Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in New York since: 2008
Education: Tulane University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2013 - 2017 Details
Morghan Richardson is a partner and co-chair of the Matrimonial & Family Law Practice at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP, in New York, New York, bringing a comprehensive approach to her work as a litigator, consultant and mediator. Her commitment to her clients is evident as she navigates complex family law issues with sensitivity and discretion, representing high net worth individuals, celebrities and innovators. Her practice covers a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, custody disputes, alimony and LGBTQ+ family law litigation.
Ms. Richardson leverages her commercial litigation background to guide clients through challenging situations, ensuring their interests are protected. Her proficiency in handling intricate cases involving prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, orders of protection, and parental coordination is well-regarded.
An active contributor to the legal community, Ms. Richardson serves on the executive board of the Women in Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Her peers value her insights on marital property division and asset protection, and she frequently shares her knowledge through CLE presentations. As an adjunct professor at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, she educates future lawyers on contemporary family law issues.
Ms. Richardson also endeavors to change perceptions around divorce through her blog, The Divorce Artist, and her contributions to media outlets such as HuffPost and The Good Men Project. Her viral social media presence and articles aim to destigmatize divorce and provide support to those undergoing family transitions. Her accolades include receiving recognition as one of the Top 40 Family Lawyers Under 40 by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Her involvement in organizations such as the Women in the Law Section of the NYSBA, and the Queens County Women’s Bar Association demonstrates her commitment to empowering women in law.
Educated at Florida Atlantic University and Tulane Law School, Ms. Richardson’s dedication to her field is unwavering. Respected by her colleagues and clients alike, she continues to advocate passionately for justice and fairness in family law.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Father's Rights, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 2005, Maryland
Professional Webpage: https://www.tarterkrinsky.com/morghan-richardson
Bar / Professional Activity
- Adjunct Law Professor at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, 2021
- Mediator, Nassau County Supreme Court's Roster of Matrimonial Mediators, 2021
- Mediator, Kings County Supreme Court's Roster of Matrimonial Mediators, 2021
- Mediator, New York County Court's Roster of Matrimonial Mediators, 2020
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- Member, New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, 2010 - Present
- President's Citation, Maryland Bar Foundation, 2007
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- Member, Queens County Bar Association, 2012 - Present
- Member, Maryland State Bar Association, 2005 - Present
- U.S. District Court District of Maryland
- Maryland, 2005
- Chair, June 2026, New York State Bar Association, Women in the Law Section (Member, 2013 - Executive Board member, 2017 - Present)., 2026
- Member, New York State Bar Association, 2008 - Present
- District of Columbia, 2006
- New York, 2008
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- People v Muhammed 2009 NY Slip Op 05269 [63 AD3d 617] June 25, 2009 Appellate Division, First Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. As corrected through Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Videos
- Why get a prenup? A typical prenup sets out what is viewed as marital property and what will remain separate property. It addresses who gets financial support and how much. In this short Vlog I talk about reasons why to get a prenup, reasons why prenups can be overturned, and some interesting things you might want to put in your agreement, Prenup Season is Here!, Family Law, Prenups, Relationships, 2019
- Basics of custody determinations, Let's Talk About Custody, Family Law, Prenups, Relationships, 2019
- Emma Johnson, blogger and financial reporter, talks to the lawyers at Richardson Legal PLLC about our practice and our top three tips when looking for a divorce firm in this post originally featured on We Heart Astoria (dot) com, Three things to look for in a divorce attorney, 2013
Representative Clients
- Michael Wainstein, in his divorce from Real Housewives of New York star Julianne Wainstein.
- Complex case involving cryptocurrency assets, including a cryptocurrency business/exchange, active nodes, and coin distributions in a divorce action, 2024
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Mediator, Kings County Supreme Court's Roster of Matrimonial Mediators, 2021
- Mediator, New York County Court's Roster of Matrimonial Mediators., 2020
- Certificate in Basic Training for Divorce Mediation from the Center for Mediation and Training, New York, NY, 2010
- QDROs and Pensions: Advanced Training in Divorce Mediation with the Center for Mediation and Training, New York, NY, 2013
Pro bono / Community Service
- Handled pro bono divorce matters for the Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project, 2024
- Service on the board for nonprofit Lawyer Moms of America, a nonprofit volunteer organization aimed at pressing immigration reform to prevent child/family separation at the borders, 2018
- 2001 Investigative Reporting - Second Place, The Associated Press Managing Editors Association of Texas, 2001
Educational Background
- Florida Atlantic University, B.A., 1999
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Divorce Law continuing legal education presentation teaching other attorneys NY divorce law, CLE Presentation and Lecture, Divorce 101, Marino CLE, Family Law, Prenups, Relationships, 2019
- Overview on the use of ADR in matrimonial and family law disputes. Attorneys and litigants must come to understand that courthouse life in the post-pandemic world will only serve to exacerbate the problems of our historically overburdened matrimonial parts. Our distinguished panel will encourage matrimonial practitioners to refocus the direction of matrimonial litigation by fast-tracking their cases through ADR. NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) is an accredited provider of CLE credit in New York, approved for traditional live-classroom format, as well as webinars. This course is approved for experienced and newly admitted attorneys., Panelist, ADR in Divorce: Fast-Tracking Resolutions (Presented by National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM), CLE, Divorce, Mediation, 2020
- NYSBA's annual CLE for the Women in the Law section. Served as co-chair for creating the event; moderated the event and the panel on in-house counsel and diversity, Moderator, NYSBA Women on the Move CLE, New York State Bar Association, Family Law, Prenups, Relationships, Women In The Law, 2018
- Gentlemen, let me confirm what you have long suspected: if you are the primary income earner in your family, particularly where your wife has stayed at home, be prepared to pay in your divorce. For the most part, laws have consistently leaned towards protecting women who do not work, who set aside careers (or never start one) and raise children. These laws favor the idea that there is an inherent value in raising children and tending to the family. As society changes in the workforce and in our expectations of parental duties, men can still be caught off-guard by somewhat antiquated laws that are slower and more resistant to change. So what you have long suspected is generally true: "It is cheaper to keep her.", Author, Gentlemen: It Is "Cheaper to Keep Her", The Huffington Post, 2013
- In this piece we explore five ways that divorce mediation can help resolve the get crisis., Co-Author, 5 Ways That Divorce Mediation Can Help Resolve the 'Get' Crisis, Mediate.com, 2014
- Anne’s ex-husband was an obsessive, controlling and verbally abusive police officer. He drank. He cheated. And when Anne protested, he threatened to use his job to take custody of their preschool-aged kids and make her life a living hell. He also threatened to use his position as the sole bread-winner to hire the best lawyer and steam-roll over her in court. Yet, rather than feeling trapped and overwhelmed, Anne seized control of the situation – by taking control of her finances., Author, True story: How to squirrel away $5,000 to get out of a horrible marriage (and get the kids, house and alimony), Bankruptcy in New Jersey, 2013
- Good listening skills aren't just important to relationships. They can also keep you out of jail. I see it all the time: guys are dumbfounded that their wives take drastic measures to get their attention when they want a divorce. But it's no surprise to me. Aside from being a woman and a divorce lawyer, I was also a "mean girl" in high school. I know how they operate. Here's a few simple things to understand how your wife operates too., Author, Top 3 Tips To Avoid a "Mean Girl" Style Divorce, The Huffington Post, 2013
- Every married woman needs at least $5,000 in a bank account in her own name – no matter what her husband thinks. But should your account indeed be a “divorce slush fund”? Maybe. I don’t need to throw a bunch of grim divorce rate statistics at you. If you live in this world, you already know. So let’s get real: An account held jointly in both spouses’ names can be accessed by either person. If your husband drains the account, a judge may require he pay you back some of it. But that can take months or even years. What will you do until then? How do you hire a lawyer to make him pay it back? How do you pay your bills and feed your kids? He may not pay child support or alimony unless that same judge requires him to do so – again, this takes time. How will you make it?, Author, Every woman needs $5,000 in her own account – even if it’s a secret, Wealthy Single Mommy, 2012
- The Notice Pleading Restoration Act's attempt to reverse 'Twombly' and 'Iqbal' pleading standards. Twombly and Iqbal marked a significant change in the way federal courts evaluate motions to dismiss made under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). In direct response to Twombly and Iqbal, Sen. Arlen Specter, D.-Pa., introduced the Notice Pleading Restoration Act of 2009 (S. 1504). The bill seeks to reverse Twombly and Iqbal in favor of a return to the dismissal standard set by Conley, and in effect lower the pleading bar that Twombly and Iqbal have raised., Co-Author, "Lowering the Raised Bar," (The Notice Pleading Restoration Act’s attempt to reverse ‘Twombly’ and ‘Iqbal’ pleading standards), Law.com, 2009
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Kings County Supreme Court's Roster of Matrimonial Mediators, 2021
- Mediator, New York County Court's Roster of Matrimonial Mediators., 2020
Honors
- Crain's New York Business's 2023 list of Notable Women in Law recognizes leading female attorneys in New York who are furthering justice and keeping the cogs of commerce spinning. The 100 honorees are raising the bar of excellence in a range of legal arenas, from labor and employment to real estate and intellectual property. As a partner and co-chair of the matrimonial and family law practice at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, Morghan Richardson acts as litigator, consultant and mediator to her clients in all aspects of divorce and family issues, including custody matters, alimony, collaborative divorce, orders of protection, access and visitation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and separation agreements. She is also a professor at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where she teaches and mentors the next generation of lawyers about divorce law and modern family law issues. Richardson served on the executive board for New York State Bar Association’s women in law section for over ten years, 2023 Notable Women in Law, Crain's New York Business, 2023
- American Society of Legal Advocates, Top 40 Family Lawyer Under 40
- Power Women of Queens Award
- Super Lawyers New York’s Rising Stars, 2013-2019
- New York Metro Super Lawyer, 2020-2024
- Designated by Lawyers of Distinction for Family and Divorce Law, Family and Divorce Law, Lawyers of Distinction, 2019
- Award for pro bono work on a contested adoption case in Maryland, President's Citation, Maryland Bar Foundation, 2007
- Award for outstanding commitment to pro bono case involving a contested adoption., Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Spriggs & Hollingsworth LLP, 2006
- Journalism award for investigative reporting on a suspicious and botched adoption in Galveston County, Texas., Investigative Reporting, Second Place, The Associated Press Managing Editors Association of Texas, 2001
Industry Groups
- Divorce
Selections
6 Years Super Lawyers
5 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2013 - 2017
Additional sources of information about Morghan Richardson
"Ask a Lawyer" answers provided by Morghan Richardson
- Q: Do I need to hire an attorney for my divorce in New York?
A: Generally, most people are not familiar enough with the divorce process to handle their own case ("pro se" without a lawyer). There are a number of … - Q: Is there a specific type of divorce lawyer to have when your spouse is self-employed and hides money?
A: In general, any skilled divorce attorney who is familiar with self-employed workers can help you in the discovery process (the process of looking …
