Common Questions About Filing for Divorce in New York

How Do You Start a Divorce or Separation Action in New York?

An action for divorce, separation or annulment is started by filing a Summons or Summons and Complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. Then, the Summons must be served personally on your spouse and an affidavit of personal service must be filed in court.

What Are the Grounds for a Divorce in New York?

In New York, most of the “grounds” are based on the “fault” of one of the spouses. These are: abandonment for one or more years, cruel and inhuman treatment, adultery, or imprisonment for three or more years. The other grounds enable you to obtain a “no-fault” divorce. Other grounds include: living apart for one year under a separation agreement properly signed by the parties or under a separation judgment granted by a Court. The spouse seeking the divorce must substantially comply with the provisions of the separation judgment or separation agreement.

How Long Will it Take to Get Divorced in New York?

A simple uncontested divorce can be processed by the Supreme Court of the State of New York within two to three months depending on the county where you live. A complicated contested divorce, involving litigated custody, support, valuation and property issues can take from one to several years.

Are Common-Law Marriages Valid in New York?

Common-law marriages are not valid marriages in New York State. However, New York will recognize a common-law marriage that is valid in the state where it was contracted.

Approximately a dozen states will permit common-law marriages to be entered into within their borders. Each state has different requirements for proving the validity of such marriages.

According to New York family law, the New York court will extend recognition to out-of-state common-law marriages of New Yorkers. For example, it is sufficient to show some minimum contacts with a common-law marriage state in order to activate the law of another state. New York legal decisions have liberally interpreted the requirements for a valid common-law marriage in another state. New York cases have found that a common-law marriage was created by the couple during a brief visit to a common-law marriage state.

The law applied by New York in determining the validity of an out-of-state alleged common-law marriage is the law of the State where the marriage occurred.

What Is a Summons and Complaint?

A Summons notifies your spouse that a lawsuit has been started. The Complaint is a legal document in a lawsuit for divorce, separation, or annulment. It details the grounds for divorce, separation or annulment. It also states other relief sought such as: maintenance, child custody and visitation, child support, equitable distribution, declaration of separate property, exclusive occupancy of the marital residence, life and health insurance, attorney fees and expert fees to evaluate assets.

What Happens After the Summons Is Served?

Depending on whether or not a summons includes a complaint, your spouse normally is given 20 days to serve a “notice of appearance” on you or your divorce lawyer.

They will have 20 days to serve his or her answer to your complaint. The answer may also contain counterclaims against you. You have 20 days to reply to the counterclaims.

What Is Spousal Maintenance?

Formerly called “alimony,” spousal maintenance is also called “spousal support.” Spousal maintenance involves payments made from one ex-spouse to another.

What Is Permanent or Lifetime Support?

Lifetime support is maintenance for a period of time that is not fixed.

What Determines the Length and Amount of Maintenance?

New York State requires consideration of the following:

• Each spouse’s income
• Each spouse’s age
• The spouses’ property, including marital property divided at divorce
• The duration of the marriage
• The presence of children of the marriage
• The tax consequences to each spouse
• The wasteful dissipation of marital property by either spouse
• The earning capacity of each spouse, both present and future
• Whether or not spouse seeking support has the ability to eventually support themselves, in addition to how long it may take and what training is required to do so
• The lost or reduced lifetime earning capacity of the maintenance-seeking spouse as a result of having delayed or foregone training, education, and employment during the marriage
• Any transfer of property or impediment made in the consideration of a divorce or separation action without fair consideration
• Services and contributions of the support-seeking spouse as parent, wager earner, and homemaker
• Any other factor which the Court deems relevant

Do I Have a Right to See My Spouse’s Financial Records?

In New York, both spouses have the right to complete Financial Disclosure as to each other’s income, assets and expenses before the case is negotiated or tried.

If a Spouse Commits Adultery, Can You Get More Support or Property?

The role of marital fault is largely irrelevant with regard to the distribution of marital property. The statutory factors for the distribution of marital property and for setting the amount and duration of maintenance do not mention marital fault. Marital fault in general is irrelevant under the Equitable Distribution Law of New York and is considered only when it is so uncivilized or egregious that it shocks the conscience of the court. Even where the misconduct is egregious, it is just one factor among many which must be considered by the court. Examples of “egregious” misconduct are (1) the dissipation of marital assets by an addict, and (2) making a contract to have a spouse murdered.

How Is Short-Term or Permanent Maintenance Determined?

Short term maintenance is generally awarded where the spouse seeking support is able to be self-supporting, and it has been a relatively short marriage. The function of rehabilitative maintenance is to allow the recipient spouse an opportunity to achieve financial independence. Where permanent maintenance is awarded, the recipient spouse is older and often in impaired health. New York courts in awarding maintenance consider the length of the marriage, the ages, health and earning capacity of the respective parties. The duration of maintenance is most likely to be permanent in a long marriage, and rehabilitative in a short marriage. The marital standard of living is a factor for consideration in determining the amount and length of the maintenance award.

What Is a Matrimonial Agreement?

Matrimonial Agreements include Prenuptial and Post-nuptial Agreements, Settlement Agreements, and Separation Agreements made by the spouses. They are usually prepared by attorneys for the spouses.

When Can Matrimonial Agreements Be Made?

Prenuptial agreements are made before a marriage. Post-Nuptial agreements are made during a marriage and prior to a divorce.

What Is Included in Such Agreements?

The following may be included in a Matrimonial Agreement:

• Provisions for the ownership, division or distribution of separate property; provisions for the ownership, division or distribution of marital property; provisions for the amount and duration of maintenance.
• Other terms and conditions of the marriage relationship
• Provisions for custody, education and support of any child of the parties
• A contract to make a testamentary provision
• A waiver of the right to elect against a will

What Is Required in Order to Make Such Agreements Valid and Enforceable?

Prenuptial, post-nuptial, and separation agreements must be made in writing signed by both parties and acknowledged in a very specific way in order to be valid.

What Is Equitable Distribution?

Equitable distribution is a method for evaluating and dividing property obtained by each spouse during a marriage. New York State law requires that The Supreme Court must “equitably” (fairly) distribute all property acquired using marital finds no matter who holds the title.

What Is Separate Property in New York?

Separate Property is defined as property attained before a marriage. This can include gifts from a party other than the spouse, bequests, personal injury compensation, and more. However, if the value of the property increases, it can be considered marital property based on the other spouse’s indirect or direct contributions to its appreciation during the marriage.

Is Property Equally Divided in Equitable Distribution?

No, equal is not synonymous with equitable. New York is not a 50/50 community property state, which means that marital property must be distributed fairly, but not necessarily equally, between the spouses. The factors used to determine how to divide property are enumerated in the statute.

If My Spouse Stops Paying Child Support, Can I Stop Visitation?

No. If it ever appears that the custodial parent who receives spousal maintenance has withheld or wrongfully interfered with the other parents’ visitation rights, the court may decide to suspend their maintenance payments or cancel any arrears that accumulated during the time when visitation rights were withheld.

What Can I Do If I Can No Longer Afford to Pay Maintenance?

The Supreme Court of the State of New York and the New York Family Court may modify the maintenance provisions of a divorce judgment made on or after July 19, 1980 even where there is an agreement which continues to exist as a separate agreement after the divorce judgment is granted by the court. The modified judgment supersedes the terms of the prior agreement and judgment for such period of time and under such circumstances as the Court determines. The criteria upon which such modification may be ordered is “Extreme Hardship.”

What About Health and Life Insurance for Me and My Children?

The Court can order a spouse to:

• Purchase, maintain or assign a policy of insurance for health and hospital care and related services for either spouse or children
• Purchase, maintain or assign a policy of insurance on the life of either spouse and designate either spouse or children of the marriage as irrevocable beneficiary

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law

At Lois M. Brenner, Esq., we have had the opportunity to assist countless individuals with various family law matters. Over the years, we have noticed that many of our clients have similar questions and concerns. This page of frequently asked family law questions has been created to better inform our clients. We hope you find the answers provided here useful.

Learn More About Your Options Below.

What are the grounds for divorce in New York?

In the state of New York, an individual can file for divorce based on fault or no-fault grounds. Fault generally involves adultery, abandonment, or cruelty. No-fault can include irreconcilable differences or living apart for one year.

How long will it take to get divorced?

The divorce process depends on the cooperation of both parties. An uncontested divorce can be finalized in as little as three months while a contested divorce can take several months or years to finalize.

What is spousal maintenance?

Spousal maintenance, also referred to as alimony, refers to the amount of monthly or lump sum payments a spouse receives from his or her former spouse after divorce. Spousal maintenance can be permanent or temporary. It is awarded so that the spouse can maintain the same lifestyle enjoyed during the marriage while they transition to their post-divorce life.

How much spousal maintenance can I expect to receive?

The amount of spousal maintenance that is awarded depends on a variety of factors, such the duration of the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the contributions of the petitioning spouse to the other's career. For more information about spousal maintenance, please click here.

What kind of property is distributed during divorce?

Equitable distribution of assets applies to marital assets, which means assets that were acquired during the marriage. This can include real estate, retirement funds, and stocks. Our firm can assist you with protecting your assets during equitable distribution.

Why should I hire your firm to represent me?

You should hire us to represent you because we have more than 30 years of experience in handling all kinds of family law cases. Attorney Lois Brenner is a published author and has been featured on "Good Morning America," CNN, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and The New York Times. She is also an accredited divorce mediator who believes in giving our clients all the options available to them.

More Questions? Call (646) 663-4546 Today.

If you have more questions or would like to further discuss one of the questions mentioned above, please don't think twice about getting in touch with our firm. We can provide you with the answers you need to make well-informed decisions for yourself and your loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions