How to Get a Fast Divorce in New York
Aggressive, experienced Long Island attorneys expedite your divorce while meeting your goals
If you are considering divorce, you might be expecting a protracted, painful process, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can dissolve your marriage quickly and inexpensively, while protecting your rights. At Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C., we are the Long Island divorce leader and our attorneys know what it takes to deliver a fast, low-cost divorce. If you want to know how to accelerate the New York marriage dissolution process, come to the law firm that has helped thousands of New Yorkers start the next phase of their lives without unnecessary delays.
What is the best way to get a fast divorce in New York?
Divorces are most likely to go quickly when both parties agree on financial and parenting terms and opt for a no-fault dissolution. Historically, New Yorkers seeking a divorce had to prove some sort of misconduct on their spouse’s part, such as infidelity cruelty, or abandonment. Those issues required a hearing based on hard evidence. But after New York passed a law permitting no-fault divorce in 2010, a petitioner only had to assert that the marital relationship was “irretrievably broken.” Without the need to prove fault and no mandatory waiting period, a court can grant a divorce in as little as six months.
Verify your eligibility to file for divorce in New York
To divorce in New York, you must fulfill the residency requirement, which you can do in any of three ways:
- Either spouse has lived in New York continuously for at least two years before the filing
- At least one spouse has lived in New York continuously for at least one year before filing when either the marriage license was obtained in New York or the circumstances underlying the divorce grounds occurred in the state
- Both spouses are residents of New York and the circumstances underlying the divorce grounds happened in New York
You must present adequate documentation to prove residency.
Uncontested and no-fault divorces
A no-fault divorce is not the same thing as an uncontested divorce. Spouses can agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken, yet still dispute terms relating to custody, child support, property division and alimony. An uncontested divorce means that you have reached a settlement on those parenting and financial issues. Your ability to get a fast divorce in New York depends on how far you and your spouse are from completing a marital settlement agreement.
Steps to get a fast divorce in New York
To improve your chances of achieving an uncontested divorce, you should do the following:
- Consult with an attorney in advance — When you start the divorce process with an experienced attorney in place, you get good advice on how to proceed and can avoid mistakes that create animosity and delays.
- Identify your goals for life after divorce — If you are realistic about what you want to achieve in your divorce, your spouse is more likely to cooperate. Being clear about your goals provides a starting point for negotiations.
- Communicate respectfully with your spouse — Your marital relationship has broken down, but you still need to negotiate if you want to speed up your divorce. If you can’t communicate positively, you’ve got a slim chance of avoiding litigation.
- Have your attorneys meet and confer — Once your attorney knows what you want, negotiations can begin. Talks can be very stressful for the parties, so let your attorneys do what you’ve hired them to do.
Our attorneys help clients obtain a fast, low-cost divorce by negotiating fair marital settlement agreements that can be presented to the court, bypassing the need for litigation.
Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
Divorcing couples often use mediation to reach a compromise that enables them to obtain an uncontested divorce. In this method of alternative dispute resolution, the parties meet with a neutral third-party mediator who guides discussions toward reasonable consensus. The mediator does not represent either party and cannot give legal advice, so it’s best to work with an attorney who can prepare you for mediation sessions and review any agreement that results.
Common pitfalls and delays that prevent fast divorces in NY
The most common impediments to a quick divorce are:
- An uncooperative spouse
- Child custody complications, such as one spouse’s desire to relocate out of state
- A spouse living outside the jurisdiction of the New York court
However, in many cases, we can negotiate a marital settlement agreement before you even file for divorce. Fast, low-cost, and excellent results: that’s what you get from Bryan L. Salamone & Associates.
Trust the Long Island attorneys dedicated to excellent service and fast results
If you and your spouse are reasonably cooperative, Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C. can help you achieve a low-cost, uncontested divorce faster than you would imagine. To learn more about our firm's low-cost divorce services, call 1.631.479.3839 or contact our office online. Your first consultation is free.