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.

• Car Accidents

• Free Consultation

New York

Since 1997

Head of Law Office

Stephen Bilkis & Associates

Current

Touro Law School

10.0 Rating

Justia

AFL-CIO Union Privilege Legal Plan

Plan Administrator

Current

American Prepaid Legal Institute

Member

Current

New York State Trial Lawyers

Member

Current

New York State Bar  # 2842938

Member

1997 - Current

Union Plus Benefits for AFL-CIO Union Members Newsletter

Union Plus

Union Plus, AFL-CIO Legal Benefits Conference, Washington, DC

AFL-CIO

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

Accepted Member

Writers Guild of America East

Q. Seeking legal advice on missing inherited jewelry valued over $175,000 and potential civil recovery in NY.

June 19, 2025

A: I understand how upsetting it must be to discover that valuable inherited jewelry is missing, especially when it carries deep personal meaning. You are right to seek guidance on your legal options in New York.

In cases involving missing personal property such as jewelry, one potential legal claim is conversion. Conversion occurs when someone wrongfully takes or retains property that belongs to another. Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR § 214\[3]), the statute of limitations for a conversion claim is three years from the date of the wrongful act. If your ex-wife refused to return the jewelry or you discovered it missing in 2018 when she left the home, that may have triggered the limitations period. However, if there is evidence that she concealed the jewelry’s disappearance, or you only discovered the full extent of the issue later, you may be able to argue for tolling. That means the three-year clock might not have started until a later date.

Filing a police report can help establish that the jewelry was taken without your consent. It may also lead to an investigation and help support a civil lawsuit. Make sure to document everything, including any conversations, written messages, or witnesses who can confirm that the jewelry was in her possession. Affidavits from relatives, photographs of the jewelry, and any appraisals can also be helpful in proving ownership and value.

You can consider filing a civil lawsuit against your ex-wife for conversion or unjust enrichment. If your sister received or helped dispose of any of the jewelry, you may also have a claim against her. However, if it has been more than three years since you discovered the loss, the court may find that the statute of limitations bars your claim. This is why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

You should contact a New York attorney experienced in civil litigation and property disputes. They can evaluate your case in detail and determine whether you still have a valid claim and how best to proceed.

This response is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified attorney who can evaluate your specific facts and guide you through your options. ... Read More

Q. Forged signature and mortgage by husband in Tamil Nadu; repayment required?

June 19, 2025

A: It is deeply concerning to learn that your signature may have been forged to take out a mortgage in your name without your knowledge or consent. Under New York law, forged signatures on financial documents, including mortgage agreements, are considered legally invalid. A mortgage agreement must be based on informed and voluntary consent. If your husband forged your signature to obtain a loan or extend a mortgage on property that you own, you have the right to challenge that mortgage.

Is the property located in New York or in Tamil Nadu? This will determine which legal system governs the matter. If the property is in Tamil Nadu, Indian law would apply, and you would need to consult a qualified attorney in that jurisdiction. However, if the property is in New York and the mortgage was obtained through a forged signature, you may be able to pursue several remedies.

You can file a civil lawsuit in New York Supreme Court to challenge the validity of the mortgage and seek to have it declared void due to forgery. If you can prove that you did not sign the mortgage documents and that they were forged, the court may rule in your favor. You should gather all relevant documents, including the original loan documents you did authorize, and any paperwork related to the forged mortgage. A handwriting expert may also be useful if the case requires proving the forgery.

You should also notify the lender of the forgery and provide any evidence you have that supports your claim. Lenders may conduct their own investigation and, depending on the findings, may agree to release the mortgage. However, if they do not, litigation may be necessary.

Importantly, you are not legally required to repay a loan or mortgage that was obtained through forgery and without your consent. However, acting quickly is important to prevent further legal or financial complications, such as foreclosure proceedings.

Given the complexity of this situation and the potential for both civil and criminal issues, you should consult with a New York attorney experienced in real estate fraud and matrimonial law. If the property is in India, you should speak with a lawyer in Tamil Nadu who can help you navigate the local laws.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your specific situation. ... Read More

Q. How to file a Request for Judicial Intervention in a personal injury case in Kings County?

June 18, 2025

A: Filing a Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) in Kings County Supreme Court can be confusing, especially without legal representation. The RJI is a necessary step in moving your personal injury case forward, particularly after the defendant has answered your complaint. Once filed, the case is assigned to a judge, and court supervision begins.

In Kings County, RJIs must be filed electronically through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system if your case is in the e-file program. If you are receiving error messages when trying to submit the RJI, make sure you are using an updated browser and that pop-up blockers are disabled. The message you received, “Check box below to continue,” may relate to an overlooked affirmation or certification box on the page, which is required before proceeding. If the issue persists, call the NYSCEF help desk at 646-386-3033 for assistance.

The RJI must be filed with the appropriate filing fee, currently $95, unless you have been granted a fee waiver. Along with the RJI, you may need to file a related document such as a preliminary conference request (if discovery is needed), a motion, or a compliance conference request depending on the stage of your case. If you are unsure what the court meant by “something else,” it is possible they referred to the preliminary conference request form (Form 840), which is often submitted at the same time as the RJI in personal injury cases.

You generally do not need to serve the RJI with a process server. Filing it with the court and uploading it through NYSCEF typically satisfies procedural requirements. However, you must serve any accompanying motion or conference request on all parties in the case, and proof of service should be filed.

If you are self-represented, you may visit the Kings County Supreme Court’s Help Center located at 360 Adams Street in Brooklyn, Room 122C. Staff there can provide guidance on procedures, forms, and navigating NYSCEF. Additionally, you may find forms and instructions on the court system’s website at www.nycourts.gov.

This response is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consider consulting with a New York attorney familiar with personal injury litigation in Kings County for personalized guidance. ... Read More

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