Divorce

The end of your marriage can be a stressful time.  Finding a good lawyer can help ease your mind.  In court, it’s mostly about legal division of the assets.  But for you, it’s a big change in your life.

I will be here to guide you through the challenges and changes that come when you decide to move on.  What many people do not realize is that since 2010, in New York, you do not have to find any party at fault to get a divorce.  No one needs to hide in the bushes to take pictures of your husband with some other woman.  You don’t need to claim to be abandoned, or hurt, or anything.

What divorce is mainly about now is two things: (1) determining who gets custody of children, and arrangements for their well-being, financial and otherwise; and (2) dividing the shared assets of the marriage.  In New York State, most assets acquired during the marriage are considered marital property.  New York state law provides that when a marriage ends those assets are to be equitably distributed to you and your partner.  Equitable, however, does not necessarily mean equal.

Who gets what may turn upon who did what, and for how long.  Also, what used to be known as alimony is now called spousal support, and the partner who made less or stayed at home to watch the house may be entitled to support – but not forever.  There is a formula to determine how much support is given.  Child Support also turns on a formula, and depends on their earning capacity, instead of just their current earnings. 

You and your spouse, however, can agree that your property is divided in a way that both of you can live with, and provide for support payments that make sense for you.  A Separation Agreement can save you time and money.

Contact me today for a free 15 minute consultation.  The cost depends upon how complex your divorce will be.   Where you and your spouse agree on division of property, and there are no minor children, I offer a fixed fee option, so you known exactly what you will pay.  For more involved matters, I can refer you to attorneys I have worked with in the past.