When you need to be certain that you are able to handle a case regarding child support, custody and visitation or spousal support, you need to have the help of a lawyer in the city that is able to provide for you. An NY father's rights lawyer can be exactly what you need to get help, because they recognize that the courts are sometimes skewed in these situations and have the expertise to help you out accordingly. Think about these tips below in order to bring in the service of an NY father's rights lawyer that can help you
#1: Understand that you are on equal footing
Many fathers make the mistake of feeling that they do not have the same rights as the mother of their child. You have equal rights and opportunities to have your custody and visitation which is heard by the judge. Sometimes it takes the assistance of lawyers who specialize in these cases to know that your rights will be protected. This begins by understanding fully and completely that the law is not against you in this regard.
In the state of New York, you are able to file for either fought divorce or no-fault divorce. Regardless of the terms of divorce, it should have no bearing on your ability to be in your child's life, so hire a lawyer can protect your right.
#2: Hire the assistance of a quality law firm
Because New York City is such a vast area, you need to do some homework when reaching out to NYC divorce lawyers. By touching base with Todd Spodek, you will have access to a high-powered lawyer who works at a firm that has more than five decades of experience. Getting the help of this law firm makes sure that you take your parental rights seriously by leaving no stone unturned when getting legal assistance.
#3: Negotiate as much as you can no matter what
Lawyers aside, the best thing you can do for yourself when it comes to being your child's life is to negotiate with the mother of the child as much as you can. The more that you negotiate and come up with some understandings, the easier it will be overall for you to get the desired outcome from the case. You'd be surprised how willing the other party will be to put legal issues aside and come up with a way of operating that is peaceful and conducive.
If this is your situation
Stop reading. Start defending.
If you need help in this regard, you can get your lawyer to help with the negotiations. A lot of lawyers provide mediation that will lower the cost of your overall legal help, while also getting the best results possible. Taking this matter seriously will help you to avoid some problems in the process.
By getting the help of a lawyer in New York City who specializes in father's rights cases, you will have the chance to always get proper footing in regards to the law. Gender roles have been evolving dramatically in recent years, so you should never feel as though you are behind the eight ball when it comes to divorce, custody and other such issues. However, it is necessary to hire a father's rights attorney in New York City that can help you out.
Do I have to live in a state to get a divorce there?
This is a common question for people getting a divorce, especially people who may have heard about "Reno divorces." While it's true that a few states will allow you to obtain a divorce without legal residency (Nevada, contrary to the rumors is not one of these states), nearly every state requires you to be a resident to obtain a divorce.
State by State Requirements for Residency
The required length of residency to file for divorce varies from state to state. A majority of states require you to be a legal resident for a period that lasts between 6 months and one year before you can file for divorce. Below is a list, in ascending order, of each state's required residency duration for filing a divorce.
- No residency requirement--Alaska, South Dakota, and Wahington
- 6 Weeks--Idaho and Nevada
- 60 Days--Arkansas, Kansas and Wyoming
- 90 Days--Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, and Utah
- 6 months--Alabama, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin
- 1 year--Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and West Virginia
Providing Proof of Residency
All states require you to be able to prove that you've resided in their state for the required duration period. Legal proof of residency usually involves at least two of the following pieces of information:
- A current utility bill
- A current pay stub
- A current Driver's License or state-issued ID card
- Up-to-date car, life, or health insurance policy card
Exceptions to the Rule
Currently, there are only three states that allow people to get a divorce without legal residency: South Dakota, Alaska, and Washington. Don't assume that this means it is an easy process to get divorced in these three states. Each state still has unique requirements you must meet in order to file a divorce. Be sure to check state laws before you begin divorce proceedings.
Residual Issues of Divorce
Whichever court initially handled the divorce settlement will have jurisdiction over every residual issue of the divorce. These include, but are not limited to:
- Child custody
- Alimony
- Child support payments
Because of this, it's important that you file for divorce in your home state. Failing to do so means you will probably have to deal with high travel expenses, as well as the general hassle of traveling to another state for each court proceeding. This is definitely something to bear in mind if you or your spouse is considering filing for divorce in another state. If you need more information, speak to one of our top divorce attorneys in nyc.