KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com ****************************** comments on locksmith issues in common with alarm issues October 1, 2025 ******************** comments on locksmith issues in common with alarm issues ********************* Ken, I recently ran into this situation in Nassau county NY. My client is mid divorce and retaining possession of their home. She initially hired me for surveillance as she suspected her husband was coming into the home when she was away and installing spying/listening equipment. Later she requested me to replace her exterior locks with keypad/motorized deadbolts, and install the same on a few interior closet doors. She claimed she wasn’t restricting access to the property but she wanted to get notifications on her phone when her husband, kids, or realtor unlocked a door. As a NYS licensed security installer I never questioned whether or not I could legally change a lock. I would expect “locks” to fall under the category of “security.” I’ve certainly worked on plenty of access control systems which have “locks.” But knowing this client was not the only legal owner of the home, and was involved in some legal issues with the other owner, I wasn’t sure in this situation. Can you even change the lock without permission form all owners? Did the court require the wife to allow the husband access and if so could I be impeding that and how would I even know? Is any of this covered in my agreement with the client? Attempting to research the law, and then finding her jurisdiction required a locksmiths license anyway, I decided to simply pass the liability to a licensed professional - who I would also assume would be better resourced to determine the legalities! Surely the divorcee lock request is common. Needless to say I was never able to find a locksmith willing to work with me on such a small job in such a short amount of time. The client ended up having her handyman install it. Maybe I should just be a handyman, they don’t seem to need a license. Josh Freedman josh@smrtst.com 631.897.1078 www.smrtst.com *********************** Response *********************** Correct, Nassau County, NY is one of the few places where a locksmith license is needed. In other places a consumer affairs license might suffice. Like alarm companies asked to change codes or alarm systems to exclude a former spouse in the premises, locksmiths should avoid getting in the middle of the conflict. Of course you can obey court orders, but they are rarely directed specifically to the alarm dealer or locksmith. You can rely on an order that provides for exclusive occupancy to one party and excludes another. If it turns out that the "other" party is the one you have a contract with then you should terminate that contract before having a new contract signed by the party who will be occupying the premises. Any doubt what you should do? Call your attorney. Be a great idea to join the K&K Concierge Program before making that call. ************************** STANDARD FORM AGREEMENTS: To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com *************************** CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY - You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304. *********************** WEBINARS: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-webinars *********************** ALARM ARTICLES: You can always read our Articles on our website at www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles updated daily ******************** Wondering how much your alarm company is worth? Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth *********************** THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily ************************* PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-kirschenbaum-presents/id1794851477 ************************* Getting on our email list / Articles archived: Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list. Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up. ************************** Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC Attorneys at Law 200 Garden City Plaza Garden City, NY 11530 516 747 6700 x 301 ken@kirschenbaumesq.com www.KirschenbaumEsq.com
