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 College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center

J.D.

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. Is sharing personal info without consent in a chat room illegal?

August 19, 2025

A: I am sorry you are experiencing this situation. Having your personal information shared without your consent and then facing threats and financial harm can be frightening and overwhelming. New York law does provide protections when private information is disclosed in a way that causes harm, intimidation, or leads to criminal activity.

In New York, the act of sharing someone’s personal information without consent may not always be a criminal offense by itself. However, depending on the type of information shared and the impact, several legal issues may apply. If the person shared sensitive financial information that led to unauthorized bank charges, that may constitute identity theft under New York Penal Law Article 190. Identity theft in the third degree, for example, occurs when someone knowingly uses another person’s identifying information to obtain goods, services, or money. This is a criminal offense.

Additionally, if threats were made as a result of the disclosure, this could rise to harassment or aggravated harassment under Penal Law §§ 240.25 and 240.30. Aggravated harassment includes communicating threats with the intent to alarm or seriously annoy another person, especially through electronic means. If you are receiving threats online, this may provide grounds for criminal charges and possibly for obtaining an order of protection.

From a civil perspective, if the disclosure involved private facts not of legitimate public concern, you may have a claim for invasion of privacy or intentional infliction of emotional distress, though New York’s privacy laws are more limited than in some other states. However, if the information shared led directly to identity theft or financial losses, you may pursue a civil claim for damages in addition to reporting the criminal conduct.

Your immediate steps should be to document everything. Save copies of the chat room messages, the threats, and your bank statements showing unauthorized charges. Report the unauthorized charges to your bank right away and consider filing a police report both for the threats and the suspected identity theft. You can also consult with an attorney to discuss whether a civil claim is appropriate based on the harm you have suffered.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Because every situation depends on its specific facts, you should consult with an experienced New York attorney who can provide guidance tailored to your circumstances. ... Read More

Q. How to handle a mutual harassment case that might go to court in New York?

August 19, 2025

A: I understand how upsetting it must feel to have a personal dispute escalate to the point where it affects not only your relationship but also your reputation and daily interactions. When harassment is mutual, and especially when it involves people who once had a personal relationship, it can be emotionally charged and may also carry legal consequences under New York law.

In New York, harassment can be charged under Penal Law § 240.25 (harassment in the first degree) or § 240.26 (harassment in the second degree), depending on the severity of the behavior. Harassment generally involves repeated acts intended to annoy, alarm, or seriously disrupt another person. Even insults and online posts, if they cross into threats or persistent unwanted communication, can potentially lead to charges. Because both parties engaged in this conduct, the situation could be considered “mutual harassment,” and there is a possibility that either or both of you could face legal action.

If the case goes to court, the first step would likely involve an appearance before a criminal court judge if charges are filed. In some situations, the other person may file for an order of protection in Family Court or Criminal Court. If you are served with such an order, you must strictly comply with its terms, even if you feel the order is unfair. Violating an order of protection in New York carries serious penalties, including potential arrest.

Before the matter escalates further, you should begin documenting your interactions. Save copies of messages, posts, emails, or any other communications. Do not delete or alter content, since original records are often needed in court. At the same time, it is generally wise to stop engaging with the other party. Continued communication can be used against you and may worsen your legal position.

If charges are filed against both of you, the court may consider the evidence on each side and could decide to dismiss the case if it appears to be mutual, or could proceed against one or both parties. Having legal counsel represent you is important because an attorney can argue for dismissal, negotiate a favorable resolution, or defend you if the case proceeds to trial.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court procedures vary, and the specific details of your situation may change the legal analysis. For advice tailored to your circumstances, you should consult with an experienced New York criminal defense attorney. ... Read More

Q. How to enforce a NYC child support order from NJ?

August 12, 2025

A: I understand how stressful it can be when a parent is not receiving the child support payments ordered by the court, especially when you are caring for your child and trying to manage expenses. In New York, when a child support order is issued by a New York City Family Court, enforcement is generally handled through the New York City Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) if you choose not to transfer the case to another state.

Because your order was issued in NYC, you can request enforcement directly with OCSS. They have authority to take a variety of enforcement actions against a non-paying parent, including income garnishment, tax refund intercepts, suspension of driver’s and professional licenses, and seizure of bank accounts. To start enforcement, you can contact OCSS and provide a copy of the court order along with proof of missed payments. In your case, you would not need to re-litigate the amount of support since there have been no changes in financial circumstances; you are only seeking enforcement.

You do not necessarily have to appear in person to initiate enforcement. New York City allows parents to start the process online or by phone through the NYC HRA Office of Child Support Services website, which includes forms and instructions for submitting enforcement requests. However, depending on the specifics of your case, OCSS may require original documents or notarized statements, which could mean mailing materials or making an in-person visit if identity verification or sworn statements are needed. If there is any dispute about arrears or if OCSS needs additional orders from the court, you may be scheduled for a court appearance in Family Court, either in person or virtually.

If the other parent still does not comply even after OCSS enforcement, you can file a violation petition in the same Family Court that issued the order. A violation proceeding can result in money judgments for arrears and, in extreme cases, jail time for willful nonpayment. This petition can be filed through the NYC Family Court online portal, by mail, or in person.

This information is for general legal education and is not a substitute for personalized legal advice. Laws and court procedures can change, and the specifics of your case may require a different approach. You should consider consulting a New York family law attorney or contacting OCSS directly to confirm the best steps for your situation. ... Read More

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