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. How to add deceased father's name to PR birth certificate when parents are deceased?

May 29, 2025

A: It can be difficult to navigate changes to official documents when both parents are deceased, especially across jurisdictions. In your case, adding your deceased father’s name to your Puerto Rican birth certificate may still be possible, but it typically involves a legal process through the courts in Puerto Rico.

In Puerto Rico, changes to a birth certificate are governed by the Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Registry under the Department of Health. When a parent is deceased and cannot provide consent to amend the birth certificate, you may need to file a petition for judicial recognition of paternity in the Puerto Rico Court of First Instance. This type of petition asks the court to legally recognize your deceased father as your parent so his name can be added to your birth certificate.

To initiate this process, you or your representative (such as a relative or attorney licensed in Puerto Rico) will need to provide documentation to the court that supports the claimed paternity. This could include your father’s death certificate, your own birth records, affidavits from family members, DNA test results from paternal relatives, or any other evidence that shows a parental relationship. The court has discretion to consider this evidence and determine whether to grant the order to amend your birth certificate.

Once the court grants the petition and issues an order recognizing your father as your legal parent, you can submit this order to the Puerto Rico Demographic Registry to request the change. If accepted, they will update your birth certificate to include your father’s name.

Because this process must be handled under Puerto Rican law and before Puerto Rican courts, you will need to work with a licensed attorney in Puerto Rico who can file the petition and represent you in court. Even though you live in New York, the jurisdiction over your birth certificate remains with the government of Puerto Rico.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified attorney licensed in Puerto Rico who has experience with family law and vital records amendments. ... Read More

Q. What legal actions can I take to stop daily stalking and damages to my property?

May 25, 2025

A: Being subjected to daily stalking and property damage is distressing, and you have the right to take legal steps to protect your safety and your property. In New York, stalking is a criminal offense under Penal Law § 120.45 through § 120.60, with varying degrees based on the severity and context of the conduct. The behavior you described may qualify as stalking in the third or fourth degree, particularly if it involves repeated following, surveillance, or causing property damage.

You should begin by continuing to document everything. Save all photos of the damage, take notes on the dates and times of incidents, and record any suspicious behavior or interactions. This documentation can help support both criminal complaints and civil claims. If you believe your neighbor is involved, try to record patterns of behavior, though do so lawfully and without violating privacy laws.

Even if the police have not yet been able to catch the stalkers in the act, you should make a formal written report with your local precinct. Insist that an incident report be filed and request a copy for your records. Repeated reports help establish a pattern that law enforcement may take more seriously over time.

You may also seek a civil order of protection from the court under New York’s Family Court Act or the Criminal Procedure Law, depending on your relationship to the alleged harasser. If you do not share a family or intimate relationship with the person, you may still apply for a restraining order in criminal court if charges are filed, or seek an order under the general jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in a civil case.

Additionally, you could consider bringing a civil lawsuit for property damage, harassment, or intentional infliction of emotional distress if you can gather enough evidence to connect the conduct to a specific person. Installing security cameras that cover your property, particularly your driveway or entry points, could also help capture future incidents.

It is advisable to consult with a New York attorney who handles harassment, civil litigation, or criminal law matters. They can help assess whether you have grounds for an order of protection, guide you through the court process, and assist with reporting the conduct to the appropriate authorities.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York. ... Read More

Q. First DWI in NY with .15 BAC. Chances of charge reduction?

May 25, 2025

A: Facing a first-time DWI charge in New York with a reported BAC of 0.15% can be stressful, and it's understandable to have questions about what might happen in court. In New York, a BAC of 0.15% typically results in a misdemeanor DWI charge under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192(2) or § 1192(3). These charges carry potential penalties that may include fines, a license suspension, a mandatory drinking driver program, and the possibility of a criminal record.

Whether the charge can be reduced to a non-criminal offense such as driving while ability impaired (DWAI) under VTL § 1192(1) depends on several factors. DWAI is considered a traffic violation rather than a misdemeanor, and many first-time offenders aim to resolve their case with this reduced charge. However, your BAC reading is a key consideration. While some prosecutors may consider reductions for BAC levels under 0.13%, a BAC of 0.15% is above that threshold and may make a reduction more difficult to obtain, depending on the jurisdiction.

The absence of aggravating circumstances can help your position. Since there was no accident, no injuries, and no passengers, and if your driving record is otherwise clean, those facts may weigh in your favor. Additional positive steps such as voluntarily enrolling in an alcohol education course, seeking treatment, or showing efforts at rehabilitation may also help demonstrate to the prosecutor and judge that you are taking the charge seriously and are unlikely to reoffend.

It is also worth exploring whether there are any legal or procedural issues with your stop, arrest, or the administration of the chemical test. For instance, if the police did not have reasonable suspicion to stop you, or if the breath test was administered improperly, your attorney may be able to challenge the evidence or use those issues to negotiate a better outcome.

It is recommended that you speak with an experienced New York DWI defense attorney who regularly handles cases in the court where your matter is pending. They will be familiar with local plea practices and can provide a realistic assessment of whether a charge reduction is likely in your specific situation.

This response is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified DWI attorney licensed in New York. ... Read More

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