for the law, as well as compassion for his clients. I highly endorse this lawyer."

Mario Cometti

Divorce and separation lawyer | Sep 18

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. attorney Petroske is highly respected in his legal community. His AVVO response are well thought out and informative."

Brad Margolis

Unknown lawyer | Dec 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Oct 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Penelope Blizzard-McGrath

Family lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Cliff is very experienced in family law. He will fight for his clients to the end using not only his expertise in the law, but his passion for helping his clients."

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Ryan Riezenman

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Jeffrey Spinner

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Penelope Blizzard-McGrath

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