Like in most other states, New York law calls for the equitable division of marital property when a couple gets divorced. It’s important to note that “equitable” is not the same as “equal,” although it can be in some situations. The focus is on creating a property division arrangement that is fair, taking into account what each spouse contributed financially…
Divorce is never an easy process. It becomes especially complicated and emotionally trying when one spouse has been physically or emotionally abusive to the other. Before you file for divorce from an abusive spouse, it’s important to be aware that there are court protections available to you. Especially if the abuse was recent, you should consider getting a temporary protective…
If you’re going through a divorce and have children who are either attending or preparing to enter college, you might wonder how you will handle tuition and other college-related expenses in your post-divorce life. The following are answers to a few of the most common questions we receive on this issue: Q: Are divorced parents obligated to pay for their…
One of the most important tasks to complete when going through a divorce is planning for your financial future. A part of this is determining your tax outlook after the divorce is finalized. Paying taxes is always at least somewhat complicated, but a divorce can make matters even more difficult. However, with the help of an experienced attorney, you will…
During a divorce, both spouses must be completely open and honest about the assets they own — and the value of those assets. However, trust issues are common for people going through a divorce, and some may have a hard time being certain they are truly getting a fair share of the settlement. This is one of the reasons the…
Divorce mediation is one of the most effective processes for keeping your divorce case out of the courts, which makes it a popular choice for divorcing couples. However, there are some misconceptions regarding the mediation process that might make people unnecessarily anxious. Below are a few of the most common myths related to divorce mediation (and the truths behind them):…
Mediation is often an ideal choice when working through a divorce, as it allows you to meet with your former partner and discuss key issues related to property division, child support, custody and alimony (if applicable). To that end, the choice of mediator could be the single most important decision you make during your divorce process. As you go through…
Although mediation is not right for every divorcing couple, it does offer several advantages over traditional, adversarial divorces. The following are five benefits of settling your divorce through mediation: It’s less expensive. In mediation, you and your spouse typically sit down with one family law expert who guides and documents your discussion. This means that you are paying for the…
Mediation is an increasingly used method of divorce that allows couples to work together to arrive at a mutual agreement on how to settle issues related to their divorce. In mediation, you typically work with one legal professional, who guides your decisions and turns agreements into a binding settlement. When mediation may be beneficial Mediation can be a positive, constructive…
If you and your spouse have come to a mutual decision to seek a divorce and feel that you will at least be on speaking terms throughout the process, you might consider going through divorce mediation. In this process, you will meet with a neutral third party to discuss how you will resolve some of the issues in your divorce…