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830 Post Road East, Suite 301 | Westport, Connecticut 06880
2435 Route 6, 2nd Floor | Brewster, New York 10509
Call For Consultation 203-557-9500845-860-0000
Divorce – NY

Divorce Lawyers in Brewster, New York Provide Trustworthy Advice to New York Clients

Divorce Lawyers Serving the people of Dutchess, Putnam, Suffolk and Westchester counties and New York City (including Manhattan)

The New York divorce attorneys at the Brewster office of Needle | Cuda understand that divorce is a stressful prospect and will help make the process as easy for you as the circumstances permit, giving you personalized attention and clear answers to your questions.

The core framework for a NY divorce decree requires resolution between the parties of three basic components:

  1. Determination of Spousal Maintenance (aka Alimony) and Child Support;
  2. Equitable distribution of marital property;
  3. Child Custody;

Residency Requirements for the parties of a New York Divorce

Attorney Kevin Brown New York Family Law Attorney; NY versus CT; Divorce Counsel Fee Awards; Spousal Maintenance; Property Division; Mediation and Arbitration; Child Custody; equitable distribution; distribution of property and assets

Attorney Kevin C. Brown

The following residency requirements for the parties must be met in order to file for divorce in the state:

  • Either you or your spouse must have been a resident of New York for a continuous period of at least two (2) years before the divorce case is started. This means that you must have lived in New York for two (2) years prior to filing for divorce.
  • Either you or your spouse have been living in New York State continuously for at least one year before the divorce case is started, and:
    • You got married in New York State, or;
    • You lived in New York State as a married couple, or;
    • The grounds for your divorce happened in New York State;
  • Both you and your spouse are residents of New York State on the day the divorce is started and the grounds for your divorce happened in New York State.

Residency of the Grounds for Divorce

There are seven (7) grounds, legally acceptable reasons, required to support a divorce action in New York State:

  1. Physical abandonment of at least one (1) year, or “constructive” abandonment (the refusal to have sex);
  2. Adultery;
  3. Cruelty that endangers your physical and/or mental well-being (safety);
  4. Imprisonment for at least three years during your marriage;
  5. Divorce after a legal separation of at least one (1) year;
  6. Divorce after a judgment of separation follow by a one (1) year period of livng apart (seldom used);
  7. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage lasting for at least six months;

Most New York divorces are based on one of these last three grounds also know as “No-Fault” grounds.

How to file for divorce in New York: key elements in a divorce action

A New York divorce begins when the plaintiff files either a summons with notice, which states the grounds for your divorce, or a summons and verified complaint, which sets forth the facts justifying your divorce in more detail. [The complaint is required if the divorce is contested, but the summons and notice may be sufficient if your divorce is uncontested.]

Either the summons with notice or verified complaint may contain additional requests for relief, including the following:

  • Child custody — Child custody involves both the physical and legal relationships between children and parents. Our firm handles all kinds of child custody disputes, including ones involving parenting time, education, travel, religious upbringing and healthcare, and we can skillfully negotiate and define an enforceable, long-term custody agreement that works for you, your children and your life.
  • Property (asset and liability) Distribution — New York law views marriage as both an economic and a social partnership. Judges are required to divide property as fairly as possible.

New York recognized two types of property:

      1. “Separate Property” –Property acquired by an individual prior to marriage; and,
      2. Martial Property” – Property that, in the absence of a prenuptial agreement, is acquired by one or both of the spouse during the marriage.
        • Involving an experienced attorney to advise you with the determination of marital vs. separate property is always prudent, as the related NY Statutes are extremely nuanced and compounded a variety of exceptions which allow for the acquisition of “separate property” during a marriage. Once marital property has been appropriately determined, a detailed accounting of marital assets must be produced that describes and values said property. This accounting becomes the basis to negotiate an agreement for its equitable distribution with opposing counsel or for presentation to the court for distribution of the property that is fairest to you.
        • It is also important to note that, marital property in a New York divorce is divided according to the concept of “Equitable Distribution.” [Further note: Equitable Distribution does not mean “equal” or 50/50, but rather fair.]
  • Child supportChild support is often pretty straight-forward, as its rules and amounts are subject to state guidelines based on both of the spouses’ incomes. However, courts may depart from those guidelines in appropriate cases, such as when your spouse is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed–or in instances with qualified special needs children.
  • Spousal Maintenance — A court is not required to award spousal maintenance, but when it does, calculating temporary alimony is formulaic. Post-divorce alimony is often more complicated, requiring a weighing of various factors on a case-to-case basis;

At our initial consultation meeting with you, we will get a firm grasp of your situation so we can give you a full explanation of the process, present you with your options, help you reach a conclusion as to how you should proceed and advocate for the fairest result.

Needle | Cuda’s New York practice serves clients in Scarsdale, Chappaqua, Larchmont, Pound Ridge, Armonk, Rye, Bronxville, Briarcliff Manor, Bedford, Harrison, and Tarrytown.

Contact our NY divorce lawyers for savvy and straightforward legal counsel

If you are going through a divorce in Dutchess, Putnam or Westchester County, or New York City (including Manhattan), Needle | Cuda is ready to help. We provide highly responsive service and effective representation focused on positive results. To arrange a consultation, call us today at 203-557-9500 or contact us online.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about New York Divorce?

Needle | Cuda expertly manages residency requirements, crucial for high net worth individuals who may have residences in multiple states, ensuring eligibility for filing in New York to leverage favorable legal outcomes.

Recognizing the stakes are higher, Needle | Cuda tailors its approach to either contested or uncontested divorces, focusing on discreet resolutions in uncontested cases or robust representation in contested situations to protect your interests and privacy.

The firm offers a bespoke filing strategy that considers the complexities of high net worth estates, utilizing sophisticated legal techniques to initiate the divorce process while aiming to preserve assets and minimize financial exposure.

With expertise in high asset divorces, Needle | Cuda navigates the equitable distribution of complex portfolios, using advanced valuation techniques to ensure a fair division of property, investments, and business interests.  Noting also that is essential to understand how marital property and separate property are treated in New York Divorce for purposed of asset distribution.  It is important to consult and experienced New York Divorce Attorney to explain the differences and help you bring forward your best arguments to the court.

The firm prioritizes the children's well-being while protecting your parental rights, crafting custody arrangements that reflect your lifestyle and the unique needs of your family while ensuring stability and continuity for your children under an enforceable agreement.

It is important to note that a Divorce does not bring end to family relationships. But rather, divorce presents an opportunity for you to re-define your family and create a new, healthy dynamics moving forward.

Needle | Cuda will help you develop and define a vision for your new life and family.

Understanding the financial dynamics of affluent families, Needle | Cuda strategically negotiates alimony to reflect the lifestyle and financial stature of the parties, ensuring fair and sustainable support arrangements.

The firm applies its expertise to navigate the complexities of high net worth child support calculations, ensuring that the financial needs of the children are met without compromising the fiscal health of either parent.

Yes, Needle | Cuda can incorporate a name change into your divorce proceedings, understanding that reclaiming your maiden name may be an important step in starting anew.

The firm values separation agreements as a strategic tool for outlining the preliminary terms of a divorce, serving as a foundation for amicable resolutions and financial clarity in high net worth cases.

The firm is adept at navigating the complexities of high net worth divorces efficiently, striving to expedite the process while ensuring thorough attention to financial and custodial arrangements.

Yes, with a proactive litigation strategy, Needle | Cuda can advance your divorce proceedings through contested channels, protecting your interests against any reluctance from your spouse.

The firm takes a holistic approach to the financial implications of divorce, addressing tax consequences, asset protection, and future financial planning to safeguard your wealth.

Leveraging in-depth legal and financial expertise, Needle | Cuda employs sophisticated asset protection strategies, minimizing exposure and ensuring the preservation of your wealth (including the use of prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreements, family trusts, etc.).

Needle | Cuda uses advanced investigative resources and legal maneuvers to uncover hidden assets, ensuring a comprehensive and equitable division of the marital estate.  We also have an extensive roster of forensic accounting, tax, valuation experts, and private investigators who assist in the financial discovery process and building evidentiary support for your narrative.

To file for a divorce in New York, you or your spouse must meet one of the following residency requirements:

  1. Continuous Residency: Either you or your spouse has been a resident of New York for at least two consecutive years immediately prior to filing for divorce.
  2. Residency Plus Marriage in New York: You or your spouse must have been a resident of New York for at least one year prior to filing, and the marriage ceremony must have taken place in New York, or you lived in New York as a married couple.
  3. Cause of Action Occurred in New York: You or your spouse must have been a resident of New York for at least one year prior to filing, and the grounds for divorce must have occurred in New York.
  4. Both Parties are Residents: If both you and your spouse are residents of New York at the time of filing, and the grounds for the divorce occurred in New York, there is no minimum residency requirement.

Yes. New York requires that at least one spouse be a resident for a continuous period of one or two years (depending on the specific circumstances outlined above) immediately preceding the filing of a divorce.

In New York, the grounds for divorce can be either "No-Fault" or "Fault-Based":

No-Fault:

  • The relationship between you and your spouse has broken down irretrievably for a period of at least six months.

Fault-Based:

  • Cruel and inhuman treatment.
  • Abandonment for a continuous period of one year or more.
  • Imprisonment for three or more consecutive years after the marriage.
  • Adultery.
  • Living separate and apart pursuant to a separation agreement for at least one year.
  • Living separate and apart pursuant to a separation decree or judicial separation for at least one year.

Yes, New York allows for no-fault divorce, which can be obtained if one party states that the marital relationship has been irretrievably broken for at least six months.

The duration of the divorce process in New York can vary. An uncontested divorce may take a few months, while a contested divorce could take a year or more, depending on the complexity of the case and the court's schedule.

New York follows the principle of "equitable distribution," which means the court divides marital property in a way that is fair but not necessarily equal. Factors considered include the duration of the marriage, the health and age of both parties, and the need of a custodial parent to occupy or own the marital residence.

Property owned before marriage is generally considered separate property and is not subject to division unless it has been commingled with marital property or contributed to by the other spouse.

In New York, automatic orders take effect when the divorce process begins. They prohibit both spouses from transferring or disposing of property, changing beneficiaries on insurance policies, or taking the children out of state without consent or court order.

Violation of automatic orders in New York can result in contempt of court charges, which may include fines, attorney fees, or other penalties as deemed appropriate by the court.

These adjustments make sure your FAQs are applicable under New York State law and provide clear, legal guidelines for those considering divorce within the state.

 

 

Important Links

Link to NY Courts.gog FAQs about Divorce

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