Brooklyn Divorce Lawyers
New York Divorce Lawyers
Bringing your marriage to an end can be difficult both emotionally and financially, especially in the absence of solid legal representation. If dissolving your marriage is a strong possibility or if your spouse has served you with a divorce petition, a New York divorce attorney can be an invaluable asset. Your lawyer can assist you in determining the best options for handling your situation and reaching a favorable outcome in your divorce matter.
Our attorneys understand how difficult divorce can be. We make it our business to provide comprehensive divorce representation for you in this difficult time. With our legal team on your side, you can approach the situation with confidence. Our decades of practical experience will be an asset to you.
Why Should I Hire a Divorce Attorney?
Although you may think you can handle your divorce proceedings without legal counsel – perhaps you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are on relatively civil terms. While it is not at all impossible to negotiate the terms of your divorce privately with your spouse, retaining a divorce lawyer is an investment in peace of mind and a higher level of security protecting your interests in divorce court. Your New York divorce lawyer can provide valuable legal support, handle your administrative obligations, and help you explore alternative ways to resolve disputes as it becomes necessary. At the end of the day, hiring an attorney affords you experienced legal advocate who can verify that your case is moving in a positive direction.
By and large, divorce is rarely an enjoyable experience. There are divorce cases that will transcend the point where negotiation is possible and escalate to litigation. If litigation becomes necessary in your divorce proceeding in New York family court, assume your spouse will get themselves their own divorce lawyer. There’s no reason you should not put yourself on even footing. Your divorce lawyer can help you prepare for the proceedings to follow and live up to all of the court’s procedural requirements so your divorce can go as it should.
The Timeline of a New York Divorce
What starts the divorce process is when a married person files a divorce petition with the New York family court. Next, the court then dispatches a process server to formally deliver the divorce petition to the other spouse. This provides the receiving spouse an opportunity to respond. In the event that the other spouse does not respond, refuses to respond, or cannot be located, this could change the process. In such scenarios, a New York family court judge may grant a summary judgment in favor of the petitioner, decreeing the divorce without the unresponsive spouse having any say in the proceedings to follow.
Among the most common concerns among spouses preparing for divorce is the time required for the divorce to be final. In New York, no state-mandated waiting period exists before a divorce decree may be finalized. The timeframe required to complete divorce proceedings in New York relies completely on whether the divorce is contested. In a totally uncontested divorce, in which the couple holds minimal marital assets, have no children together, and are both in full agreement to the end of the relationship, divorce could be wrapped up in as little as six weeks. On the other end of the spectrum, a fiercely litigated divorce, proceedings could take months or even years for very complicated divorce cases.
The New York divorce lawyer will give you a rough estimate of how long it will take you to complete your divorce. Should you and your spouse be willing to collaborate and negotiate in a civil manner, it’s highly possible to significantly expedite your divorce proceedings. Looking into mediation with the help of your New York divorce lawyer can mean a much more speedy divorce.
Is Mediation an Option for Me?
There’s no real need to end your marriage in the throes of a bitter court battle if you and your spouse are willing to negotiate amicably. The mediation process is one of the most popular alternative dispute resolution methods for New York divorces. This process necessitates the assistance of a neutral third-party mediator, typically an experienced family law attorney who has no conflicts of interest favoring either of the divorcing parties. Your mediator will act as an overseer to the divorcing couple’s private negotiations. Their job is to keep the conversation focused and respond to the couple’s legal questions as they arise.
The parties may bring their own respective legal representatives to some portion or all of their mediation sessions. Working with an experienced New York divorce lawyer to assist in the mediation process can help things run more smoothly for everyone. The goal of mediation is for the the spouses to negotiate their divorce discreetly. Once they have arrived at a mutually agreeable set of terms, the mediator will verify that the proposed divorce agreement is sound. The spouses’ divorce lawyers may also review the drafted proposal as one final way to ensure fairness and protect their clients’ best interests.
Once the mediated divorce agreement is ready, it goes to a New York family court judge for final approval. Mediation only requires as many sessions as the divorcing couple needs to discuss all the terms of their divorce, including property division, debt division, and a parenting and support plan if there are children involved. It’s quite possible to finalize your divorce much faster than you would expect when you opt for mediation or collaborative divorce in lieu of costly and time-consuming litigation.
Bring a Legal Advocate on Your Team for Your New York Divorce
Whether you believe mediation is the right avenue for your divorce or you’re sure you will need to duke it out in court, the best New York divorce lawyer on your side can make a real difference in the outcome of your divorce proceedings. Your New York divorce attorney will help you figure out the best approach to the complex questions involved in your divorce, including property division, child custody, alimony, and protective orders, if necessary.
Our divorce lawyers can give you the comprehensive divorce representation you deserve to confidently navigate your divorce case. We understand how tough divorce is and want to help you expedite your case in any way we can, ensuring a favorable outcome for you in all the terms of your divorce agreement. Reach out to us today to get a free consultation with an experienced and reliable New York divorce lawyer to secure the outcome you want in your case.